Condo project 'benchmark' for new construction design.

As one of the first new multi-family projects to be built in Prospect Heights in recent years, the four and six-story, glass and brick two-tower condominium designed by Scarano & Associates Architects--i.e., The Washington Building at 35 Underhill Avenue, between Pacific and Dean Streets--is a benchmark for new construction in Prospect Heights, pursuant to the area's recent rezoning as a moderate density area.

Designed as two buildings with a shared cellar, separate elevators and stairways, the west tower stands four stories high and its eastern counterpart rises to six stories. In terms of height and massing, the 80,000-square-foot development has been designed to maximize floor area while addressing the architectural context of the surrounding neighborhood, which is primarily made up of low-rise buildings and brownstones. To accomplish this challenge, Scarano Associates designer Julia Pritzker and project manager Fanny Sahar utilized irregular building heights, extra-large windows and light-colored brick, thereby conveying a transparency that blends into the contextual vernacular of the area.

"We believe we had a responsibility both to the developer and the community," says Robert Scarano, principal of the architecture firm. "Since we were among the first to design a new building in this area, we were setting an important architectural standard. But we were also obligated to meet the requirements of the developer, 630 Realty, LLC. I believe our solution will be of great benefit to the area in terms of future design and on behalf of the developer, the units are already selling out although construction is not yet completed."

The 39 units at The Washington Building are unusually large for the area and range in size from 630-square-foot studios to 1,500-square-foot three-bedroom apartments.