1644 North Capitol Street NW, down from Engine Company 12:
What will the finished third floor addition to the existing 2-story Borf building look like?
What will the finished third floor addition to the existing 2-story Borf building look like?
Photo courtesy of Eckington resident JT Engelhardt.
Why is it called the borf building? Any relation to the graffiti artist? (I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question)
ReplyDeletedaniel,
ReplyDeletea few years back, the BORF collective ran an artspace out of here. heres a post about one event:
http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2007/05/borf-in-bloomingdale.html
and the name "Borf building" stuck!
ReplyDeleteYes. A few years ago Borf leased out the space and would have monthly shows. It was funny to have our neighborhood overrun with teenage punk rockers.
ReplyDeleteApparently the owner of the building offered it to Borf for free rent but in exchange for some plumbing and interior work.
Does anyone know what is supposed to be going into the popped-up Borf building?
ReplyDeleteThe pop-up looks ridiculous. Does anyone know the final plans? Is this the look that the community is hoping for? unimaginative pop-ups that reduce historic buildings to jokes.
ReplyDeleteI honestly hope there is a final plan that we can review. Perhaps this is an abberation.
Sarcasm is difficult to express on the internet, but I consider this a job well done in that department.
ReplyDeleteAs for the pop-up, I will reserve judgment until it is finished. There is a chance, however, small, that it will be one of the rare tasteful pop-ups.
I hope you're right ted. Always thought the BORF building was such a great space and was saddened to see the historic charm ruined with this popup. I'm not seeing how you can preserve the look of the facad with an extra floor. You would think the developer could take their pick of the several other spaces on N. Capitol with the square footage they were looking for.
ReplyDeleteSadly this is following the trend of all redeveloped buildings on North Cap. Aside from the firehouse which I believe is restricted by historic considerations, I can't think of a single major rehab that doesn't look like crap.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike. I think North Capitol Street's physical "improvements" have really screwed it in the long run, making it more ripe for a teardown and rebuild rather than preserve and enhance. This pop-up looks to be another step in that direction.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/jtedc/status/89118901933314048 check out new facade. I am pleasantly surprised. Does anyone know what the plans are for future use/occupant yet?
ReplyDeleteThe older permits say "mixed use". A newer one says "two family" flat (or something like that).
ReplyDeleteThis parcel is zoned C-2-A: "Permits matter-of-right low density development, including office employment centers, shopping centers, medium-bulk mixed use centers, and housing to a maximum lot occupancy of 60% for residential use and 100% for all other uses, a maximum FAR of 2.5 for residential use and 1.5 FAR for other permitted uses, and a maximum height of fifty (50) feet. Rear yard requirements are fifteen (15) feet; one family detached dwellings and one family semi-detached dwellings side yard requirements are eight (8) feet."
The zoning map lists the owner as Joseph T. Scheve, 1801 Harbinger Trail, Edgewood, MD 21040-1812. The property tax database lists the owner as Joseph T. Scheve Nellie Hubbard P.R.
Its 2012 assessed value is $249,000. The land itself is assessed at $85,000. For some reason, this is about HALF what standard rowhouse land in the area is worth!
Its Use Code is "42" ("Structure used primarily for ground-level retail sales; row, attached, or detached; with/without other uses; with/without living quarters.").
Its Tax Class is "commercial".