Akridge puts 5220 Wisconsin up for sale (Washington Business Journal)
 

This setback is unfortunate but hopefully it is only temporary. There is a lot of developed either under construction or planned on the Wisconsin Avenue corridor and the development approvals will transfer with this sale. WMATA's western bus garage is right next to this property. The bus garage is several acres right above/next to the Friendship Heights metro station, so both of these properties have great potential, if WMATA and the District can agree to moving the bus garage to the soon-to-be vacant Walter Reed site.


Akridge puts 5220 Wisconsin up for sale


By Michael Neibauer
Washington Business Journal
July 8. 2011

"Akridge , which went through hell to get its 5220 Wisconsin Ave. NW high-rise proposal through the regulatory hopper, has placed the Friendship Heights property on the market, a D.C. council member said Friday.

"While I am disappointed to hear that the planned development project at 5220 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest in Ward 3 has been put up for sale before the project was completed, I am heartened to hear that there is a strong likelihood that the planned development, a green building with retail and residential space, will still be built by a potential new owner," Councilwoman Mary Cheh, D-Ward 3, said in a statement..."

http://www.bizjournals.com/washingto....html?page=all

My girlfriend and I took advantage of the great weather today to walk down to Georgetown and go to the new waterfront park that opened last year. Cirrus posted an excellent set of photos a few months earlier (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=189748) but I got a couple of photos of the second phase of construction towards the Washington Harbour development. All photos were taken with my Blackberry so I apologize for the quality.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/...2f17d728_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/...b1720e89_z.jpg

These two photos are of the already-completed first phase of the park. This photo is looking towards the Key Bridge.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/...b90620f8_z.jpg

Another view of the park with the Whitehurst freeway in the background.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/...f879f8ed_z.jpg

Garage Wars: Should Buses Park at Walter Reed? (Washington City Paper)
 

This is very unfortunate to see. The western bus garage occupies several (5-10) acres of land directly next to the Friendship Heights metro station. This article estimates the value of the land at $30M. The current occupants at Walter Reed are moving to Bethesda at part of the BRAC proposal. The western and northern bus garages could have been consolidated at the soon-to-be vacant land at Walter Reed and the western bus garage could have been developed into transit-oriented development. The Friendship Heights bus garage could have accommodated perhaps 200-400 new residents, directly next to the metro. Now these people will be living in less transit-accessible locations and no doubt many of them will locate in Maryland or Virginia instead, depriving the District of tens of millions of dollars each year in property and income taxes.

Garage Wars: Should Buses Park at Walter Reed?

Posted by Lydia DePillis
Jul. 12, 2011
Washington City Paper

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/b.../Picture-5.png
What the 14th Street bus barn looks like. (Image courtesy of the City Paper)

"It's fair to say that, given a choice, you probably wouldn't want to live next to a bus barn. You can't get anything to eat there, or buy toilet paper. Big, smelly vehicles are coming and going all the time.

Right now, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority has two bus garages that it needs to move. The "Northern" location, a huge site on 14th Street NW between Buchanan and Decatur Street, is 104 years old and in need of substantial renovations. The "Western" location, on 44th and Harrison Street NW, is younger but still falling apart..."

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/b...t-walter-reed/

Plan in Queue for Babe's in Tenleytown (DC Mud)
 

The NIMBY hysterics/paranoia is going to begin in 3, 2, 1...

This is great news. It's boom times on the Wisconsin Avenue corridor with this proposal, the development of the site next to the Western Union tower across Wisconsin Avenue, the Tenley library (even if it didn't include the residential part as a public-private partnership), the relocation of the American U. law school to the Tenley Circle campus, and construction soon to begin on the Giant/Cathedral Commons development. Public Tenley, a sports bar opened earlier this year, as well as several other restaurants. Additionally, between Tenley and Friendship Heights, the Harrison (http://www.theharrisondc.com/the-har...ew-renderings/) will finish construction soon


Plan in Queue for Babe's in Tenleytown

Posted by Kelly Matlock
7/13/2011
DC Mud

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-rcpyJbFW...B-%2Bmaxim.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

"Plans for the former Babe's Billiards site at 4600-4614 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Tenleytown have been knocked around, and ultimately scratched, since early 2004, three years before the well-known neighborhood hangout was forced to give its final last-call-for-alcohol. The site, dormant now for four years, is owned by Douglas Development, and the developer plans to rekindle an earlier vision for the parcel: a six-story, mixed-use development with a significant retail component...."

