A Shiny New City Center

5 02 2013

As construction continues at the massive City Center development on the site of the old Convention Center downtown, the impact on the street-scape is starting to become apparent, and from the look of some of the structures, it sure is looking shiny!

Mostly from the exterior blocks, it isn’t going to look much different from many other areas of downtown, the real game changer is going to be the interior pedestrian plaza, which will feature lots of outdoor furniture and park like features to create a sense of central square (see below).

[Photo: Phaesia]



SW Ecodistrict Plan Accepted

10 01 2013

At its monthly meeting today the National Capital Planning Commission finally accepted the SW Ecodistrict Plan that we first got a peek at last summer. The plan proposes to transform the 15-block area just south of the National Mall into a highly sustainable, walkable neighborhood and workplace that connects the National Mall with Washington’s southwest waterfront.

What this really means is that there is now a comprehensive plan that will be used by the NCPC when evaluating and making recommendations for all new development proposals in this area, including the often talked about development over 395 to further connect this area to the waterfront and all the new development that will be going on there over the next few years.



Rendering: Huntington Mixed-Use Development

9 01 2013

Check out this rendering of a new mixed use, transit oriented project being developed by MRP and AEW as a joint venture right across from the Huntington Metro Station in Alexandria. The six-acre development is designed by SK&I Architects and will include 360 LEED-certified apartments, an 110,000-square-foot hotel and a 260,000 square foot office building.

Construction is planned to start later this year. [Rendering: SK&I]



The Yards: Slightly Behind Track?

21 12 2012

If you have been anywhere around SE near the Yards development you have probably seen these signs (pictured below) announcing the opening of two of the most anticipated adaptive reuse projects in the city. The WWI era Boilermaker Shops and the Lumber Shed have been under construction for a while with a slew of announced retailers and restaurants that should get anyone excited, and even though the opening of the Boilermaker Shops is getting close, clearly by the look of the build out (other than the dry cleaner), it ain’t happening in 2012 like the sign says.

However have no fear because come the Spring most of the Boilermaker shops will be open for business including the Bluejacket brewery from the folks behind Churchkey/Birch and Barley who are targeting March 2013.

The Lumber Shed (pictured below) is definitely on track for 2013, and once the weather starts to get warmer again, this area is going to have a lot more going for it beyond just being a destination near the Ballpark!

[Photos: DCMetrocentric]



Demolition: Old Transfer Station

20 12 2012

Nothing like some good old demolition and heavy machinery to get us excited! These great shots of the old trash transfer station in Southeast show how very close this plot of land is to the Capitol, so it makes sense the site will be put to a more high density use in the future, most likely planned apartments as well as a mixed income development.

It might have been cool if they could have saved the old smokestack in some capacity, but adaptive reuse of the structure was not in the cards for this building in a neighborhood that only a few years ago was unrecognizable from all the old that has made way for the new.

[Photos: Tony DeFilippo]



Renderings: 460 NY Ave

14 11 2012

Mt Vernon Triangle is going to be getting some new condos soon courtesy of a WDG designed modern 8 story addition on top of a current three story warehouse on NY Ave which dates back to the beginning of the 1900s. Interesting to see the preservation of the warehouse which is right across from CityVista, it’s not particularly distinctive or interesting but it will definitely preserve some of the original character of what this area, in a very recent past, once was.

The developers are shooting for a June 2014 completion date.

[Renderings: WDG]



Construction: 3001 Wash Blvd

22 10 2012

One of the last undeveloped large block parcels in Clarendon is now a full fledged construction site. What once was (among other things) the site of a bank, a used car lot, and a gravestone store, will soon be 3001 & 3003 Washington Blvd as two separate but connected buildings.

The Noritake Associates designed development includes a 10-story, 200,000 sq-ft office building with complementary architecture incorporating an existing art deco façade and an 8-story, 80,000 sq-fte building adjacent fitting into the triangle lot footprint. The ground level of both buildings will bring 28,000 square feet of retail.

