Construction Update at L'Enfant Plaza

Construction has resumed at 500 L’Enfant, an office building along 9th Street at L’Enfant Plaza. The foundation and loading dock was constructed back in 2015, but the project was put on hold until an anchor tenant was found. In January, it was announced that the Urban Institute would lease 121,000 SF of space, covering the first six floors of the 12-story building. Over 400 employees are expected to make the move by March 2019. The building itself will likely be completed in 2018, but then tenant buildout will take several months. 

Elsewhere at L’Enfant Plaza, construction is ongoing at the International Spy Museum on 10th Street. The museum will relocate from Penn Quarter to L’Enfant Plaza in 2018. In addition, renovations have been underway at the future Hilton Washington DC National Mall hotel. The hotel will also reopen in 2018.

Anchor Tenant Signed for 500 L'Enfant

Urban Institute will take 121,000 SF of space at 500 L’Enfant, covering the first six floors of the 12-story office building.  The economic and social policy research nonprofit founded by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 will relocate its headquarters and over 400 employees to L’Enfant Plaza from the West End by March 2019. After the podium for 500 L’Enfant was built, work stopped on the project due to the lack of an anchor tenant. Now that one has been secured, construction is expected to resume in February. Upon completion, 500 L'Enfant will be a LEED-Gold certified, 215,000 SF building with a direct connection to the shops at L'Enfant Plaza and the Metro station by the same name.

In addition to 500 L’Enfant, the former L’Enfant Plaza Hotel is currently undergoing renovations and will reopen in 2018 as the 367-key Hilton Washington DC National Mall hotel. Also scheduled to be completed in 2018 at L’Enfant Plaza is the new home of the International Spy Museum, which will be located along 10th Street. 

Renderings courtesy of ZGF Architects LLP

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel to Become a Hilton Property

The L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, which was closed in 2014 for extensive renovations after it was purchased by Sanford Hotels Group, will become a Hilton property (h/t to Waterfront Gateway Association). The Hilton Washington DC National Mall hotel is located above the recently renovated east office building and will open in 2018. There will be a total of 367 hotel rooms, including 18 suites and two Presidential Suites. According to the hotel’s website, the following amenities will be available: 

• 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space 
• Grand ballroom accommodates up to 800 people 
• Super fast wireless internet in all meeting rooms 
• Complimentary wireless access in all public spaces 
• Complete conference services staff and audio/visual team 
• All guestrooms feature one or two king beds 
• Executive concierge lounge with complimentary continental breakfast each morning and hors d’oeuvres each evening 
• Non-smoking hotel with designated smoking area outside 
• Contemporary full-service restaurant / bar / lounge 
• Full service market and sundry shop Room service 
• Outdoor pool with lounge seating and fire pits 
• Fitness center with professional cardiovascular & aerobic equipment 
• Valet and self-garage parking 

This isn’t the first Hilton hotel planned for L’Enfant Plaza. A Homewood Suites by Hilton was planned to be built at 9th and D streets by JBG, but those plans have been put on hold indefinitely. 

Rendering courtesy of Sanford Hotels Group

Photo Tour Part Three: Museums

There are currently two museums under construction in Southwest. Construction on The Museum of the Bible at 4th and D streets started in 2015. The 430,000 square-foot Museum of the Bible will include three exhibit floors that will tell the impact, narrative, and history of the Bible. Construction is expected to be completed by the fall of 2017.

Over on 10th Street at L'Enfant Plaza, construction began this summer on the site of the relocated International Spy Museum. The new International Spy Museum will occupy 140,000 SF, much larger than the current facility in Penn Quarter and will allow for three levels of permanent exhibition space in addition to event space. It's scheduled to open in the spring of 2018.

Renderings courtesy of SmithGroupJJR and Rogers Stirk Harbor + Partners

International Spy Museum to Open in L'Enfant Plaza in 2018

Preliminary site work started this month on the new International Spy Museum. By spring 2018, the museum will relocate from Penn Quarter to L’Enfant Plaza on a site fronting 10th Street. The new International Spy Museum will occupy 140,000 SF, much larger than the current facility and will allow for three levels of permanent exhibition space in addition to event space. A museum store and lobby will be located on the first floor. Part of the design includes a transparent “veil” which will allow people on 10th Street to see activity inside of the museum. JBG has partnered with the International Spy Museum on the project and has been designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Hickok Cole is the architect of record. 

