New three-story commercial building proposed by Union Station

Only a few blocks away from Union Station and Stanton Park, there are plans to construct a brand new commercial building for The Heritage Foundation.

The existing “unattractive, two-story, nonconforming retail building,” as described in the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) documents, dates all the way back to circa 1952. To make way for the new building, located at 226 Massachusetts Avenue NE, the existing structure will be razed.

The new building will span three stories and will connect to the meeting space in the adjacent office building. The fourth story of the office building will connect to the third story of the proposed building, while the third story of the office building will connect to the second story of the proposed project. For the new building, a rear patio will be developed along with a rooftop deck that will be accessible from both buildings.

In the developer’s application to the BZA, they requested relief from rear yard requirements, height requirements, and parking space requirements. Rather than meet the maximum permitted height of 40 feet, the proposed height is 44 feet. Despite the project requiring five parking spaces, the developer also hopes to not have any parking at all.

The Heritage Foundation currently owns and occupies the adjacent two office and residential buildings to the west of the property.