Check out the renderings of how the development will look…

Read the rest of this entry »



Shake Shack’s DC Expansion

6 08 2012

The cities ever expanding density of burger purveyors continues with the announcement that the (very tasty) New York import Shake Shack is adding its third location right in the heart of downtown as part of the Spy Museum block right across from the Portrait Gallery. Shake Shack will occupy 3200 square feet at the corner of 9th and F Street, NW with an expected opening of mid-2013.

Till then Shack lovers will have to hoof it to Dupont of Nationals Park or you could always make your own at home!

[Credit: Douglas Development]



Silver Spring Shark is Back!

1 08 2012

Just as in previous years, the Discovery Channel’s building in downtown Silver Spring is sporting a massive shark in celebration of the now ubiquitous Shark Week. Even though we’ve seen this before, it still gives a good shock every year being greeted by a three story tall shark protruding from a building!

[Photo: Kevin H]



Big Buildings Move for AAMC

23 07 2012

One of the big parts of the construction process for new 11 story modern headquarters being built for the Association of American Medical Colleges was the relocation and preservation of a handful of historic buildings on the site. We have been closely tracking the moves of the massive old buildings and now as you can see (pictured below) that they are all lined up and ready for inclusion in the new Shalom Baranes Designed glass building that will rise up around them.

Hurray for historic preservation (even of plain buildings like these)!

[Photos: Expert House Movers]



Timelapsed: CityMarket at O

12 07 2012

Since breaking ground last year, the CityMarket at O has been making steady progress, and now you can watch it all in time lapsed glory courtesy of a strategically placed construction cam. Once complete next year,  the project will eventually encompass 635 residential units, 401 market-rate apartments, and 150 high-end condominiums, a 72,000 sq ft Giant Flagship plus restaurants and retail.



BreakingGround: Lumber Shed

25 06 2012

After what seems like years of the old Lumber Shed standing as nothing more than a shell along the Capitol Riverfront in Near Southeast, work is finally underway to transform the old Navy yard building into a glass retail and restaurant pavilion. Once complete, the 30,000 sq-ft. glass pavilion will have five restaurants and the second floor will house some offices for the developer Forest City.

The project is now on track for opening up next Summer including the recently announced NYC import restaurant Osteria Morini. With the new residential and restaurants opening in the currently under construction Boiler Maker Shops, this area is going to be hot come next summer! [Rendering: Forest City]



Under Construction: CityCenter

21 06 2012

The pace of development of CityCenterDC is still going full steam as all of the structures are now above ground. This first phase will contain approximately 1.3 million sq. ft. and will include two 11-story office buildings, two 11-story apartment buildings,  and two 11-story condo buildings all still on track for a 2013 opening.

In addition to all that office and residential space there is going to be a ton of retail and park space, still waiting to hear who some of the major retailors retailers are going to be though…

[Photo: Jeanne Welsh]



Rendering: 900 G Street

30 05 2012

We just got word that a new joint venture between MRP and ASB Realty will be developing a brand spanking shiny new glass tower at 900 G Street, NW. Initially they were planning a renovation, but given the location and improving office market, they are going with a brand new ground up building with construction starting by late summer.

The nine-story building situated on the southwest corner of the 9th and G St, NW intersection in the Penn Quarter will feature approximately 112,000 square feet enclosed in a glass curtain wall (shocker!), and they plan to go for LEED Gold certification. Click the above rendering for a larger view.

[Rendering: Gensler]



Union Market/The Wharf Models

22 05 2012

With the cities officials in Las Vegas at RECon this week talking up all the great new developments going on DC, the developers behind some of the largest new mixed use projects including Union Market and The Wharf came with some nice looking models to help give a better picture of how the developments will end up looking.

Above is a concept for Union Market and below is The Wharf with a major focus on the waterfront and what looks like some major room for boats!

[Credits: via Commercial Observer]