Case Studies

A collage of three black-and-white images of different buildings: a multi-story brick building on the left, a Victorian-style house with a turret in the center, and a large two-story house with a chimney on the right.

The Commons

Overview:

The Commons of McLean, a residential rental property in Tyson’s Corner in Fairfax County, Virginia, was designed by modernist architect Charles Goodman. Located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s most populated region, the 1965 apartment complex’s location made it ideal for replacement by a much larger complex.

Apartment building with balconies, surrounded by trees and greenery.

The original Commons of McLean garden apartments designed in the 1960's by famed architect Charles M. Goodman.

Challenge:

Balancing Fairfax County requirements to evaluate buildings potentially significant to Fairfax County history and help make the car-centric Tyson’s Corner into a walkable, environmentally sustainable community, property owner LCOR turned to History Matters to research the property’s architectural and historical significance and to prepare an objective documentary report of its findings for Fairfax County.

Solution:

Utilizing History Matters’ report, Fairfax County acknowledged that some parts of the complex were significant to its local history while still approving LCOR’s application for re-zoning of the property to allow modern, high rise buildings. As a condition of the re-zoning, Fairfax required LCOR to document the buildings and their setting and to create a lasting tribute to the architect Charles M. Goodman.

Result:

History Matters was able to facilitate Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation of the buildings set for demolition. This was a relatively rare instance of HABS, a division within the National Park Service, documenting a non-public development. The documentation is part of an archive at The Library of Congress. Fairfax County’s second request was for LCOR to create “a lasting tribute to the original architect of the property.” The request was vaguely written and could have required historic restoration of the properties set for demolition. An alternate solution was proposed and approved by The County. History Matters worked with a web design group to create the site, An Uncommon Architect. History Matters assisted in providing content and images. LCOR received approval on the zoning in time to meet the construction schedule.

An Uncommon Architect: Charles Goodman

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