JBG came before the ANC last week to get their support for doing foundation work in the parking garage during evening hours. The developer also wanted support for closing off an area in front of 10th Street for construction staging. Both requests for support were granted, although the ANC wanted JBG to report back to the commissioners if additional late work requests are needed. 

L’Enfant Plaza has been revamped in recent years, including a renovation of the retail center with new restaurants and stores and two renovated office buildings. Meanwhile, the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel is currently closed for renovations. The foundation and loading dock for a new office building was built in 2015 by JBG, but the rest of the building won’t be completed until an anchor tenant is secured.

The new museum will be located just a couple blocks south of the National Mall and will contribute to the revitalization of 10th Street, a wide, but forlorn stretch between the Smithsonian Castle and Banneker Overlook. A revitalized 10th Street was part of the SW Ecodistrict plan, which was developed by the National Capital Revitalization Commission for a multi-block area south of the National Mall and north of the Southwest freeway. The area is currently dominated by federal office space, but the plan calls for mixed use, sustainable development, as well as the reintroduction of Maryland Avenue and other streets.  

Rendering courtesy of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

500 L'Enfant Plaza on Hold?

Construction began about a year ago on 500 L’Enfant Plaza, a “trophy” class office building developed by The JBG Companies. The building began construction on spec, or without an anchor tenant. However, after building the foundation and loading dock, it appears construction has been stopped for the past couple of months. Has the project been placed on hold until an anchor tenant has been found?

In addition to 500 L’Enfant Plaza, an office building recently delivered at National Square (500 D Street) and remains empty. Other office buildings under construction in the quadrant include 800 and 1000 Maine Avenue at The Wharf. Only one of those buildings has a tenant signed up, so there is plenty of competition in the market. 

Renderings courtesy of The JBG Companies

Enterprise Opening This Week at Waterfront Station

A sign has been posted at the old L’Enfant Plaza Enterprise car rental location on D Street stating that they will be moving to their new Waterfront Station storefront on or near December 7. A peek inside the new storefront shows that the Enterprise sign is ready to go up on the exterior of 1100 4th Street. Has anyone seen whether Enterprise opened today? With the imminent opening of Enterprise, there remains one vacant retail space at Waterfront Station along 4th Street – a storefront located adjacent to Station 4.

International Spy Museum Renderings

Although it appears that plans are moving forward to bring the International Spy Museum to L’Enfant Plaza, the deal is not done yet. In an email to SWTLQTC, Matthew Blocher from JBG stated: “It is important to note that we are in discussions with the Spy Museum, though contrary to the reports in various media sources, we do not have a deal at this point in time. We are very excited about the possibility of the Spy Museum coming to L'Enfant as we believe that it would provide an incredible amount of energy to this area of Southwest, similar to their impact when they opened in the Penn Quarter.” 

Nevertheless, a revised concept plan for 900 L’Enfant Plaza was presented to the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on April 16, which included a six-story building facing 10th Street that would be used as the new home of the Spy Museum. Behind the museum is a courtyard and office building. Previously, 900 L'Enfant Plaza was planned as strictly an office building. Below are some additional renderings of the proposed museum and office building, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, that would be located in the plaza. 

In a letter to developer JBG dated today, the CFA stated their support for the idea of the International Spy Museum to move to L’Enfant Plaza and general concept. From the letter: 

They commended the project team on the planning and design of the building and site, expressing support for the concept of projecting the museum’s west facade into public space for this particular program and location. 

However, the Commission has concerns about the positioning of the proposed buildings and some design elements. The development team will need to go back before the CFA with a revised concept submission. 

If the International Spy Museum relocates from Penn Quarter to L’Enfant Plaza, it could serve to draw people south from the National Mall on their way to The Wharf. The addition of 600,000 to 700,000 annual visitors to the area (the current number of visitors to the Spy Museum) would help transform this office-heavy area of Southwest and dovetails with the SW Ecodistrict Initiative, which calls for a better mix of uses, including museums, residential, and hotels. 

Renderings courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts

New Fish Market Intersection Opens This Week

A new intersection on Maine Avenue is scheduled to open this Friday at the entrance to the Maine Avenue Fish Market. This will allow patrons to make a left turn into the market off on Maine Avenue for the first time. The intersection will also help pedestrians coming south from L’Enfant Plaza cross Maine Avenue. Eventually, there will be a new stairway leading down from Banneker Overlook to ease access to The Wharf development. In addition to the new intersection, a parking lot has been built for patrons of the market.

