Falklands Chase is a garden apartment community in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Developed in the 1930’s to provide housing for the growing population around Washington, DC, the ribbon was cut on opening day by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The older section to the south of East West Highway (State Route 410), designed by Architect Louis Justement, designer of the Federal courthouse on Constitution Avenue, was deemed of greater historic value and placed on the Historic Atlas. The section to the north did not have the same level of historic value and was taken off the Historic Atlas, making it eligible for redevelopment.
The site is adjacent to the Silver Spring Station of the Metro Red Line, making it ideal for higher density in accord with County and State Smart Growth Policy. This sketch, done in ink and marker over a sketchup massing diagram, illustrates one way a higher density development might occur. Buildings along East West Highway would range between 60’ and 90’ to maintain compatiblity with the lower heights of the remaining historic garden apartments to the south, stepping up in height towards the rear of the property.
This view, taken from a sketchup model, shows the interior streets and amenities in the future development. The streets will have wide, tree- lined sidewalks with private entryways directly onto the street, creating a quiet, residential enclave separated from more active East West Hwy.
In this view the development along East West Highway is limited to 60’, with retail uses on the ground floor that activate the street. Wide, tree-lined sidewalks set back from high volume, fast moving traffic.
