Comments on: MAN ABOUT TOWN: Ugliest Building Contest Winners

By: Andy Rankin

Andy Rankin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:43:14 +0000

Two quick comments:

#1) @no – I’ll weigh in as someone who likes the Flower Building (I’m not sure I love it but I don’t hate it or think it’s ugly). You talk about “classic elegant” – which buildings are you referring to?

As for the Podolnick property – I think technically it is currently owned by the EDA. I don’t know anything about the terms of the City Center deal but I assume that if it totally falls through the property would never transfer to Atlantic.

By: Ben Morris

Ben Morris — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:33:06 +0000

One building that is fine/non-offensive architecturally, yet needs mention, is the Technology Catalysts building on Park (I think I have the name correct, but going on memory). I have two issues with that building:

1) They have cheap looking yard signs telling people not to park there, hardly welcoming (and parking isn’t that precious at that area, it’s not like it’s next to the metro)

2) More importantly, there has been red spraypaint “Redrum” on the side wall for at least 2 years. Shouldn’t the city fine the building owner for not cleaning that up?

By: vlfrance

vlfrance — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:03:09 +0000

I think if the Read Bldg was placed next to the flower building, the latter wouldn’t stand out so much…they are basically the same architectural style. I don’t want to see 20 different architectural styles on the main drag, but I’d like some differences for visual interest.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:42:26 +0000

I think Anthony’s Restaurant could make the list.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:28:22 +0000

I’ve watched the city planning documentary on channel FCPA TV a couple of times. I’ve also watched some on the history of the Clarendon corridor on channel ACPA TV. One of elements of good city planning mentioned is incorporating architectural elements from current buildings into new ones. I guess these buildings would be the exception to that rule. I think Pearson Square, th Reid Building and Broadway do a better job at this than the Flower building. Since it stands out on it’s own, it reminds of the “Blue Goose” building at the corner of Glebe and Fairfax Drive in Arlington. For a while, the county was trying to knock it down. Now it belongs to Marymount and has been saved from the wrecking ball. I’m willing to bet the Antronics building had its admirers at one time. It could use a face lift. Kind of reminds me of the Dan Cain Building in Arlington.

By: Mary Lynn Hickey

Mary Lynn Hickey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:59:07 +0000

It seems that no one has a neutral opinion about the flower building. Without hesitation, reservation or apology, I love the LEED Gold certified flower building!

By: Charlie Anderson

Charlie Anderson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:13:18 +0000

Dear No:

Classic elegant! Please. This place is a hodgepodge mismatch of styles that fit only the developer at the time or an expansion of a building with no forethought (#4 on this list is an excellent example).

The flower building is a wonderful addition and adds something interesting to what is, aside from the historical properties, a mishmash of ugliness and poor architecture.

By: no

no — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:40:16 +0000

The ugliest building by far is the flower monstrosity where the new post office is located. Everyone I talk to, including all those who are not Falls Church natives, upon seeing that building gasp and say “That’s the ugliest building I’ve ever seen.” The other new constructions in Falls Church are not far behind in terms of being ugly. Why a city would move away from classic elegant, colonial style to an awful mix of art deco wanna be and who knows what else, we’ll never know.

By: Barry Buschow

Barry Buschow — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:28:52 +0000

I believe the approval Atlantic received is good for 3 years. The owner of Bowl America is good friends with the owner of Atlantic…so that can be easily done again. Atlantic is not done yet. Plus what about the city land that we gave Atlantic. Do we get it back??? Podolnick property next to the Post office…….My friend, only Atlantic knows what is next. The question is will the city buy it again?????

By: Jonathan Smythe

Jonathan Smythe — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:58:18 +0000

Barry – sounds like you’re not up to date either. As I understand it, Atlantic’s deal with the bowling alley is over absent city staff and commission approval by sometime later this year. Without financing, city center is over. The only question is what the city does with the condemned land. I think the city should move forward with the street realignments such as Little Falls to Annandale and Gibson St. Extended so that we are ready when the next development opportunity comes around.