Mixed-Use Development Planned for 7-Eleven Site

I’m coming out of hiatus to report on plans that emerged for the northwest corner of South Capitol and M streets, considered to be the gateway to Southwest. JBG Smith applied with the Zoning Commission to develop a two-phase project on the site called 5 M Street, with a mix of uses including residential, ground floor retail, and potentially office. The site includes most of the block bounded by Half, L, South Capitol and M streets and will replace the 7-Eleven and parking lot currently on the site. New York-based Ruben Companies controls the northeast corner of the block (where the KFC/Taco Bell used to be) which is not part of the proposed project – an office building was planned for the 1101 South Capitol parcel, but the project website is no longer active. 

While the east side of South Capitol Street between the freeway and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge has filled up with multifamily buildings (and Nationals Park) in recent years, not much activity has occurred on the west side of the street. Camden South Capitol and the Capitol Skyline Hotel are the only large-scale buildings currently on the west side of the street, but more development is planned for the empty lots along the corridor. In addition to 5 M Street and 1101 South Capitol, a two-building development is planned to the north between K and L streets by Ruben Companies and the site north of Camden South Capitol was purchased recently by JAG to develop as a multifamily project. 

Current plans for 5 M Street include an L-shaped multifamily building along Half and L streets with 371 units and an office building along M and South Capitol streets with approximately 226,000 SF of space and over 25,000 SF of ground floor retail. The project is planned in phases – the office building with ground floor retail will be constructed first and the multifamily building after. The developer is asking for flexibility to change the proposed office building to multifamily depending on market conditions, which would increase the total number of units between the two phases to 688 units along with a slight reduction in the amount of ground floor retail. 

According to the zoning application, the Gensler-designed project includes a “modernist concrete and glass palette for the towers” to tie in with buildings in the Southwest and Navy Yard neighborhoods, as well as industrial elements due to its proximity to Buzzard Point. The entrance to the office (or multifamily) building will be on M Street while the other multifamily building will have its main entrance on L Street along with street access to units along Half and L streets. The multifamily units at 5 M Street will be all market-rate since current zoning does not require the addition of inclusionary zoning units, but the additional density requested for penthouse-level residential and commercial uses will require a donation to the city’s Housing Production Trust Fund. 

The ANC will review the project over the coming months, but at an initial meeting with the developers, the commissioners indicated they were not pleased with the concept design, as they felt it was in direct contrast to the surrounding neighborhood, particularly the former 2-3-story sanitary housing south of M Street on Carrollsburg Place and Half Street. Below are some renderings of the proposed development. What are your thoughts on the plan and design? 

S. Capitol & M (office option)

S. Capitol & M (multifamily option)

M and Half (office option)

M and Half (multifamily option)

South Capitol (office option)

South Capitol (multifamily option)

Renderings courtesy of Gensler

More Apartments and Community Center Planned at Waterfront Station

(This post is a portion of an article that appears in the May 2018 Hill Rag)

Waterfront Station and before it the Waterside Mall has served as the Town Center for the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood for decades. It contains the neighborhood’s only grocery store, as well as a pharmacy, restaurants, and professional services, including a dentist office. Two office buildings fully occupied by District government agencies and three rental apartment buildings are currently in place and a future phase with more rental apartments, retail, daycare center, and a black box theater is planned on the northeast parcel. Two other parcels have yet to be developed, which flank 4th Street and are located adjacent to the Waterfront Metro station entrance. 

The original stage one Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval for these two sites at 4th and M streets was for office, but developer Forest City has requested a change to residential. Its reason for the change in use is due to unfavorable conditions in the office market. The state of the office market has changed significantly since the Waterfront Station development was originally conceived in the aughts. Previously, the development was intended to be primarily office, with less retail and minimal residential. Prior to the Great Recession, Fannie Mae was going to move its headquarters to Waterfront Station, but they pulled out in the wake of financial troubles at the quasi-government agency. Over time, the plan for Waterfront Station has evolved in favor of more residential and retail and less office. 