Demolition Underway for 500 L'Enfant Plaza

Demolition is underway along Frontage Road at L’Enfant Plaza to make way for 500 L’Enfant Plaza, a new, 220,000 square-foot trophy office building developed by The JBG Companies and designed by SmithGroup JJR. 500 L’Enfant Plaza has been designed for LEED-Gold certification and will include a green roof, triple-height lobby, and fitness center. It will also have direct access to the revamped retail center and the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. 

500 L’Enfant Plaza is the latest component to L’Enfant Plaza, which has seen significant investment in recent years. A $12 million renovation to the common areas in the 955 L’Enfant Plaza office building was recently completed; the second phase of retail opened in stages this summer (the first retail phase opened in 2011); and the common areas of the 470/490 L’Enfant Plaza office building were renovated in 2012. Murals were painted by artists James Reka, SatOne, and Nawer on exterior walls along the L’Enfant Plaza Metro terrace and loading dock, as well as in the dining area. These murals are part of the JBG Mural Project designed to transform urban walls into public art and was curated by ArtWhino. There’s also the possibility that the International Spy Museum may relocate to the mixed-use complex, bringing more weekend activity to the retailers. However, it appears that the Homewood Suites extended-stay hotel that was planned for D Street has been scrapped for now. Another office building may eventually be built in the plaza itself. In addition, the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel was purchased by an affiliate of Sanford Hotels Group and is undergoing a complete renovation. 

Renderings courtesy of SmithGroup JJR

International Spy Museum to L'Enfant Plaza?

The International Spy Museum is eyeing L'Enfant Plaza for its new home according to an article in Capital Business.  After plans to move to the Carnegie Library site were scuttled,  the museum has been on the hunt for space. In a Washington Business Journal article from last month, L'Enfant Plaza was not on the radar of suggested places for the museum, but The Wharf was on the list. From the Capital Business article on L'Enfant Plaza as a potential home:

The Malrite Co., owner of the museum, has signed a lease yet but is focused on trying to work out a deal there, according to company spokesman Jason Werden.

Between 600,000 and 700,000 people visit the Spy Museum annually, which would bring additional traffic to L'Enfant Plaza and help to transform the complex away from a primarily 9 to 5 office environment. Earlier this year, the JBG Companies completed the second phase of renovations to the retail portion of the complex, while the east office building was recently renovated and the north office building's revamp will soon be complete. In addition, the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel (owned by an affiliate of Sanford Hotel Group) is cuurently under renovation and will reopen in 2016.

This is not the first museum to consider moving to the office-heavy mixed-use complex. Before being lured away to National Harbor, the National Children's Museum was moving to L'Enfant Plaza in a new building that would be constructed in the middle of the plaza. Ironically, the Children's Museum is now also looking for new space in the District after being open at National Harbor for only two years per the WBJ.

It was not revealed in the Capital Business article where in the complex the Spy Museum would be located, but perhaps JBG is dusting off their plans for the National Children's Museum...

Lease Signings at L'Enfant Plaza

Four new restaurants have signed leases in the revamped retail center at L'Enfant Plaza according to an article in the Washington Business Journal.  The latest lease signings include two concepts new to the Washington region - Pie Five, a Dallas-based fast casual pizzeria and Green Beans Coffee, which started out operating near military bases in foreign countries. The other restaurants are Jamba Juice and California Tortilla.

Will Fannie Mae Reconsider Southwest for its HQ?

It was reported in the Washington Business Journal and the Wall Street Journal that mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae is selling its headquarters building in Upper Northwest and wants to consolidate its operations in leased space closer to downtown DC. Fannie Mae is looking to move to their new headquarters over the next two to three years, so they have the option of leasing in existing space or new construction. Almost a decade ago, Fannie Mae was planning to be the anchor tenant at Waterfront Station, but financial troubles put the kibosh on those plans and they remained at their current headquarters. Subsequently, the District government decided to lease both buildings in phase one of Waterfront Station and the project was able to move forward. Now that Fannie Mae is on the hunt for new space, perhaps it will give Southwest another look? Let’s take a look at their options in Southwest (since the size requirement for Fannie Mae wasn’t disclosed in the articles, the following options may or may not work based on size needs):  

(1) Waterfront Station: There are still two vacant parcels along M Street on either side of 4th Street that are slated for office. The SE parcel is right on top of the Waterfront metro station and both buildings have plans for ground floor retail. Waterfront Associates won’t start construction on either of those parcels until it secures an anchor tenant. Since Fannie Mae was already planning to move to Waterfront Station at one point, this location probably has a leg up on the competition. 

