The Ballad of 14th and T continues!

With its new building finally secured, Room and Board is eager to plow forward and leave the property’s past behind it—-even when it includes Dave Chappelle, pentecostelism, a yoga studio/restaurant/comedy club and other exciting unrealized dreams. 

That story’s over. After four long, underutilized years, life’s returning to 1840 14th Street. It’s time to build a new top floor and possibly a green roof!

The company came before the Historic Preservation Review Board last week asking for design approval for its construction plans. The structure is a former  automobile showroom and repair shop constructed in 1919, according to the HPRB recommendation.

 Most of the building’s front renovation will aim to recreate the structure’s original look, with “signage inspired by the blade and pin-mounted letter signs shown in historic photographs,” according to the staff’s recommendation.

There are currently three above-ground floors. Room & Board wants to add another. “Clad almost entirely in glass, the addition will read as a contemporary penthouse, light in feeling and subordinate to the historic building.” This new floor would open to a roof deck, enclosed by a high glass rail. “The applicants are exploring the installation of a green roof atop the addition,” according to the application. 

The Historic Preservation Office recommended that the review board approve the design. The decision has not yet been posted.