Way back in April I stopped by a POWhat (a Capitol Hill Commmunity Group) meeting after hearing that they were fighting a Murray Franklyn on Pine and Belmont. Their issue is that this building is taking away Capitol Hill cultural business icons (like the Manray and Bimbo's Bitchin' Burritos) and not replacing them with niteclubs and businesses that add to Capitol Hill's personality.
Here's one quote from the group:
However, (Wade) Metz (of Murray Franklyn) made clear that the new complex would not include bars, given that homeowners will inevitably complain about the noise. Metz expects his company to retain control of the retail spaces to reap rental income. While he vows that his preference is for retail other than Subway sandwich franchises, tanning salons, and dry cleaners, he also indicated that the considerably higher rents will make it unlikely that funky neighborhood businesses become tenants.
Not surprisingly, the current architectural renderings of the complex reflect the homogeneity of the developers’ aspirations. The building appears blocky and bereft of true design inspiration. Skimpy, unusable, Juliet balconies adorn the elevations. An ineffective attempt at relieving the monolithic Pine Street façade is sought through the incorporation of a series of tiered shallow setbacks, allowing the sidewalk to become wider at the downhill Summit Avenue corner.
Read more stories about the Pine and Belmont building on Urbnlivn.com
Drawing of Murray Franklyn's proposed Capitol Hill condo at Pine and Belmont
