By Nena Perry-Brown posted November 7th, 2018 on dc.urbanturf.com
While courtyards are nothing new for multi-family developments and have even been employed in pop-back rowhouse-conversion projects, a rowhouse conversion in DC is including a first of sorts for this type of development: a small private park.
A developer has filed a zoning application seeking relief to subdivide the lot spanning 1511-1515 A Street NE (map) and construct a trio of attached flats. Each attached two- or three-story flat will contain two units and will have access to a small rear yard shared by the two units.
Green walls will lend privacy to these areas, separating them from a shared green space surrounded by grass infill and brick pavers. This area will be adjacent to six surface parking spaces accessible by mechanized wood-paneled rolltop garage doors, and will be accessible to all future residents. Ram Design is the architect.
There were plans and building permits issued for an 18-unit apartment project on the site in 2013, but the project ran into community opposition. A zoning hearing has not yet been scheduled.