(2) The Wharf: Alternatively, Fannie Mae could opt for office space at The Wharf, which started construction in March and won’t be complete until 2017. There is an office building planned in Phase One of construction (Parcel 3A) facing Maine Avenue and a second building could be built closer to the Maine Avenue Fish Market (Parcel 1) if Hoffman-Madison Waterfront found a tenant. The Graduate School USA was originally going to occupy the Parcel 3A building, but backed out of the deal a couple years ago. The Wharf was a contender for The Washington Post, but ultimately the media company decided to move only a few blocks east from its current headquarters building downtown. 

Rendering courtesy of Hoffman Madison Waterfront

(3) The Portals: Republic Properties has an empty parcel at The Portals that is next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the 1200 block of Maryland Avenue. In addition to the hotel, there are three office buildings that have already been completed at the complex. A Portals address would give Fannie Mae execs sweeping views of the Tidal Basin and high visibility from the traffic that comes into the city daily on the 14th Street Bridge. 

(4) L’Enfant Plaza: The JBG Companies has plans to build a 220,000 SF, LEED-Gold office building at 500 L’Enfant Plaza that will offer direct access to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station and connect to the retail area that was recently upgraded. The building would be south of the under-renovation L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, adjacent to the 9th Street tunnel.

Rendering courtesy of The JBG Companies

(5) 400 6th Street: Trammell Crow is currently building a 12-story, 342,000 SF office building at 400 6th Street, located across the street from Constitution Center and one of the entrances to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station. If Fannie Mae moved here, it would be near other financial-related tenants including the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; however, the site is not as prominent as some of the other options in Southwest. 

Rendering courtesy of Trammell Crow

L'Enfant Plaza Atrium Opens its Doors

On Monday, the JBG Companies celebrated the opening of the new glass atrium that serves as the entrance to the retail center at L'Enfant Plaza from the square facing 10th Street. The 32-foot high atrium brings natural light down into the retail center, which has been expanded from the initial phase that opened in 2011. Below are some photos taken earlier this week.

Along with the atrium, the landscaping surrounding it has been improved with trees and green space, and hardscape elements including cafe seating, tables, benches, and lighting. 

 

A wide staircase leads down from the square to the retail center, where soft seating has been installed along with television screens. WiFi access is available for patrons. The design of the second phase of the retail center is consistent with the first phase, which was designed by SmithGroup JJR. 

More seating is available near the restaurants that will soon open in the second phase. The first of the 13 new retail and dining establishments that will open in the second phase is scheduled to open this week (Charleys Philly Steaks), with the rest coming online over the next several weeks and months.

L'Enfant Plaza MusicFest Starts Today

L'Enfant Plaza MusicFest kicks off today on the remodeled plaza with a lunchtime concert featuring R&B performer Levi Stephens from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The JBG Companies has renovated the plaza area with a glass atrium that leads to the retail center, which is also being upgraded with new shops and restaurants.  There will be new soft seating, as well as Wi-Fi access. Below is the MusicFest schedule, which will occur every other Wednesday throughout the summer:

May 28 - Levi Stephens, R&B

June 11 - Paul Pfau, Blues/Rock

June 25 - Johnny Artis, R&B/Variety

July 9 - Mike Mallick, R&B/Variety

July 23 - Julia Fanning, Variety

August 6 - Rob Maletick, Jazz

August 20 - Special Occasion, Jazz/R&B/Funk

September 3 - Fly, featuring Nala D, Jazz/R&B

Additional Retailers Annouced for Phase II of L'Enfant Plaza

More retailers have been announced for the second phase of renovations at L’Enfant Plaza’s retail center, according to an ad taken out by The JBG Companies in the Washington Business Journal (subscribers only). These include: Amsterdam Falafelshop, Brown Bag, Charleys Philly Steaks, Church’s Chicken, Dress Barn, Elite Dry Cleaners, Italian Gourmet Deli, Naan & Beyond, Panda Express, Phillips Seafood, Red Robin’s Burger Works, Shoes by Lara, Subway, and a dentist office. Several of these retailers were already suspected of opening in the second phase in a post from last July, but the ad makes the arrival of these tenants official. Shoes by Lara is relocating from its downtown location and their tenant fit-out is underway in phase one of the retail center, while Phillips is relocating from the Southwest Waterfront. The retailers are expected to open in the summer/fall of this year. 

