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Washington D.C. Development News

853K views 4K replies 208 participants last post by  Anday 
#1 ·
Well, here it is. All news pertaining to economic development within the Washington, DC CSA should be posted under this thread.

Tall order. I know. After all, the capital of the Free World has yet to see its own development thread while cities containing half its importance are up to their second and third thread. I don't want to sit here and be philosophical, but I think this might have something to do with the fact that very few residents of DC and its surrounding area are passionate about this city. Those that are, it seems, are not the kind of people to post messages on a development forum.

But Washington and its burgeoning have much to offer. Truth be told, Washington should probably be combined with Baltimore and given its own section alongside Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Florida and Miami.

Here is a guide to the Washington Region


The city proper is the seat of the most powerful government the world has ever known. Beyond the Mall, though, lies more than federal buildings and world-class museums. Downtown DC is the third largest in the country, trailing only Midtown New York and the Loop in Chicago. In the market to buy space in one of these low-rise buildings? Be prepared to pay prices rivaling and in most cases (Midtown, New York, being the foremost exception) surpassing those of the top markets in the country.

For a long time that was all there was to Washington. Sure, there was always bucolic, west-of-Rock Creek Park Northwest Washington, with its Mansions and McMansions and eclectic neighborhoods. But the area lying immediately east of the park and on to the eastern boundaries of the city plunked down into a seemingly interminable funk. Some bright spots, like chic and diverse Adams Morgan, managed to beat the depression, but overall the area experienced vicious and long-lived decline. There are conflicting sources of blame for this meltdown. Most, however, track it back to the '68 riots, which rampaged formerly picturesque and thriving neighborhoods with violence. Left in utter chaos, little was done to replace what was destroyed by this epic urban disaster. Most whites living in these tracts of newly formed urban blight shut down their businesses and left the city altogether. What was left was brown, black, and broke. Drugs predominated, especially in the crack-cocaine laden '80s. And Mayor Marion Barry was often focused on his own misdeeds, leaving the city without a true leader to shepherd it through the thicket of mismanagement, decay and decline.

The turnaround, like so many other turnarounds, came with the booming economy of the '90s and, perhaps most importantly, a new mayor. The economy picked up pace around '94 and took off in '95, and Anthony Williams, CFO officer at the time, became mayor in 1999. Drafted by upper-middle class Hillcrest residents (a southeast Washington community now intent on transforming a typically urban-ghetto shopping center into a shopping destination with national retailers, such as Target) and other reformers, Williams took the reins of the city out of the hands of Congress and into his own.

Since then, communities all around Washington have boomed. In particular, those areas just east of Rock Creek Park, and situated slightly north of Downtown have reinvented and redeveloped rapidly. The 14th street corridor, once the token urban wasteland, has transformed into a condominium strip, with new, gleaming-glass condos going up quicker than paint can dry on ones just finished. U St, has also seen an explosion of residential development, as well as chic small businesses, a definite relief from all-too-common national chains. Further down the development list are the communities of Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, LeDetroit Park, Shaw, and Petworth- located all in the city's Northwest quadrant.

Downtown is expanding. As rental rates and space squeeze out tenants in the traditional and established Downtown DC, newer sections are added on. NoMA, or North of Massachusetts Avenue, behind Union Station and in most estimations bordered to the north by New York Avenue, is seeing plan after plan for residential and commercial properties come into fruition. Located here will be the new ATF and SEC headquarters. Mount Vernon Square, the area currently only comprising of the massive Convention Center and some residential units, is being rediscovered. Plans for several commercial properties have been submitted and the area just a few blocks west has at least 5 condos under construction. The building boom has even stretched across the national Mall into formerly staid Southwest and Southeast (WEST of the Anacostia River) Washington. The planned stadium for the Nationals (Washington's baseball team) will be located in that vicinity. Generally, areas to the west (Georgetown, West End, Foggy Bottom) and the Northwest (Adams Morgan, Kalorama, Dupont Circle) are already built-out and therefore generally unavailable to developers (though there are still many condo projects under construction in these neighborhoods).

The Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest quadrants of Washington lag behind pricey Northwest, but are still seeing a massive wave of frenetic economic development.

Included in this thread is the region surrounding Washington. The inner counties of Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia used to be counties Washington proper, but both were given autonomy in the 19th century. Currently home to well-established neighborhoods and commercial corridors, each has appreciated so much in value that, to live here, one should expect to pay well in excess of 400,000 for housing. A new single family home would fetch, in most cases, at least a million dollars.

