Evening star., 1962-05-19
Shifts Bring Accord
On Watergate Plan
Fine Arts Group
Drops Opposition
To Development
BY ROBERT J. LEWIS
Star staff Writer

Star Staff Writer
NEW YORK. May 19.-Fine
Arts Commission opposition to
the $50-million Watergatej /
Towne development in Foggy
Bottom has been withdrawn
after minor concessions by the
developer.
Under an agreement yester-
day between three architect
Of the Commission
and representatives Of Societa
Generate Immobiliare, the Ital-
ian sponsor, the buildings will
be about 6 per cent smaller than
originally proposed and building
heights will be "modulated."
A start of construction of the
apartment, hotel and office
building development early next
year was promised after yester-
days last minute agreement re-
vived the almost-abandoned
project that will overlook the
Potomac River. /;
Next step will be for the
Commission to poll its mem,
bers-a formality-and to in
form the District Zoning Com
mission of its decision so the
coming group may act at it's
next meeting.
Brig. Gen. Frederick ].
Clarke. District Engineer Com
missioner, said Thursday he
hoped this could be done prior
to the coming groups May 20
meeting.
Accept Buildings Curves
At yesterdays session. the
Arts Commission members ac-
cepted the curvilinear charac-
buildings in a sharp about face.
In a further show of con1i-l
dehce Commission members
left future aspects of the design
in the hands Of the much-hon-
ored Luigi Moretti. professor of
architect at the University Of
Rome.
At the conference yesterday
In the Union League Club, for
which he made a flight from
italy, Professor Moretti was
spokesman In behalf of his
design for the project.
In view Of the massive and
repeated opposition Of the
Commission to the design over
a long period Of time. yester-
days agreement after a two.
hour discussion came as .
surprise.
Express Agreement
In a joint press release issued
by the two groups after the
meeting, architect members ex-
pressed agreement In prin-
ciple with the development Of
the site as designed by Profess
sor Luigi Moretti."
Further spelling out terms
the statement said the Italian
had agreed to q height
Of f30 feet for rs per cent Of
the buildings, with some or
part" of the total to be some
what lower.
Left to the architect was the
right to determine the height
Of the remainder of the high
rise structures so long as they
did not reach 100 feet or pro-
vide total floor area greater
than zoning regulations per-
mitted on the original site. not
including the area of streets
that are proposed to be closed.
A reduction Of almost 8 per-
cent in total floor area repre- |;
sents the developers principal |.
concession. Under it, the firm
has agreed not to seek any
of the additional floor area to
which it would be entitled,
under a coming formula, as a.
result of the proposed street
closings. r.,
The project will occupy a
site bounded by New Hamp-
shire avenue, Virginia avenue,
Potomac parkway. and F street.
Includes Town Houses
Included in the project are
three apartment buildings to
have q total Of 1900 units; q
300-room hotel. part residen-
tial and part transient. with a
restaurant and swimming pool
on the roof; a 200. .000-square-
foot office building. and 10
town houses.
Part Of the space would be
for rental and part would be
sold comparatively.
In addition. the developer
has proposed provision of
95. 900 square feet of CONNER
cial space, of which 10000
square feet would be under
ground and $1,000 square feet
would be on the ground floor,
including two restaurants.
Parking would be provided,
for 1880 automobiles in three
levels below ground.
The projects architect said
he expects TO have, "a fully de-
tailed and developed design for
the entire complex. with work
ing drawings prepared for the
first building" within six to
nine months. provided the zon-
ing commission acts favorably
in line with the Fine Arts de-
cision.
To Review Designs
The commission will review
individual building designs
when they are ready.
Representing the Arts group
were Ralph Walker and Doug
las w. Orr, both architects, and
Michael Rapuano, landscape
architect.
Present for the 99-year-old
Italian firm besides Prof.
Moretti were Gabor Acs. chief
architect Of the international
architectural planning office Of
the company, and Nicolas
Salgo, the firms representa-
tive in the United States.