05 Phase 1 playground parcel G (1)

Project Description

Client/Builder/Developer:  Haverford Homes, Inc.
LocationRitchie Marlboro Road, Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, MD 20772
Market: Mixed Use – Townhouse and retail
Size20.67 Acres
Zoning: M-X-T
Density0.61 Floor Area Ratio overall, 275 townhouses, 10,000 Square Feet retail

Recent Projects

The Challenges

Westphalia Row is a GLW designed mixed-use residential and retail development that is located near the Capital Beltway and Ritchie Marlboro Road. Important design considerations were to reduce vehicular noise from the Beltway and a nearby exit ramp, provide road improvements along the adjacent Sansbury Road, maximize retail and housing density by adjusting the existing Fernwood Drive, and address “Gateway Entrance” requirements of the Westphalia Sector Plan. Further, our client wanted to develop the project in three phases to allow townhouse sales to stay even with land development construction.

The Solution

GLW provided planning, landscape architecture, engineering and surveying services throughout the entitlement, permit and construction processes.  The project layout is a high density, compact, urban design with a centrally located recreation center and numerous landscaped activity areas interconnected by sidewalks throughout the development.  A safe and efficient realignment of Fernwood Drive through the center of the property provided greater flexibility to lay out the residential, recreational and commercial blocks. Along the common property line to the Capital Beltway exit ramp a concrete noise wall was designed and constructed.  The noise wall was designed to look like brick and extensive landscaping was used to reduce the impact of the wall seen by homeowners and motorists. A special gateway sign and landscaping was designed to announce entry into the Westphalia Town Center area and to compliment the Westphalia Row project.

GLW created added value to the project by proposing to use an adjacent off-site surplus property owned by Maryland State Highway for a stormwater management pond.  A negotiated land swap between our client, an adjacent property owner and the Maryland State Highway Administration allowed a stormwater management pond to be built off-site but adjacent to the property resulting in a higher unit yield.