There are two mega-counties that stretch from close-to-DC to nearly exurban, by virtue of size. Fairfax county, in Northern Virginia, has over 1 million residents and houses the bursting-at-the-seams Tysons Corner and Reston. While the county depends on the federal government a great deal (and its principle Congressman, Rep. Tom Davis, is highly influential) for its prosperity, an even larger contributor is the private sector, including high-tech companies Oracle, AOL-Time Warner, and Sprint-Nextel. Housing here is ideal- with excellent schools, an extensive roadway system (traffic is still extremely poor), fantastic retail anchored by Tysons Corner, and a growing public transportation system. The cost fits the amenities, with an average house selling in the mid-400s. A new or newer single family home is usually in excess of 800,000. Sitting to its north is Montgomery County, Maryland. Comprised of about 950,000 residents (predicted to top 1,000,000 in a scant 5 years or less) Montgomery County is one of the premier biotech centers in the nation. The National Institutes of Health drives this statistic, as many of its employees leave to form for-profit companies nearby. Third only to Washington, DC, and Tysons Corner, VA in regional importance is Bethesda, MD. Home to the hotelier Marriott and Lockheed Martin, among others, Bethesda is perhaps the crown jewel of the Washington area for fine dining and shopping. Its main corridor, located along Wisconsin Avenue (which stretches from Georgetown in lower-Washington to Rockville, MD) has attracted Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Burberry, Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano's, and many more. A new project has signed on more pricey names and is scheduled for completion within the next two years. As a whole, Montgomery County real estate booms along, erecting tall condominium projects, townhouses-with-elevators, and single family homes indistinguishable from each other and large enough for two or three families. Mansions rise in Bethesda, Potomac, and Darnestown. McMansions rise in Olney, Burtonsville, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and many other communites. The council in Montgomery County has done a good job of planning growth. Large, well-planned communities are popular here. There's Kentlands, Lakelands, Arora Hills and Clarksburg. Housing prices vary a bit in the county, but expect to spend, on average, 400,000 for a new home. New and newer homes fetch far more, on average 650,000. In a predicted 5 years, average pricing on new single family units is expected to hit the million-dollar benchmark.

Prince Georges County, Maryland, east of Washington, suffered the same problems as east-of-the-river Washington. A majority-black county with the highest average household income in any majority-black county in the country, it nevertheless had image problems that tended to keep national developers out. Recently, however, development has picked up. Housing units are going up fast, especially in Laurel, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, and other eastern county communites. Toll Brothers began its McMansion expansion into the county with Cheltenham Estates in Upper Marlboro, and has more communities in planning. Large, planned communities are popping up. Oak Creek and Beech Tree in Upper Marlboro, are only two examples. To anchor all this residential growth, there is the new National Harbor development on the banks of the Potomac River in south county, a 2 billion dollar project. And, in north county, Konterra- a planned oasis of residential neighborhoods, a town center resembling Reston Town Center in Fairfax, and an upscale mall.
Houses here are among the most affordable in the region, though inner-beltway communities depress the average score- about 250,000. Outside the beltway, houses usually run about 300,000 for an older home, 400,000+ for a new or newer home.

Further to the north, between Washington and Baltimore, is Howard County. With the highest household income in the country (though this changes from survey to survey- another stated Prince William County as having the highest household income) Howard is centered primarily around the planned city of Columbia, MD. Howard County is principally a residential region interspersed with national security firms. Houses range from affordable to exorbitant, with an average at 375,000. The western end of the county includes exurban communities of Washington.

Prince William and Loudoun Counties in NoVA benefit from both Washington and the job centers in other parts of northern Virginia. Both are exurban communities. A key aspect of exurban communities is affordability. And neither meets this goal. With houses ranging from 400,000 for a townhouse to 1,000,000+ for single family homes, prices here are among the steepest in the region, esp. in Loudon. Picture-perfect planned communities are most popular. Strip malls stretch for miles with virtually every national retailer (especially big-boxes) well represented. Both are criticized for unending McMansionvilles but that doesn't stop people from moving in. Loudon County topped the list of high-growth counties in the latest census, and Prince William was close behind.

Other counties included but not covered are Anne Arundel, Charles and Frederick in Maryland. Stafford, King George, and Fauqier in Virginia. Clarke in West Virginia.

AND.......WE'RE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!11 :runaway:
 
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#2,059 ·
Massive 1,550 Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed Near Rhode Island Avenue Metro

Massive 1,550 Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed Near Rhode Island Avenue Metro

Urban Turf
July 15, 2015


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"A massive project that will bring almost 1,600 residential units to DC has been proposed near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station. The planned unit development was filed with the city on Wednesday.

