Back in December, when we last visited 22nd & Pennsylvania, the Best Western Hotel had closed its doors, suggesting redevelopment of the parcel could be on the way. This property, in case you've forgotten, is slated to become Rodin Square, an exciting mixed-use development that will be quite an upgrade over the unattractive hotel we have today. We first gave you the lowdown about it last summer. First time you're hearing about this project? Here's a refresher.
The project is designed by MV+A Architects and will include a huge new Whole Foods, relocated from a couple blocks away. The grocery store will front Pennsylvania Avenue, and will dwarf the current store, which is often bursting at the seams with customers. It will also overcome a common complaint at the Callowhill Whole Foods, offering 172 dedicated parking spots. But we have a feeling the parking demand will eventually expand to fill the space its given. Such is life.
Along with Whole Foods, the project will have a couple of additional retail spots. It should be interesting to see what kind of tenants fill 'em. Also, as you've probably figured from the renderings, there's a significant residential component. There's gonna be 293 apartments over nine stories, to be exact. The apartments will have almost 1:1 parking in an adjacent garage which will also have bicycle parking. As you might expect, there will be plenty of amenities for the residents. Most of those, like a pool for example, will be located on the roof of the Whole Foods.
So why are we bringing up this project today of all days? Well, a reader was kind enough to tip us off that a construction fence recently appeared around the doomed Best Western Hotel.
This gives us a pretty good indication that demolition should be taking place sooner rather than later, and construction on Rodin Square will follow in short order. How exciting it will be, to see that handsome building rise! And furthermore, how exciting it will be (in 2016, we'd guess) to purchase some organic kale in a larger, fancier, and slightly less crowded supermarket!