5 Groundbreaking DC Waterfront Developments
Just in the last few weeks, we've learned that three hotels are planned for the much-anticipated Wharf and the new renderings for Robinson Terminal North are getting rave reviews. Today, we take a look at five DC waterfront developments that are making a splash:
1. The Capitol Riverfront
Developers: Forest City Washington, Skanska, KCG 50M and others
Architects: GTM Architects, Parker Rodriguez, others
Cost: $3B investment ($1B public, $2B private sector)
Delivery: Ongoing
This hot neighborhood on a river is Southwest DC’s first Business Improvement District (BID). The Front has more than 32,000 daytime employees in 7.3M SF of office space, with 288k SF of retail, 3,263 residential units and 204 hotel rooms. An additional 21.5M of mixed-use space is still planned. Tenants include Courtyard by Marriott, Bluejacket Brewery, Buzz Bakery and Park Tavern at Canal Park. Some things in the pipeline for a 2015/2016 groundbreaking include a 70k SF Showplace ICON Theater by Forest City Washington; 225k SF of office space at 99M St developed by Skanska; 11k SF of retail; and 195 rooms at KCG 50M's Homewood Suites.
2. The Wharf
Developer: Hoffman-Madison Waterfront
Architect: Perkins Eastman
Cost: $1.5B
Delivery: Phase 1 in 2017
This Wharf broke ground in May 2014. Its newest addition is “urban resort” The Wharf InterContinental hotel designed by BBGM and Parker-Torres, which features a 5k SF rooftop lounge with a Willy Wonka-esque glass elevator that gives riders a waterfront views on the way up, and a rooftop infinity pool and 5k SF of retail space.
3. Robinson Terminal North
Developers: CityInterests and Rooney Properties
Architect: Hickok Cole Architects
Cost: $120M for first phase of Old Town Alexandria waterfront plan
Delivery: TBD
This newly revamped design has the terminal being compared to the Sydney Opera House—a far cry from complaints about the previous “distractingly random” design. The project is part of the first phase of The Olin Studio and URS Corp’s Old Town Alexandria waterfront plan, which also includes Robinson Terminal South; a new Old Dominion Boat Club; a renovated Fitzgerald Warehouse; and EYA’s Oronoco condos, which are already completed.
4. Waterfront Station
Developers: Forest City Washington, Vornado/Charles E. Smith, Bresler & Reiner
Architects: B + H Architects, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Cost: Unknown
Delivery: 2016
When this 2.1M SF development is complete, it will have 1.1M SF of office space, 110k SF of retail and 900 residential units. The first and second phases are already completed with Phase 1 retail tenants including Safeway, CVS, Starbucks, Subway, Z Burger and Masala Art; and Phase 2 being the SkyHouse condos. Phase 3 (1001 4th St) broke ground in January and will include 365 residential units, including Cadillac Fairway’s controversial “origami” tower and 5k SF of retail.
5. L’Enfant Plaza
Developer: JBG
Architect: SmithGroup JJR
Cost: Unknown
Delivery: L'Enfant Plaza Hotel due in 2016
This 1.2M SF mixed-use transformation still has 800k SF of extra development coming down the pipeline. The new plaza will have 120k SF of space for 40-plus restaurants and shops, 1,800 parking spaces, an outdoor square, seating for 800-plus and WiFi lounges. New tenants coming soon include California Tortilla, Green Beans Coffee, Italian Gourmet Deli and Pie Five Pizza Co.