The development proposed by a group led by MRP Realty, will be built on the site of Rhode Island Center, a shopping mall that is now home to stores like Big Lots and Forman Mills. The project will consist of a whopping seven residential buildings totaling 1,555 units, and will be built over six phases. Eight percent of the residential units will be set aside as affordable, and every building will be anchored by ground-floor retail. As proposed, there will be approximately 2,000 parking spaces built for the new residential and retail components..."


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...proposed_near_rhode_island_avenue_metro/10124
 
#2,060 ·
Massive 1,550 Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed Near Rhode Island Avenue Metro

Urban Turf
July 15, 2015


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"A massive project that will bring almost 1,600 residential units to DC has been proposed near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station. The planned unit development was filed with the city on Wednesday.

The development proposed by a group led by MRP Realty, will be built on the site of Rhode Island Center, a shopping mall that is now home to stores like Big Lots and Forman Mills. The project will consist of a whopping seven residential buildings totaling 1,555 units, and will be built over six phases. Eight percent of the residential units will be set aside as affordable, and every building will be anchored by ground-floor retail. As proposed, there will be approximately 2,000 parking spaces built for the new residential and retail components..."


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...proposed_near_rhode_island_avenue_metro/10124
I wonder how much these units will be going for.
 
#2,061 ·
16-Screen Movie Theater Signs Lease at The Yards, Construction Begins in 2016

16-Screen Movie Theater Signs Lease at The Yards, Construction Begins in 2016

Urban Turf
July 16, 2015


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"On Thursday, Forest City announced that it had signed a lease with Showplace Icon Theaters for a 16-screen movie theater at The Yards. Construction is expected to start next year with completion in 2018.

Like most new movie theaters, the Showplace Icon will be on the high-end side with recliner seats and reserved seating.

“The facility will also have exclusive VIP levels with adults-only access and tables for enjoying food and beverages inside the auditoriums,” a press release said. “The theatre’s Lobby Lounge will feature a full bar, along with a tasty menu of appetizers, small plates, snacks and desserts for enjoying before, during or after the show...”

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...at_the_yards_construction_begins_in_201/10130


Showplace Icon Theaters Lease Signed; Projected 2018 Openinghttp://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm/4234/Showplace-Icon-Theaters-Lease-Signed-Projected-2018-Opening/
http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm/4234/Showplace-Icon-Theaters-Lease-Signed-Projected-2018-Opening/
 
#2,062 ·
First major employer agrees to move to District’s Southwest Waterfront

First major employer agrees to move to District’s Southwest Waterfront

By Jonathan O'Connell
July 16, 2015
Washington Post


Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

"Developers of the District’s Southwest Waterfront successfully convinced operators of a luxury hotel, a slew of restaurants and a 6,000-capacity concert hall to sign on for space in their $1.2 billion project.

What they’ve been missing is an employer willing to relocate its operations there, one with enough workers to generate lunchtime business for the restaurants and create a lively daytime presence on the waterfront boardwalk.

Now the companies behind their project, developer PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette, have that too. The companies convinced the American Psychiatric Association to move its headquarters of about 220 employees to Southwest D.C. from Rosslyn..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...es-to-move-to-districts-southwest-waterfront/
 
#2,063 ·
Georgetown Day School --Tenley campus

The Georgetown Day School has published site plans and renderings for its campus plan for expanding its current Tenley campus on the site of the Safeway grocery store, as well as adding new retail and residential development on the site of the now-vacant Martens car dealership. This is on one of the higher locations in DC and this particular site is on a slope of on Wisconsin Avenue, so it has the potential of creating a striking entrance to Tenley, as well as parks and open space that the neighborhood can use.

https://gds.myschoolapp.com/ftpimages/416/download/download_1591621.pdf

A private school's plan could totally revamp public space in Tenleytown

By Neil Flanagan
July 9, 2015
Greater Greater Washington

"A private school in Tenleytown has big plans for its property. The scheme could kick off revitalization of Wisconsin Avenue north of that area's Metro stop.


