An Arlington review board focused on historic significance has unanimously voted against supporting a redevelopment proposal at the Inn of Rosslyn site.

Noting a lack of architectural resemblance to what currently stands there, the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) voted 13-0 last week against a planned project at 1601 Fairfax Drive.

The vote is unlikely to derail Monument Realty’s plans to build an eight-story residential building there. But it may result in design alterations before the project comes to the County Board in the fall.

HALRB members had no qualms with the project’s scale. However, they felt the design did not evoke the mid-century modern style of the 38-unit motel that has stood on the half-acre parcel for nearly 70 years.

A representative for the developer said the project is attempting to meet county planning goals that sometimes conflict.

“We’ve been balancing a lot of equities,” said Nicholas Cumings, a land-use attorney representing Monument Realty. “In several ways, our design was influenced by the existing building.”

HALRB members provided input because the motel, closed since 2021, is listed in the “Important” category on the county government’s Historic Resources Inventory .

That compendium of historic spaces lists properties in descending order of importance as Essential, Important, Notable, Minor and Altered/Not Historic.

While some of the sites included in the inventory are local historic districts and protected against redevelopment, the Inn at Rosslyn building is not.

Monument Realty purchased the parcel in 2022 and subsequently submitted a proposal to amend current zoning on the site to construct what is expected to be a 142-unit residential building.

Approximately eight units are expected to be designated as committed-affordable, Cumings said. No retail or commercial space is proposed.

The proposal has already been vetted by planning staff and by a site-plan review committee .

The next stop is likely a return visit to the site-plan review committee. From there, it will go to the Housing Commission, Transportation Commission and, probably in September, the Planning Commission and County Board.

Representatives for Monument told HALRB members they would inform the body if architectural changes were made based on concerns raised. If that happens, the panel could take a second look at the proposal and amend its recommendation.

Constructed in 1957 and originally named Motel 50 for its location adjoining Arlington Blvd, the property is an example of two- and three-story motels that sprang up across the nation in the 1950s-60s to accommodate the travels of a growing middle class.

The site is located about a half-mile from the Court House Metro station.