Like many Apple lovers, we were delighted to learn that plans to open an Apple store in Georgetown are finally back on track. We were also intrigued by the back and forth involved in the design process; it was Apple's fifth design that finally met with approval from the local preservation board...
Given Apple's commitment to design in its products, we are not surprised to learn it spends the same effort trying to design its signature stores- apparently this latest effort includes an atrium with potted trees. Of course, it was just the design concept that was approved; we understand that the actual building permits will require another round of vetting by the Old Georgetown Board and the local ANC. If you share our interest in such issues, we recommend The Washington Post article about the great debate between preservation and development in Georgetown.
I actually grew up in DC with its complicated zoning and preservation laws, and remember the problems some families had getting approval to make changes to their homes in neighboring Chevy Chase, MD. It was only months ago that my own neighborhood wrestled with the question of designation as a historic district, a proposal that met with vocal opposition from many residents concerned about the future effects of such designation- concerns that appear to have merit given the process Apple has just endured...
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Do they really need an Apple store in Georgetown? There's one right across the river in Clarendon and in Pentagon City as it is. Is it that much trouble to go across the river?
view grafxnerd's profile
Colleen,
While DC does have relatively strict zoning and historic preservation laws and Georgetown tends to be even more strict, it is really important that you go back and look at some of the designs submitted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020501880.html
The final design that was accepted was much like the first and really should have been accepted. But the second and third designs were atrocious considering that even though that building was not historic, buildings on both sides and throughout the neighborhood are. I'm all for Apple coming into Georgetown and the process that they had to go through should have been handled much better, i.e. excepting the first design. This was the fault of one overzealous preservation board, but the process as a whole in DC is incredibly important and one to be appreciated.
view okeefew's profile
I can't wait for Apple to be in the District. I don't know how they do it, but I get a high just walking into any of their stores.
view Pixie's profile
You should know by now, Graf... DC residents don't like to cross the river. I am a DC resident, but lived in North Arlington for many years. I always thought it was funny how DC people acted like I lived way out in the burbs.
view ftpansy's profile
Oh I know they don't like to travel outside the district. I have a friend who almost never comes into Alexandria to visit! I can't imagine what it'll be like when I move to Reston!
The way I see it, putting an Apple store in Georgetown is just as difficult to get to as having them in NOVA. Atleast the NOVA ones are metro accessible. :)
view grafxnerd's profile
I lived in Peterborough, NH for a while. They have all sorts of preservation zoning, similar to other historic districs (only more rural), and they wouldn't even let a McDonalds in town, which was kind of a hardship on teens and others who just wanted a quick meal now and then (or a job, for that matter.) (Not that I'm a big Mac fan, but it's the principle of the thing...) I think a lot of people need to bear in mind that we don't live in museums, and that the world is in constant flux. A balance needs to be struck between keeping things "the way they were" and finding the new thing we are becoming.
view SherryBinNH's profile
Okeefew: I have to disagree with you; I think the second design is rather an artful solution to a new building in a historic neighborhood. It is striking and "disappears" allowing the actual historic buildings to shine.
Demanding that developers in historic neighborhoods develop only copies of historic buildings is the path to mediocrity.
view dtremit's profile
This happened in Boston too. Fortunately Apple won out. The building was proposed in the historic Back Bay neighborhood - which has VERY strict regulations. What was silly is that the building Apple knocked down to build the store was then housing a CopyCop - and had previously been rebuilt in the 70s. Only 1.5 walls were original to the building.
While I sympathize with preservationists I also think it can get rather out of hand. Some of the stricter Back Bay requirements prohibit even temporary displays: only small white lights can be used at Christmas, figurines are not allowed etc.
view Modfan's profile
grafxnerd: It's not going to be hard to get to; we DC residents _walk_.
I, for one, will cross the city limits northward (Bethesda, Silver Spring) but avoid crossing the river.
I don't like spending money where the taxes will support policies of which I disapprove.
Virginia treats its gay residents worse than any other state on the eastern seaboard (and is one of the bottom in the nation in that regard).
It has an open carry law; it's legal to walk down the street with a loaded shotgun.
MD and DC have agreed to direct funding of WMATA (our regional transit agency, that manages Metro(rail) among other things), which allows WMATA to tap federal funds that would match that amount many times over.
Virginia won't agree, despite the loss of federal money.
We have our reasons.
-RS
view Rahul S.'s profile