Shedding Some Much Needed Light on the Planned Citadel Apartments
From Willis Shawver. Follow him on Twitter at @WShawver or email him at Willis[AT]borderstan.com.
A rendering of the Citadel apartments. (Photo by Capital Pixel’s Lori Steenhoek.)
What’s on your list of must haves when looking for a new apartment in DC?
Well, the new Citadel Apartments in Adams Morgan (1631 Kalorama Road NW) might have everything you desire.
Modern design? Check. Within walking distance of Mt. Pleasant and U Street? Check. Close proximity to a supermarket? Double check. Windows? Well, about that …
Urban Turf reports that Washington DC based developer Douglas Development plans to build 39 apartments in the space above Harris Teeter that once held the old Kalorama skating rink and bowling alley.
In order to maximize space in the unique domed, circular layout of the old skating rink, architects designed an outside ring of 31 apartments and an inside block of eight apartments.
An unusual quirk of those eight center apartments – no windows. Without access to the perimeter windows of the dome, the architects decided to incorporate skylights into the layout to allow for natural light.
Having lived in a few basement apartments in the District, I know how important natural light can be for the human psyche. Windows provide a connection to the outside world, a fresh breeze on a sunny day, and most importantly, an emergency exit in case of a fire.
And maybe it’s just me, but DC needs fewer windowless apartments and more roller skating rinks.
The apartments will be delivered sometime this spring.
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