Renderings Revealed For 900 Residential Units Replacing The Marriott Wardman Park

A street view of the proposed redevelopment of the Wardman Park site reveals a new multifamily building connected to the historic Wardman Tower via its one-story arcade. — D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board
A Street View Of The Proposed Redevelopment Of The Wardman Park Site Reveals A New Multifamily Building Connected To The Historic Wardman Tower Via Its One-Story Arcade.

The firm behind the closely watched redevelopment of the historic Wardman Park Marriott site has given its first peek into the future for the expansive Northwest D.C. property.

Land use firm Holland & Knight submitted plans to the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board on behalf of developer Carmel Partners, showing plans to build two large residential buildings totaling approximately 900 residential units.

The plans, first reported by UrbanTurf, were designed by Shalom Baranes Architects. They feature the two new buildings that would reach a height of 90 feet and a newly planned courtyard between the buildings. Carmel Partners did not respond to questions from Bisnow about the site.

D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board
Overhead view of the proposed Wardman Park redevelopment.

The plans would retain Wardman Tower, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, but slightly alter the one-story arcade connecting the tower to the current hotel. The arcade would connect to one of the new residential buildings under the proposed plans.

The overall building footprint would also decrease from 47% to 23% of the parcel, adding more than 2 acres of green space designed by landscape architect Parker Rodriguez.

The plans retain an underground parking lot on-site and add parking below both buildings.

Wardman Park lies within the Rock Creek West planning area, a region of the city that Mayor Muriel Bowser has targeted for more multifamily buildings and more affordable housing.

D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board
A site plan for the proposed Wardman Park redevelopment.

Bowser didn't respond to a question about whether and how the city is pursuing affordable housing at the Wardman Park site during a press conference about the Rock Creek West area in December.

Previously, groups like Ward 3 Housing Justice have asked the mayor's office to explore the opportunity.

Carmel Partners closed on a deal for purchasing the site of the distressed Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in November of last year.

The $152M acquisition was immediately considered a prime candidate for development into multifamily space. The plans submitted on Jan. 21 didn't include a timeline for construction or any indication as to the project's affordability.