A recent issue of apartment industry publication Multi-Housing News discusses a development about to take shape in the Adams Morgan area. The imposing, nearly century-old, neoclassical First Church of Christ, Scientist building at the corner of Euclid and Columbia streets will be reborn as a mixed-use condominium building. The newly monikered Unity Square Condominiums is a $27.5 million redevelopment, headed by the church, in partnership with Chevy Chase-based First Management Group. The church will retain some worship and community space along with 69 new condominium units, priced from about $450,000. Ten condominiums are planned as affordable units, to be offered to current Adams Morgan residents that qualify under certain income limitations.

According to the November 2005 issue of the InTowner, area residents were initially concerned by rumors that the building would be torn down in order to build a modern-style condominium building. Forty units will occupy the original building, with the remainder slated for a new, five-story addition designed by Maryland architect Berny Hintz to blend in with the historic building. The developer plans to apply for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, citing such sustainable building techniques as a green roof, the use of recycled building materials, and environmentally conscious stormwater management techniques.

The church’s plans came before the Board of Zoning Adjustment on July 11; construction is scheduled to begin in the fall, with occupancy slated for spring 2008.

Project image from the First Management Group website.