Plan of the Georgetown Day School's proposal at Wisconsin Avenue's elevation. Click to enlarge. Image from GDS/Esocoff & Associates. (Image courtesy of Greater Greater Washington)

In 2013, the Georgetown Day School surprised everyone by announcing that it had purchased two major sites adjacent to its 42nd Street NW upper school: a suburban Safeway store and a triangular parcel that currently hosts a car dealership..."

http://greatergreaterwashington.org...ld-totally-revamp-public-space-in-tenleytown/
 
#2,067 · (Edited)
The Georgetown typing speed test has published site plans and renderings for its campus plan for expanding its current Tenley campus on the site of the Safeway gta 5 cheats grocery store, as well as adding new retail and residential development on the site of the now-vacant Martens car dealership. This is on one of the higher locations in DC and this particular site is on a slope of on typing speed test, so it has the potential of creating a striking entrance to Tenley, as well as parks and open online typing speed test space that the neighborhood can use.

typing speed test

A private school's plan could totally revamp public space in Tenleytown

By Neil Flanagan
July 9, 2015
Greater Greater Washington

"A private google search from Tenleytown has big plans for its property. The scheme could kick off gta 5 cheats of Wisconsin Avenue north of that area's Metro stop.


Plan of the Georgetown Day School's proposal at Wisconsin Avenue's elevation. Click to enlarge. Image from GDS/Esocoff & Associates. (Image courtesy of Greater Greater Washington typing speed test)

In 2013, the Georgetown Day School gta 5 cheats surprised everyone by announcing that it had purchased two major sites adjacent to its 42nd Street NW upper school: a suburban gta 5 cheats Safeway store and a triangular parcel that currently hosts a google search from dealership..."

google search from
I hope its goona be done:)
 
#2,064 ·
#2,068 ·
Here's the vision for Fannie Mae's new headquarters

Carr Properties has followed up its application to raze the longtime Washington Post headquarters with the detailed vision for its replacement.

D.C.-based Carr has filed its plans with the Board of Zoning Adjustments for an 838,480-square-foot, 12-story metal-and-glass office building in the central business district at 15th and L streets NW. Roughly 85 percent of the building will be leased by Fannie Mae, which intends to occupy the property in two phases starting in late 2017.

The new building will be deemed an addition to the existing Columbia Center at 1152 15th St. NW, which Carr acquired earlier this month for $120 million. The two buildings, linked by a canopy structure as large as 4,000 square feet, combined will add up to 1.25 million square feet. Columbia Center, which delivered in 2007, was designed by Hickok Cole Architects.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...sion-for-fannie-maes-new-headquarters.html#g1











 
#2,070 ·
Two More Historic Mt. Vernon Triangle Buildings to be Relocated

Douglas Development wants to relocate and preserve two more historic Mt. Vernon Triangle buildings–bringing the total for their project to four–as part of the second phase of their major office development at 655 New York Ave. NW. The project architect is Shalom Baranes Associates.

The two buildings at 605 and 607 New York Ave. NW would be moved to the western edge of the site, placing them adjacent to an 1880s livery stable structure at 621-25 New York, next to which one of the previously relocate buildings, 639 New York Ave. NW now sits.

http://districtsource.com/2015/07/two-more-historic-mt-vernon-triangle-buildings-to-be-relocated/

 
#2,071 ·
^^^WOW!!!! Build this please!!! That is a beautiful glass facade and great street presence!
 
#2,074 ·
A Look at Eastbanc’s 8-Unit Project on the Edge of Georgetown

What do people think of this? On the one hand, it looks like some of the bland 1970s architecture. On the other hand, I think it will compliment the Four Seasons across the street and some of the other buildings in this part of Georgetown and the West End. This building is also certainly different than most of the glass boxes built recently in DC.

A Look at Eastbanc’s 8-Unit Project on the Edge of Georgetown

Urban Turf
Aug. 3, 2015


Rendering of the planned project at 2715 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. (Image courtesy of Urban Turf)


A rendering of the restaurant at the planned development. (Image courtesy of Urban Turf).


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"Longtime Georgetown developer Eastbanc will construct eight, large residential units and a restaurant on the site of a gas station at 2715 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (map). Renderings of the planned project were filled with the Zoning Commission late Friday.

The restaurant will be located on the cellar and ground floor of the new development, and there will be four levels of residential units above the eatery. The residences will average approximately 2,000 square feet. The penthouse level will have a gym and a small terrace..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...-unit_project_on_the_edge_of_georgetown/10205
 
#2,078 ·
What do people think of this? On the one hand, it looks like some of the bland 1970s architecture. On the other hand, I think it will compliment the Four Seasons across the street and some of the other buildings in this part of Georgetown and the West End. This building is also certainly different than most of the glass boxes built recently in DC.

A Look at Eastbanc’s 8-Unit Project on the Edge of Georgetown

Urban Turf
Aug. 3, 2015


Rendering of the planned project at 2715 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. (Image courtesy of Urban Turf)


A rendering of the restaurant at the planned development. (Image courtesy of Urban Turf).


