Clinging to antiquated urban notions, the District’s building height regulations imagine a skyline filled with spires, domes and minarets. — Washington Post
The debate over the Capital's skyline should not pit preservationists against contemporary designers. In fact, regulations that take advantage of the rooftop space would contribute to the monumental character of the city.
2 Comments
There are good reasons to reconsider DC's height limits (in certain areas) in order to increase housing density, but the critique that it's architecturally boring seems silly. I always thought the regularity is one of the pretty things about DC, and many old city centers. Allowing buildings to go higher doesn't make them more interesting.
Plus the view along the mall with only the Washington Monument and Capitol sticking above the horizon is great. From an aesthetic perspective tall buildings won't improve this.
I imagine if the code is loosened up and requires tall buildings to look "interesting" we'd get something like Dallas.
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Could not have said it better.
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