WASHINGTON — Georgetown wants a new front door (and back door and side doors).
The Georgetown Business Improvement District has chosen a design partner for its Georgetown Gateways Project — a partner right in the BID’s own backyard.
Georgetown-based architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle has been selected to help develop plans to enhance the major entry points into Georgetown’s commercial district — namely, K Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, M Street, the Key Bridge and Wisconsin Avenue.
The project is part of the Georgetown BID’s 15-year action plan called Georgetown 2028, which aims to alleviate the uncertainty visitors experience in navigating Georgetown’s commercial district.
Beyer Blinder Belle will work with businesses, residents and regulatory agencies to develop what the Georgetown BID calls architectural, place-making and way-finding elements that will reflect the character of the neighborhood.
“Georgetown’s architectural character is already distinct, but there are opportunities to enhance the experience of arriving in Georgetown,” said Jamie Scott, Georgetown BID economic development manager. “We are confident Beyer Blinder Belle will design gateway elements that are distinctive and contemporary but also respectful of this character.”
Bayer Blinder Belle’s work in Georgetown includes designing 1055 High, the pricey condo building at 1055 Wisconsin Avenue. It has worked on Central Place in Rosslyn, the luxury Hepburn apartment building in Dupont Circle and the Union Station Redevelopment Master Plan.
Gateway designs should be done by the end of this year, and implementation will start in phases in 2018.