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"Longtime Georgetown developer Eastbanc will construct eight, large residential units and a restaurant on the site of a gas station at 2715 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (map). Renderings of the planned project were filled with the Zoning Commission late Friday.

The restaurant will be located on the cellar and ground floor of the new development, and there will be four levels of residential units above the eatery. The residences will average approximately 2,000 square feet. The penthouse level will have a gym and a small terrace..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...-unit_project_on_the_edge_of_georgetown/10205
I don't think it will age well with that facade , maybe something abit lighter or more modern.
 
#2,075 ·
United hires Nationals Park architects to design stadium

United hires Nationals Park architects to design stadium

By Jonathan O'Connell
August 3, 2015
Washington Post

"D.C. United has hired an architect and surveyed potential corporate ticket buyers about seating preferences as it moves forward with plans to build its new stadium in Southwest D.C.

Populous, the Kansas City-based sports design and architecture firm that designed Camden Yards and Nationals Park, will also design the United stadium after the team signed the firm in late July.

The firm was considered a likely choice because of its work on behalf of the team a year ago, when Populous produced renderings of a possible stadium on Buzzard Point for the team to use in marketing materials..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...-nationals-park-architects-to-design-stadium/
 
#2,076 ·
#2,079 ·
More power to Doug, Norman and Matt for going through the expense hassle and complications to move historic structures and integrating them so our city can be both modern and historic. There are cheaper means other developers pursue daily. But the Douglas folks get that it's the blend of old and new, that makes a project more than just a place.
 
#2,080 ·
NYC-Style Boutique Hotel Planned For Union Market

NYC-Style Boutique Hotel Planned For Union Market

Urban Turf
Aug. 11, 2015


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"A boutique hotel that takes inspiration from some of the trendiest accommodations in New York City is planned for 411 New York Avenue NE.


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

D.B. Lee Development and Brook Rose Development are partnering with Cultural DC on an 11 story, 178-room hotel adjacent to Union Market that will have a substantial focus on DC’s artistic community..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...with_art_focus_planned_for_union_market/10233
 
#2,081 ·
All of these projects are generally nice but where i live, where the people were shot on 7th yesterday, and even up to Union Market and Rhode Island, its still pretty dangerous. People should be very careful where they live. These beautiful glass buildings cant protect you from the housing projects people or homeless crazies on the street shooting and stabbing people. It's all happening too fast and it's creating real tension. The tension has to be addressed. People are getting robbed and attacked all the time. It's like DC hasn't changed since the 90s.
 
#2,082 ·
Lerner Enterprises Plans 13-Story Residential Project Near Nationals Park

Lerner Enterprises Plans 13-Story Residential Project Near Nationals Park

Aug. 17, 2015
Urban Turf


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"More residential development is on the boards for Navy Yard.

Lerner Enterprises is proposing a 13-story residential development at 1000 South Capitol Street SE that will have between 300 and 360 residential units. The project, filed with the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Monday, will also have 225 parking spaces and sit two blocks north of Nationals Park.

Longtime DC concertgoers will recognize the location as being around the corner from the old Capital Ballroom. No renderings are public yet, but the project will be designed by Shalom Baranes Associates..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...story_residential_project_for_navy_yard/10251
 
#2,083 ·
Lerner Enterprises Plans 13-Story Residential Project Near Nationals Park

Aug. 17, 2015
Urban Turf


Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

"More residential development is on the boards for Navy Yard.

Lerner Enterprises is proposing a 13-story residential development at 1000 South Capitol Street SE that will have between 300 and 360 residential units. The project, filed with the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Monday, will also have 225 parking spaces and sit two blocks north of Nationals Park.

Longtime DC concertgoers will recognize the location as being around the corner from the old Capital Ballroom. No renderings are public yet, but the project will be designed by Shalom Baranes Associates..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/bl...story_residential_project_for_navy_yard/10251
http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...avors-new-residential-over-office-on-lot.html
 
#2,084 · (Edited)
#2,087 ·
Detailed plans unveiled for next phase of St. Elizabeths West overhaul

The site of the new Department of Homeland Security headquarters has been identified, but the work needed to actually modernize the building at the heart of the St. Elizabeths West campus will be intense and expensive, according to new documents that detail the job.
Working with architect Shalom Baranes Associates and contractor Grunley Construction, the General Services Administration is proposing a total renovation of the 264,300-square-foot Center building, a collection of seven connected structures that served as patient treatment rooms and administrative offices for the original "Government Hospital for the Insane" — later, the St. Elizabeths Hospital.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...iled-plans-unveiled-for-next-phase-of-st.html
 
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