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/pl...enleytown.html

DC Mud posted a rendering of the proposed mixed-use development that would replace the closed Babes Billiards in Tenley. I'm not an architect but this look like an attractive building and it certainly is an improvemet from the vacant building there now. This will help enliven Tenley and it is good to have more residents within a short walk of the metro station.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd30nmzSO5...BWisconsin.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd30nmzSO5...BWisconsin.jpg

Joint Venture to Kick Start Florida Rock on the Anacostia (DC Mud)
 

DC Mud has a post about the plans to develop the Florida Rock property next to the Nationals stadium and near the Yards waterfront park that I posted photos. The site was a gravel pit and needs to be rezoned. According to DC Mud, construction will begin in 2013.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrIA6wef1N...t1-25-08_1.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud


Joint Venture to Kick Start Florida Rock on the Anacostia
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/jo...iverfront.html

Redskins installing solar panels at FedEx Field (Washington Post)
 

I couldn't care less about the Redskins but this is good to see. Not only do the solar panels generate clean, renewable energy, cover the parking lots also keep the cars cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning, thereby allowing the vehicles to get better fuel mileage.

Another benefit is that it shows the value and feasibility of renewable energy to the Real 'mericans who go to football games.

Redskins installing solar panels at FedEx Field

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...insstadium.jpg
Artist's rendering of solar panels, expected to decrease game-day energy use at FedEx Field by 15 percent and provide 850 covered parking spaces. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Mike Jones
Washington Post
7/12/2011


"The Washington Redskins are installing 8,000 solar panels in a FedEx Field parking lot that will generate enough electricity to supply a portion of the stadium’s power on game days and all of its electricity the rest of the week, according to people with knowledge of the organization’s plans.

Construction is underway in the team’s Platinum A1 parking lot to set up panels that will generate two megawatts of electricity — enough to decrease FedEx Field’s annual energy use by 15 percent, according to people within the organization. The panels also will be used to create an 850-space covered carport that will feature 10 charging stations for electric vehicles..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...ZBI_story.html

A Population Changes, Uneasily (NY Times)
 

A Population Changes, Uneasily

By SABRINA TAVERNISE
July 17, 2011
NY Times

"WASHINGTON — This city, the country’s first to have an African-American majority and one of its earliest experiments in black self-government, is passing a milestone.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...al-1-popup.jpg
In the Northwest area of Washington, H Street, shows signs of gentrification like new sidewalks and stylized street lamps. (Image courtesy of the NY Times)

Washington’s black population slipped below 50 percent this year, possibly in February, about 51 years after it gained a majority, according to an estimate by William Frey, the senior demographer at the Brookings Institution..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/18/us...agewanted=all#

DC's white population boom is concurrent with a population increase in general... I noted this above, but I fully expect the growth of the District to be rather phenomenal over the next decade. An increase to 700k is definitely not out of the question, as we're now seeing completely new areas developed, like SW DC.

bsbybackribs2314:
I agree with this assessment. The debate around gentrification is not helpful at all. As you note, many completely new areas are being developed. With most of the development in DC, it is surface parking lots, boarded-up stores, and businesses such as car repair lots that are being redeveloped.

Additionally, all of these new residents bring new income, sales, and property tax revenue to the District. This new tax revenue pays for services such as better schools, improved libraries, and expanded transit that benefits all District residents.

Construction beginning on mixed-use H Street development
 

Construction is beginning this week on a mixed-use dvelopment on H Street, NE that will have over 200 apartments and a Giant supermarket. Now, the District needs to finish the H Street streetcar, to better connect this corridor to Union Station. DC Mud (http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/gi...rket-on-h.html) and DC Urban Turf (http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...n_tuesday/3817).

http://dc.urbanturf.com/images/blog/...60_degrees.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Urban Turf.

Developer seizing upon St. Elizabeths as catalyst (DC Examiner)
 

If I had some extra money, I would invest in in property in Anacostia, as it's going to be a good long-term investment. The Department of Homeland Security is relocating 13,000 federal employees to the Saint Elizabeths campus and the District Department of Transportation is building a streetcar here, as well as the two existing metro stations. There are also extensive plans for the redevelopment of Poplar Point on the eastern side of the Anacostia River. Finally, this area is only 1-2 metro stations away from the booming Southeast Waterfront/Nationals stadium area.

Developer seizing upon St. Elizabeths as catalyst

By: Liz Farmer
Washington Examiner
07/18/11

Developers are targeting the Congress Heights Metro station in an effort to capitalize upon the massive redevelopment expected at St. Elizabeths Hospital across the street.

On Thursday, Metro's Board of Directors will be asked to approve the $3 million sale of roughly one acre of land surrounding the station's south entrance on Alabama Avenue in Southeast to the adjacent property owner.

Developer Sanford City Partners, which has an office in Adams Morgan, plans to build a 281,000-square-foot office and retail development there, according to the project's architect, Maurice Walters..."

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/...beths-catalyst

The blog, And Now, Anacostia, has posted a photo and renderings of the planned redevelopment of Martin Luther King and Good Hope Road. I don't know how feasible this redevelopment will be but the changes look stunning.

The Future of MLK & Good Hope?
http://www.anacostianow.com/2011/07/...good-hope.html

White Flint makeover set to move forward (Washington Post)
 

White Flint makeover set to move forward

By Lori Aratani
July 21, 2011
Washington Post

"The final piece is in place, and phase one of Montgomery County’s ambitious effort to remake Rockville Pike in White Flint into a grand boulevard lined with walkable urban villages is set to move forward.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...t--300x573.jpg
Image courtesy of the Washington Post.

This week’s County Council vote approving a transportation analysis program clears the way for developers to seek permits for a series of projects that officials hope will turn Rockville Pike into an economic engine that could generate $6 billion to $7 billion in revenue over the next two to three decades..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...lSI_story.html

Neil Flanagan has a series of excellent posts about the American University campus plan for the east campus and Tenley Campus (where American is relocating the Washington College of Law from the current quasi-suburban Spring Valley location) in the blog, Greater Greater Washington.

Don't just preserve history at AU, interpret it
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...-interpret-it/

AU's Tenley campus proposal is pinned to the past
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...d-to-the-past/

AU's campus plan offers mediocre architecture
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...-architecture/

Good Stuff Eatery to Open in Crystal City and Georgetown Next Year
 

Spike Mendelsohn, the owner of Good Stuff Eatery and former Top Chef contestant, is opening two new locations, including one in Georgetown.

Good Stuff Eatery to Open in Crystal City and Georgetown Next Year
Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn is expanding his empire beyond Capitol Hill with two outposts of his burger joint.

By Kate Nerenberg
Washingtonian

"Three years ago this month, Spike Mendelsohn opened Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill, a burger joint that has had a line out the door since day one—and has gotten the Michelle Obama stamp of approval. Now that his operation is a well-oiled machine, he's bringing his wildly popular toasted-marshmallow milkshakes to two more locations next year: Crystal City and Georgetown.

http://www.washingtonian.com/block_d.../52072/GSE.jpg
Image courtesy of the Wasingtonian.
Why those neighborhoods? It's all based on customer feedback, says Mendelsohn's sister and public-relations representative, Micheline: "A lot of people have been asking us to open in Crystal City," she says. "As for Georgetown, [customers] have been asking us [to go there] since the first day we opened..."

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogart...tes/20219.html

New Mixed-Use Development Coming to Georgetown (DC Urban Turf)
 

New Mixed-Use Development Coming to Georgetown

Urban Turf
July 21, 2011

"UrbanTurf has learned that MMg Development will redevelop a historic Georgetown property at 1072 Thomas Jefferson Street NW (map) into a mixed-use development.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/images/blog/...dams_mason.jpg
Image courtesy of Urban Turf.

After rounds of presentations and revisions to the ANC 2E, the Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Georgetown, the Old Georgetown Board and the Board of Zoning Adjustments, the firm received final approval to turn the Adams Mason House into a property with residential, retail and office elements, including a new four-story building in the rear of the existing lot. The project will include one, two and possibly three-bedroom condos, as well as 1,000 to 2,000 square feet of office or retail space. The interior and exterior of the historic row house will be preserved, but renovated..."

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...eorgetown/3837

H Street corridor: A work in progress (Washington Post)
 

These reporters need to calm down. There have been similar articles where everyone panics because the SE Waterfront/Nationals stadium area hasn't developed overnight but in the past six months, there have been considerable groundbreakings and development approvals. It is a similar story with H Stree. Just this week, construction began on a mixed-use development that will have 215 apartments and a Giant supermarket (http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/07/gi...rket-on-h.html).

DDOT needs to complete the streetcar that will connect the H Street corridor to Union Station. Unfortunately, H Street is not readily accessible from much of the rest of the District. If I wanted to visit H Street, it would require two different buses and a trip on the Red line.

H Street corridor: A work in progress

By Elizabeth Flock
July 23, 2011
Washington Post

"It’s past last call at Sticky Rice DC in Northeast, but no one is going home. The crowd is downing shots of Smirnoff vodka, and the music is blasting. An obscure song by Sir Mix-A-Lot comes on. “This is my jam,” a girl in ripped black tights says.

Outside the bar, the music escapes with a heavy thump, thump into the new heart of the H Street corridor..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...nVI_story.html

People forget how long the Verizon Center area took to be what it is today. And that was a fairly small area to redevelop and happened in a good economy.

Metro parcels add to St. Elizabeths mix (Washington Post)
 

Metro parcels add to St. Elizabeths mix

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...ongresshts.jpg
Rendering by Maurice Walters/Courtesy of City Partners - The Sanford City Partners joint venture envisions major commercial developments in the area. (Image provided by the Washington Post)

By Jonathan O'Connell
July 24, 2011
Washington Post

"Metro agreed to sell three parcels of land near the Congress Heights Metrorail station last week for inclusion in a project that is seeking to capi tal ize on construction of a new headquarters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

At its board meeting Thursday, Metro agreed to sell 41,068 square feet of land surrounding one entrance to the Congress Heights station to Sanford City Partners for $3 million. The developers are planning something that to this point cannot be found in the neighborhood: a new 250,000-square-foot office building, along with 15,000 to 20,000 square feet of retail..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...wWI_story.html

Georgetown infill development
 

There is a lot happening in Georgetown these days. The town-homes next to the Wormley Row are almost completed. EastBanc has a proposal to develop the site of the Exxon on Canal Road into condos and should begin work on the Georgetown Post Office soon. Phase I of the waterfront park has been open for about a year and Phase II looks ready to open any week.

New Project Planned For Cecil Place and Grace Street

http://georgetownmetropolitan.files....ecil-place.jpg
Image courtesy of Georgetown Metropolitan.

"Despite the potential for a double-dip recession, condo construction in Georgetown is moving ahead full steam. On top of the planned projects at the Ket Bridge Exxon site, the Post Office, and the Verizon building parking lot (all EastBanc projects) a new project has popped up. It’s for a brand new building at the corner of Cecil Pl. and Grace St."

http://georgetownmetropolitan.com/20...-grace-street/

Trump proposes luxury hotel for Old Post Office Pavilion in downtown Washington
 

I think I'll pass on having Donald Chump purchase this.

Trump proposes luxury hotel for Old Post Office Pavilion in downtown Washington

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...Images/opp.JPG
A source says the Trump Hotel Collection’s proposal would keep the Old Post Office Pavilion exterior and would include a museum gallery. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Jonathan O'Connell
July 31, 2011
Washington Post

"Trump Hotel Collection, the luxury lodging brand that bears the name of the New York real estate magnate, has proposed transforming the historic Old Post Office Pavilion into a nearly 300-room luxury hotel complete with conference meeting space, a spa and museum.

Though listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol, the Old Post Office has been deemed under-utilized by the government. The General Services Administration began soliciting proposals.to redevelop the property in March, setting a July 20 deadline..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...qlI_story.html

Skaters could waltz at Washington Harbour (Washington Post)
 

Skaters could waltz at Washington Harbour


By Jonathan O'Connell
July 31, 2011
Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...ownicerink.JPG
If MRP Realty wins approval for its plaza overhaul, work could begin early next year. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)


"MRP Realty, the developer that bought Washington Harbour in Georgetown last year, is planning a $30 million make-over for the office complex that includes updated offices, new restaurant space and a rebuilt outdoor plaza featuring a novel upgrade: an outdoor skating rink.

Under MRP’s plans, Washington Harbour’s plaza — the scene of flooding in April — would be remade to provide more outdoor seating for restaurants and a new fountain that would become the city’s largest outdoor skating rink in the winter..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...hlI_story.html

New Details for U Street Condo Project (DC Mud)
 

DC Mud has a post about a planned condo development near the U Street corridor. I'm glad to see this is replacing a vacant building and a largely empty lot and we also need the construction jobs and new tax revenue this development will generate but perhaps the developer could have provided less parking and designed a more attractive building made of concrete, not wood. 33 parking spaces for a property that is only a few blocks from the U Street metro station seems excessive. The setbacks of this building from the street also seem excessive.

New Details for U Street Condo Project

Posted by Kelly Matlock
8/05/2011

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3t0ZmMSMz...Brendering.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

"Construction of the residential building planned for 11th and V Streets, NW, which DCMud reported last February, has added a few details to their plans. In April, Loford LLC selected Ellisdale Construction & Development as general contractor for the project, who is currently bidding subcontractors for the project (with the deadline one week from today). Now, Ellisdale has posted an image of what the 33-unit building may look like (very conceptual), and the owner has indicated that the project will be condominiums..."

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/08/gc...sidential.html

My girlfriend and I went to the Yards park again yesterday evening with a group of people. The park itself is stunningly beautiful and the location right on the Anacostia provides a nice escape from DC's summer heat. Construction is underway on the pedestrian bridge connecting the Yards park to Diamond Teague park (http://www.jdland.com/dc/ecc.cfm), directly across the street from the National's stadium. The Yards park already has a very impressive pedestrian bridge. Once this is completed, it will be possible to go walk from the Nationals stadium to the Navy Yard and USS Barry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barry_(DD-933) ) along the water.

Again, my apologies for the quality of the photo. This was taken with my Blackberry after a few cups of wine.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/...d7b60b98e6.jpg

Anacostia building to get a new look (Washington Post)
 

Now is the time to invest in property there. The other week, there was another developer that purchased several acres of land from WMATA to develop offices. This development sounds like it is going to benefit the area. Work on Saint Elizabeth's is continuing, and Anacostia is one stop away from the SE Waterfront/Navy Yard, which is rapidly developing and becoming an extension of downtown.


Anacostia building to get a new look

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...annon_view.JPG
The view of Washington’s waterfront from the soon-to-be renovated warehouse at 2235 Shannon Place SE. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Jonathan O'Connell
August 7, 2011
Washington Post

"One of the selling points of 2235 Shannon Place SE, an office building being planned for Anacostia in Southeast D.C., is its views of downtown Washington. Not only is the Washington Monument visible from the property, but it can be viewed from the first floor. Go up to the fifth floor and the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress and the Potomac River all come into view.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima..._rendering.jpg
A rendering of the warehouse tranformed into a four-story office building. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

The office project is the first step in a long-term, transformational overhaul of downtown Anacostia being planned by a partnership between District-based Curtis Properties — which owns large chunks of land there — and Four Points, a D.C. developer that is making its name on projects in emerging neighborhoods..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...w0I_story.html

DC Mud has a post about the planned CityMarket grocery store and residential development on O Street, by the Convention Center. According to DC Mud, Giant will close on September 8 and construction will take two years.

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/08/sh...er-8th-to.html

This is almost exactly one year after the last 'groundbreaking' for this development that occurred in September 2010: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/b...breaking-isnt/

Hopefully construction for the mixed-use Cathedral Commons development on Wisconsin Avenue, which also includes a new Giant and residential units, isn't far behind. The north parcel, where the pharmacy was located, is already vacant.

D.C.’s Southwest waterfront is reinventing itself again (Washington Post)
 

D.C.’s Southwest waterfront is reinventing itself again

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...1313448840.jpg
D.C.’s Southwest waterfront has been reinventing itself for decades. In the 1950s, city planners evicted nearly all its residents and leveled most buildings. Now it is starting fresh again. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Elizabeth Flock
August 15, 2011
Washington Post

"It’s a lazy, hazy Sunday afternoon on the Southwest waterfront, and only two sounds can be heard: Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” and the splash of tiny waves against the houseboats at Gangplank Marina.

A beaming couple come around the bend. They speak in a near whisper. It just seems like what you should do here.

The waterfront is almost always quiet in part because it’s an isolated stretch, cut off to the north by Interstate 395, to the west by the Washington Channel, and to the south by Fort McNair and the ominous-sounding Buzzard Point..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...yHJ_story.html

Metro courts GSA over properties near Metrorail stations (Washington Post)
 

Metro courts GSA over properties near Metrorail stations

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/ima...mages/gsa2.JPG
[SIZE="2"]The Suitland Metro station is one of the few Metro stations in Prince George’s County to have a government office building nearby. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Jonathan O'Connell
August 14, 2011
Washington Post

"The real estate arm of the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority is negotiating a broad partnership with the General Services Administration aimed at locating federal office facilities near Metrorail stations.

Steven Goldin, director of real estate at Metro, outlined a plan to match the federal government’s future space needs with available property at many of Metro’s 86 stations to members of the agency’s board of directors in a closed-door executive session July 21, according to two board members who declined to be named because the plans were intended to be kept private..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...WFJ_story.html

Canal Park update
 

My girlfriend took a couple of photos of the progress on Canal Park (http://www.canalparkdc.org/renderings.aspx) while walking to work today. This park is in the Navy Yard/Nationals stadium area. The Canal Park is right across the street from the US Dept. of Transportation and within a block and a half of the metro station. This area already has the stunning Yards waterfront park and this should be another welcome addition to the neighborhood.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/...148f9fa4_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/...5fbc87d7_z.jpg

Nationals/Southeast waterfront construction
 

My girlfriend and I went to the Nationals game on Earthquake Day yesterday with a couple of friends. I took this photo of a 276-unit residential building under construction across the street from the stadium. You can see the now-cracked Washington Monument in the upper-right corner of the photo. Standard disclaimer about the poor photo quality due to using my Blackberry applies.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/...d572bb7a_z.jpg

DC Mud has some more information about this development.

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/06/ne...aks-gound.html

If the rooftop really offers meaningful views of the field, this will be a really cool project.

DC Mud has a post about a development in Alexandria's Eisenhower Valley area that will include three residential towers with nearly 1,200 apartments. The tallest building will be nearly 400 feet tall and the tallest building within the Beltway, according to DC Mud.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qau-Hgdriy...way%2Bview.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gf2FcPKZYW...%2Bdaytime.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/08/be...launch-in.html

DC Urban Turf writes about a proposed 55-unit apartment building soon to begin construction on 14th Street, near Rhode Island Avenue. This is close to Churchkey/Birch & Barley, one of the best bars in DC.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/images/blog/..._rendering.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Urban Turf.

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...th_street/4044

Greater Greater Washington and DC Urban Turf also have posts about two new infill developments proposed for Dupont Circle.

Neighbors oppose redevelopment of Dupont parking lot
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...t-parking-lot/

New Condo Project and Wine Bar Coming to Dupont Circle
http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blo...nt_circle/4041

DC Mud notes that the Cathedral Commons development on Wisconsin Avenue has been delayed again because the endless litigation by a small handful of NIMBYs has made securing financing for this development more difficult.

Cathedral Commons Delayed Until 2012
http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/08/ca...ntil-2012.html

American University Tenley Circle campus
 

American University has just released its updated renderings of the Washington College of Law, which it is relocating from the suburban Spring Valley location to Tenley Circle, right on Wisconsin Avenue and just a few hundred feet from the Tenley metro station. Not only will this help reduce congestion by placing the law school within walking distance of the metro station but it will also help enliven Wisconsin Avenue.

We (Ward 3 Vision) have been pushing American University to concentrate more of the law school along Tenley Circle and Wisconsin Avenue and to have design features that open this up to the neighborhood, such as grand steps, a fountain, or an inviting public lawn.

http://www.american.edu/finance/fas/...ion-Review.pdf

Freshly Baked, New Design for Wonder Bread Building in Shaw (DC Mud)
 

DC Mud has a post and renderings of the Douglas Development's proposed redevelopment of the former Wonder Bread bakery in Shaw, right by the metro station. This will have basement and ground floor retail, with three floors of office space built above it.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKWsWt07W2...Wonder%2B2.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikggqWN2_v...BElevation.jpg
Image courtesy of DC Mud.

http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2011/08/fr...or-wonder.html

The blog, JD Land, and the Washington Post both note that a new restaurant, Willie's Brew and Que, is coming to the Boilermaker shops right behind the US Department of Transportation headquaters at the SE Waterfront/Navy Yard.

Willie's Brew and Que Coming to Boilermaker Shops; Pizza and a Raw Bar at Canal Park?