Atrium interior, designed by SmithGroup JJR

Meanwhile, Bike and Roll has opened in the ground floor of the north office building facing the plaza, which itself is transforming with the glass atrium erected and new lighting installed. The atrium will serve as the entrance to the renovated retail center. Bike and Roll relocated from the Old Post Office pavilion downtown. The L’Enfant Plaza Hotel is closed until 2015 as it is renovated (according to the hotel’s website) into “a modern and stylish version of its former self.” In addition, the north office building is under renovation. There is still some space available on the ground level of the north office building for retail, which can help active the plaza with the right kind of retailer, such as a restaurant with outdoor seating.

Rendering courtesy of The JBG Companies

A Few Monday Morning Quick Items: Stadium Supporter Website, L'Enfant Plaza Atrium, SW Waterfront is #1

DC United has created a website called Unite DC that explains the parameters of the deal between the city and the team to build a new stadium in Buzzard Point. The website also allows those who support the deal to send a form email to the DC Council.

Update: 49% support stadium deal per WCP.

Rendering courtesy of Gensler

The atrium at L'Enfant Plaza continues to take shape. Most of the glass has been installed on the atrium, which will serve as the new entrance to the revamped retail center. The area is a big construction zone, with the second phase of the retail center, northern office building, and the L'Enfant Plaza hotel closed for renovations. The second phase of the retail center is scheduled to open later this year.

The Southwest Waterfront neighborhood makes it to number one on PoPville's random list of Top 13 Revitalizing DC neighborhoods that he'd buy a house or invest in if he had extra cash.

More Retailers Announced for L'Enfant Plaza

On a recent trip to L'Enfant Plaza, I noticed a couple "Coming Soon" signs in the retail promenade. One of them was Brown Bag, which will replace Frozen Yogurt Indulgence. Brown  Bag serves breakfast, salads, sandwiches, noodles, and soups. A second sign was up for Shoes by Lara, located next door to Nash's Sporting Goods.  It appears that Nash's has reduced its footprint to accommodate Shoes by Lara. According to the Going Out Guide, Amsterdam Falafelshop will be opening in L'Enfant Plaza as well, aiming for an August or September opening. The above photo shows construction of the glass canopy from last month, but more progress has been made since then. A portion of the facade is now being installed.

Wharf Groundbreaking Next Month

It was announced at this evening's ANC 6D meeting by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront that they intend to hold a groundbreaking ceremony sometime in late March for phase one of The Wharf. Phase one includes parcels 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, and the waterfront park, which goes from west of 9th Street  to 7th Street and then skips to St. Augustine's at 6th and Maine avenues. More information about phase one can be found here. Waterfront establishments including Phillips Flagship and the Channel Inn have been given official notice that they must close by May 10th. The Channel Inn will become the construction office for the builders and the Capital Yacht Club will be moving its operations there until their new building is completed. Jenny's Asian Fusion may also reopen in a smaller space at the Channel Inn. Phillips Flagship will not be relocated to the Channel Inn, but has signed a lease in the neighborhood (presumably at L'Enfant Plaza since it was reported back in July that it was one of the restaurants that may open at phase two of the retail redevelopment). Cantina Marina and the Fish Market will remain open through construction of phase one, although the land side of the fish market will be cleaned up (above-ground utility poles will be relocated, etc.).

An eight-foot fence and signage will arrive at the waterfront over the next couple of weeks. The construction process of phase one will last approximately 42 months with completion expected in late 2017. One of the first things to happen on the site will be the construction of a 50-space parking lot for the Maine Avenue Fish Market, followed by lane closures along portions of Maine Avenue to allow the relocation of utilities from Water Street and the construction of a new northbound turn lane to the fish market. At the same time, the piers at Gangplank Marina will be dismantled. During this summer, more utility work will be done on Maine Avenue, Phillips Flagship will be demolished, and bulkhead demolition will occur. By the end of 2014, all utilities will be moved to Maine Avenue and excavation will begin on the site. Vertical construction will be done by the middle of 2016 with facade work and interiors completed by the fall of 2017.

Information about the construction schedule, including street closures, a FAQ, and other details will be posted on the project's website within the next 48 hours.

Renderings courtesy of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront