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NoMa and Capitol Riverfront are much better than the empty lots they are replacing.
But they will take a very long time to match the vibrancy and character of established urban neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Back Bay, Rittenhouse, etc.
So far they consist of generic 10-story office building w/ little retail and some condo/apartment towers (ie: Crystal City, Ballston)
Plus, I think people exagerate the time span required in urban building. Things always take longer than expected.
We have some stuff like that going up in West Side of Manhattan. But, at greater densities and easier to integrate into the existing cityscape. The LIC developments are a little more problematic.
Arena Stage just opened a huge new complex down there. It and the stadium will anchor the neighborhood by attracting bars and restaurants. That part of town also has good metro access.
It takes 10 years (minimum) to build up a neighborhood. It’s too early to tell.
Yes, the area is small...but its dense and it meshes well with its surrounding neighborhoods. In the same area that you covered n those pics, Philly has probably 200,000 people, at least. So, no. Center City has the 3rd largest downtown residential population at 100,000 people crammed in a small area. DC is largely office buildings and thus at night, the place becomes quiet. Center City is a true residential neighborhood full of bars, clubs, nightlife, restaurants as well as museums, landmarks, and skyscrapers all in one small area. South of Center City lies the very dense neighborhoods of South Philly.
So you are getting a bit ahead of yourself here.
I hate to tell you this my man, but almost the entire city of DC looks like a downtown area. The only way you know you're not downtown in DC is by the rowhouses. Even still there is an abundance of office space and downtown like infrastructure.
I hate to tell you this my man, but almost the entire city of DC looks like a downtown area. The only way you know you're not downtown in DC is by the rowhouses. Even still there is an abundance of office space and downtown like infrastructure.
If you mean density, I'd actually argue that the close-in neighborhoods in DC actually have greater vibrancy and density than the downtown proper. As to the infrastructure, you have some office buildings in and around Dupont, some in the commercial center of Georgetown, and some along upper Wisconsin and Connecticut avenues. But by and large, the building space and infrastructure doesn't really resemble the office canyon blocks of downtown. I doubt anyone strolling through Adams-Morgan, U Street or H Street would mistake it for downtown DC.
The thing about comparing Center City with downtown DC is that's it's not a 1:1 comparison. Downtown DC is, with a few exceptions, almost entirely commercial. And though areas like Penn Quarter and the K Street corridor are becoming after-hours destinations, much of downtown DC is a 9-5 type of place. Whereas Center City is comprised of not only the commercial downtown area, but more residential neighborhoods like Society Hill and Fitler Square, and nightlife hotspots like South Street.
I hate to tell you this my man, but almost the entire city of DC looks like a downtown area. The only way you know you're not downtown in DC is by the rowhouses. Even still there is an abundance of office space and downtown like infrastructure.
In what ways do Petworth or Brightwood look like a downtown area? DC doesn't even have a density that exceeds 10,000 people per sq. mile.
In what ways do Petworth or Brightwood look like a downtown area? DC doesn't even have a density that exceeds 10,000 people per sq. mile.
That is because of SouthEast DC as well as the parks everywhere. Rockcreek Park takes up a huge swath of land. The national mall as well. Look at the amount of park land in DC. If you don't see the downtown areas in columbia heights, connecticut ave., 14th street, H street, SW waterfront, capital riverfront, and the enormous site currently know as downtown DC, you must be blind.
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