847-848 Fairfax Avenue

In collaboration, DBA and Paulett Taggart Architects took a creative approach to two development lots (Blocks 7 and 11) within Phase II of the Hunters View Master Plan, integrating the sites as one to strategically distribute density and create a fine-grained community with a sense of organic diversity.

Anchored by apartment buildings at 847 and 848 Fairfax Avenue, the design includes 107 affordable family apartments and townhomes in six buildings across two steeply sloped city blocks.

At the top of the hill, the two accessible five-story apartment face are sited across from each other on the most level portion of the site. Row houses with residential stoops step down the steeper adjacent streets to the north and south. This design anticipated the development of the adjacent block (901 Fairfax at Block 10, completed in 2018) by the same team. 901 Fairfax joins this housing to provide additional homes as well as a neighborhood hub featuring a community center, child development center with day-care, and health clinic.

The project incorporates one-for-one replacement of the previous homes, plus additional much-needed housing on the one-acre site. Of the 107 new homes, which range from one- to four-bedroom, 80 were reserved for existing tenants at Hunters View and those on the Housing Authority waiting list.  

The goal was to create a dense, practical, cohesive, and wonderful place that supports comfort, growth, and a sense of pride.