Board approves revised design for conversion at 720 North Saint Asif Street with conditions

The Board of Architectural Review on Thursday approved a revised design that will allow conversion of a former office building at 720 North Saint Asif Street into residential units with expanded ground-floor retail. The board voted to approve the applicant’s certificate of appropriateness with conditions that the design team work with staff on the fiber‑cement siding texture, corner details at the central residential entrance and the railing color.

Applicant Lauren Riley of Walsh Clucci told the board the design team "made substantial revisions to increase the amount of retail at the Ground Floor" and to reintroduce a stronger vertical grid and a clearer residential entry to improve the pedestrian experience. Architect Ginny Crawford said the redesign "adds about a thousand square feet of additional retail" and showed updated renderings and material samples, including a textured fiber‑cement panel and black anodized window frames.

Melissa Cannon, vice president of the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association, addressed the board during public comment and said the neighborhood was "delighted with the change in commercial space," praising the project’s symmetry and increased retail.

Board members expressed general support for the changes while pressing the applicant to refine the simulated‑wood fiber‑cement panels (Nichiha) and the corner details so they do not appear artificial when viewed up close. One member asked staff to collaborate with the applicant “to refine the fiber cement siding texture and corner details at the centerpiece, the center entrance,” a condition the board included in its approval.

The board approved the motion on a roll‑call vote with all present members voting in favor. Staff will review the specified details before building permits are finalized.