ANC Approves "Pillar of Fire" Memorial for Whitman Walker Site at 14th and S

At the August meeting of the ANC, the Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed "Pillar of Fire" memorial for the Whitman Walker site at 14th and S Streets, now the District Apartments under construction.  It is a sculpture with 360 layers of cut and polished float glass post-tensioned into a steel base and then into a concrete footing.  The multi-faceted piece will catch the light from many directions and will be nocturnally illuminated to reveal slowly changing colors to represent an abstraction of the rainbow flag (see the illustration above).  The Historic Preservation Review Board and the ANC asked that a permanent memorial be placed at that corner to remember what was there before the JBG Companies purchased the property for redevelopment.

For those of us who have lived here a long time, we will always remember the Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.  And for our new residents, this memorial (along with the accompanying plaque) will help inform them of the history of this corner in our neighborhood.  We welcome this creative addition to our Arts District.

Demolition Begins at Whitman Walker Site

Today the wall of the laundry at the corner of 14th and Swann Streets fell as demolition continues at the Whitman Walker clinic site...the home of the new DISTRICT CONDOS by The JBG Companies. The 125 units will be completed in June 2012. I am pleased that the revitalization resumes on 14th Street...after all the planning that has been done in the past few years!

JBG to Begin Construction of Whitman Walker Condos

Later this month the JBG Companies will begin demolition of the buildings along 14th Street at the site of the former Whitman Walker Clinic at the corner of 14th and S Streets, according to James Nozar, Project Manager. The original anchor building, the former Hudson apartments, will remain and will be renovated (seen at the lower left in the drawing above). The plans for the JBG project were approved about two years ago that include spaces for a major restaurant and retail shops on the ground floor which will span the entire block up to Swann Street. The 125 units will be smaller in size than conventional condominiums, offering purchasers an opportunity to buy a condo in the neighborhood at a slightly lower price. There will be underground parking on two levels for residents and shops.

When the Historic Preservation Review Board approved the project, they asked that a memorial be created and placed in the lobby of the anchor building to commemorate the former Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.