Another D.C. Suburb Aims to Densify

The D.C. suburbs seem to be fertile ground for some of the nation's most ambitious retrofit projects. The latest plan to be made public would transform a 1950's era apartment and retail complex in Silver Spring, reports Jonathan O'Connell.

2 minute read

February 15, 2013, 10:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With the region emerging from the recession as perhaps the strongest economy in the nation, and recent trends in population growth projected to continue, developers and planners are bullish on the potential to transform Washington D.C.'s inner suburbs into urbane mixed-used transit-oriented communities. We've heard recently about plans afoot for Tysons Corner in northern Virginia. Now comes news about plans by developer Tower Cos. to overhaul the Blairs apartment and retail complex in Silver Spring, Maryland.

"Silver Spring, like many of Washington’s suburbs, is quickly evolving to accommodate an influx of residents and shoppers seeking neighborhoods that are walkable and accessible to public transit," writes O'Connell. "The Blairs’ massive surface parking lot and steep slope make the area difficult to navigate on foot. For a property near the Silver Spring Metro and MARC stations, as well as a revitalized downtown area, Tower officials believed that it was time for a major change."

“The Blairs has had a suburban design, and it has been that way since the 1960s,” said Ed Murn, Tower’s director of development, adding that “what we’re trying to do is transition to an urban, transit-­oriented, pedestrian-friendly community.”

"Over the next 10 years, Blair Towers would be replaced by four much larger high-rise apartment buildings, ranging from 260 to 370 units each," explains O'Connell. "Tower hired Canadian architect Bing Thom, who designed the renovated Arena Stage in Southwest Washington, and Massachusetts planning and design firm Sasaki Associates."

"In all, the Blairs would go from having 1,371 apartments to 2,800. 'This is a suburb that’s becoming a city,' Thom said."

Thursday, February 14, 2013 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight