The historic Franklin School in Franklin Square will be redeveloped into a four-story language arts museum and educational space.
After issuing a request for proposals and narrowing it down to four proposals in 2015, the District selected Dantes Partners to redevelop the historic school at 925 13th St NW.
The museum, slated to open by winter 2019, will include 15k SF of exhibit space, a 150-seat auditorium, a 3,500 SF restaurant and 1,900 SF of classroom space. The project is estimated to cost $30M and create 35 full-time jobs.
“Developing the Franklin School into an interactive language center gives visitors and residents a unique learning experience, adds to the cultural fabric of our downtown, and is a great fit for the District’s growing creative economy," Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner said in a release.
Dantes Partners, one of the area's most active affordable housing builders, was also recently selected by the District to build a 150-unit, $65M development at 1400 Florida Ave NE. Its founder, Buwa Binitié, is speaking at Bisnow's annual Affordable Housing Forum next month.