"After a bit of a false start a few months ago, Forest City is now confirming that Capitol Hill restaurant magnate Xavier Cervera will be opening "Willie's Brew & Que" in the Boilermaker Shops at The Yards. On the Yards's just redesigned web site, Willie's is listed as opening in Fall 2012, along with the other Boilermaker Shops restaurants previously announced (Austin Grill Express, brb, Buzz Bakery, a craft brewery by the Churchkey folks, and Huey's 24-7 Diner)."

http://www.jdland.com/dc/index.cfm/3...-and/#comments

Douglas Development submitted the Planned Unit Development (PUD) documents to the DC Office of Planning for the proposed redevelopment of Babe's Billiards. This is going to be a mixed-use 6-7 floor building, within two blocks of the Tenley metro station. Across the street, there is a four-story mixed-use building next to the Western Union tower that is almost completed. The Babe's development would not have any residential parking on site. All images are courtesy of Douglas's PUD submission.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/...72af4a0e_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/...a24e5980_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/...13a27943_z.jpg

Chapman Development plans 188-unit apartment complex on Good Hope Road in SE DC
 

Chapman Development plans 188-unit apartment complex on Good Hope Road in Southeast D.C.


By Jonathan O'Connell
September 4, 2011
Washington Post

"Developer Tim Chapman raised eyebrows in real estate circles when he broke ground on a 118-unit apartment building east of the Anacostia River in the fall of 2008, when most builders were still in retraction mode.

Chapman said that project went so well, however, that he is ready to try another.

The developer said he is under contract to purchase an auto body shop at 1708 Good Hope Road in Southeast D.C., on the border between Anacostia and Fairlawn, that he plans to develop into a 188-unit apartment complex with 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of retail. He would not disclose the price..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...w1J_story.html

Is this on South Cap Street?

Yes, at O street SW.

Homeland Security HQ at St. Elizabeths partially funded by Senate proposal -Wash Post
 

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Homeland Security HQ at St. Elizabeths partially funded by Senate proposal -Wash Post
 

It is unbelievable, although not surprising, that the Ayn Rand-disciples in the House of Representatives would consider stopping construction of the Coast Guard headquarters halfway through, with the significant stranded costs and job losses (not that the Greedy Old Party is concerned about creating jobs) that this would cause.

Homeland Security HQ at St. Elizabeths partially funded by Senate proposal

By Ben Pershing
September 6, 2011
Washington Post

"A draft U.S. Senate spending bill includes $56 million to continue construction of the new Department of Homeland Security headquarters at the former St. Elizabeths Hospital site in Southeast Washington, setting the stage for a clash with the House on the issue.

The DHS project is designed to consolidate dozens of agencies with thousands of workers scattered at different locations onto one sprawling campus. The Obama administration has requested $160 million for the project, but in June, the House passed its version of the fiscal 2012 Homeland Security bill without including any of the money.

House appropriators said in a report accompanying the bill that they thought the DHS project had been mismanaged and that “both costs and schedule of the current project are matters of concern” to Congress..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...k7J_story.html

i was pleasantly surprised at how nice the constitution square development came out! a bit on the safe side, like much of dc's infill, but nevertheless a nice-looking project:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/...6e69f76e_b.jpg

Apartment developers turn their attention to Washington (Washington Post)
 

Apartment developers turn their attention to Washington

By Jonathan O’Connell
September 10, 2011
Washington Post

“Apartment builders are pouring money into the Washington area real estate market, buying land and existing buildings in an effort to take advantage of a relatively stable job market and a region that they say has become more attractive to young professionals.

Delta Associates, a research and consulting firm based in Alexandria, called the Washington area “the best performing apartment market in the nation” at the end of June, due to the available jobs, a vacancy rate of only 3.1 percent and a long pause in building that began with the financial crisis.

Those conditions have prompted buying sprees of sites where new units can be constructed and of aging buildings that can be upgraded. In the District, 1,221 units are expected to be completed in the 12 months ending next June, an increase of 47 percent from last year, according to Delta. In Northern Virginia, the increase is 16 percent…”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...yKK_story.html

Here's a link for more details about the Douglas Development's propoesd redevelopment of the Babe's site on the corner or Wisconsin Avenue and Brandywine.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/46493/2011-8...INAL-sm%20.pdf

Any reason why so many DC projects look like that? Is there some rule that states DC can only have pseudo warehouse loft style buildings that are incredibly bland?

God DC is conservative! I am counting the days..

Until what?