The Greening of Urban Views For One West End, DC Condo Development

Guess what? It’s official -- Washington DC is becoming a beacon of “progression“. From its recent designation of "Widgetville USA", to an innovative "Urban Green" movement, you might as well call us the "Austin of the East.”

Urban Green?

Washington Post staff writer, Paul Schwartzman, covered this topic thoroughly in an interesting article on September 6th . Titled "In the Prettified City, Urban Grime Gives Rise to Green", he discussed the pros and "cons" of "concealing" unattractive urban sights -- sometimes using environmentally friendly materials.

Schwartzman highlighted 22 West, a DC luxury condominium in West End (just to the east of Georgetown), where some residents were to face "a weathered metal roof" that was the top of a local gas station. Instead, the developer of the condo planted a 5,000 square foot garden on the roof so that the view went from urban blight to urban chic. There was, of course, the added benefit to the environment of the many green plants that now call this site home and help improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Some Washingtonians Want Urban Grime?

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response, there were those who were displeased with the “urban beautification”. Schwartzman reported that there was a contingent of "urban aficionados", who see beauty in tar, steel and concrete, and prefer their cities a tad unruly." I can understand this sentiment to a point, but I also know that there have been studies that show a direct correlation between quality of life and enough exposure to “calming elements”, like mountains, or water - or in this context, a plush, green, garden. Even urban aficionados, who are looking for “edgy”, need peace and quiet every once in a while.

Then there were those who frowned upon this movement because they felt that there was a privileged class moving back into the cities that want to "control" the environment. They refered to this phenomenon as the "emergence of the designer city." Certainly, we don't want to encourage cookie cutter cities with designer gardens on every corner -- but I also see the sound logic in moving to a location where you can give up your car, walk to neighborhood restaurants and shops, but still have that pleasing view.

Regardless of some the criticism, as far as I know, there were no stop-work orders, no letters to the city council, no interference with the zoning board, and not one appearance from an ambulance chasing attorney. (Actually quite amazing for DC!).  And why no formal opposition? Perhaps because the powers that be (and likely much of the "opposition") respected the "product" as an innovation that was/is bringing value to the community.

There Should Be Plenty of Tar, Steal, Concrete, & Green For Everybody

Washington DC is large enough for all of us to enjoy - from "gritty", to "prettified", to anything in between. But I think the same can be said about any other city or small town. When any group is challenged with differences of opinions that arise from novelty (be it an idea, or any other "invention"), I think it's our responsibility to wear our “progressive badges” (grin) proudly and embrace/support pioneering solutions. Perhaps a wise Denver SEO Guru put it best with regards to "design", creativity, and understanding.

“...it takes humility and an eagerness to learn, to risk and to grow while the world grows with us."

Let’s all strive to continue to "live" these words – and for those of you still staring at that "weathered metal roof", I hope it’s the view you prefer.

Contributing Blogger - Kevin Koitz, who prefers the kind of "calming elements" one would find when looking at Sarasota Real Estate & Siesta Key Real Estate.

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