Rendering of planned 375 M Street building

In its current proposal, Forest City plans to develop a 285-unit rental apartment building on the east parcel (375 M Street) with 18,830 square feet of ground floor retail along M Street and the Metro plaza, 32,400 square feet of commercial space intended for professional services tenants on the second floor, and a 6,000 square-foot community center on the first and second floors. This would be the third community center located in Southwest, joining the Randall Recreation Center and King-Greenleaf Recreation Center, but it would be the only one without adjacent recreation fields. The community center was proffered by the developer to win approval from ANC 6D, which was originally lukewarm to the idea of changing uses at the two remaining parcels at Waterfront Station from office to residential. As a part of the PUD, the developer has offered the community center rent-free for a period of 30 years and will contribute up to $565,000 for interior design and fit-out, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and initial start-up costs. 

Rendering of planned 425 M Street building

On the west parcel (425 M Street), the plan is to develop a 310-unit rental apartment building with 21,203 square feet of ground floor retail along 4th and M streets. The main residential entrance will be located at the northeast corner of the building. In both buildings, 8% of the floor area will be reserved for residents earning up to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and of that total, five units will be 3BR apartments. Under this proposal, the east parcel will be developed first, allowing for the west parcel to remain open space until the completion of the 325 M Street building. Part of the west parcel will house a trailer that will be the interim Southwest Branch library while a new library is built in its current location at 900 Wesley Place. 

For its part, the ANC has offered conditional support for the PUD. Portions of the PUD that the ANC supports include the community center, as well as the redesign of the project which provides less density and more setbacks than the original office design, a retail strategy, and traffic plan. However, one of the concerns brought by Commissioner Roger Moffatt, whose single-member district includes the 375 M Street site, was the ability for mom and pop retailers to occupy smaller spaces at the proposed development. It has proven to be difficult to get smaller retailers into the previous phases of the development since the buildings would not allow a tenant who needed less than 1,200 square feet to occupy space. While the U.S. Postal Service is not a “mom and pop” retailer, it was used as an example of a tenant that was unable to relocate to Waterfront Station because its need for a 900 square-foot space could not be accommodated. Other outstanding issues brought by ANC Vice Chair Andy Litsky include the selection of the community center operator and clarification on the “free rent” provision to include HVAC and electricity; improvements to public space at the Metro plaza; a traffic plan for the 4th and M streets intersection; placement of the Metrobus and Circulator bus stop along M Street; and other logistical concerns. 

The Zoning Commission will continue the hearing on May 10th and a final decision on the proposed development is expected in the coming months.

Renderings courtesy of Forest City

Countdown to Wharf Grand Opening

Mini golf in the summer? Check. 

Ice skating in the winter? Check. 

Multiple music venues? Check. 

Dozens of restaurants? Check. 

Parks and piers? Check. 

Office workers by day and residents and hotel guests by night? Check and Check. 

Now that the grand opening of District Wharf is only one month away, the development team of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront has released a listing of retail and office tenants and activities that will be coming to the southwest waterfront starting in October and over the next several months. The streets, promenades and alleyways within District Wharf will be teeming with activity. Most of the restaurants and retailers have already been announced over the past several months, but below is a comprehensive list: 

• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream 
• Blue Bottle Coffee The Brighton 
• Cantina Bambina 
• Cordial Craft Wine, Beer & Spirits 
• Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi 
• District Doughnut 
• Dolcezza Florentijn 
• Hank’s Oyster Bar 
• Jenny’s 
• Kaliwa by Cathal Armstrong 
• Kirwan’s Irish Pub 
• Kith/Kin by Kwame Onwuachi 
• La Vie 
• Lupo Marino 
• Mi Vida 
• Potomac Distilling Company 
• Rappahannock Oyster Company 
• Requin by Mike Isabella 
• Shake Shack 
• Southwest Soda Pop Shop 
• Nick Stefanelli’s Italian Market and Restaurant 
• Taylor Gourmet 
• Velo Café at District Hardware 
• Whiskey Charlie 
• A Beautiful Closet 
• Anchor on board with West Marine Pro 
• Bella Moda Salon & Spa
• Blink Optical 
• Blush Med Skincare 
• CVS Health 
• d/Eleven 
• DC Row 
• District Hardware and Bike 
• Harper Macaw 
• Ligne Roset 
• L’occitane Spa 
• Martha Spak Gallery 
• Patrick’s Fine Linens & Home Décor 
• Politics and Prose Bookstore 
• The Press 
• Yoga Factory 

With all of the new restaurants opening in the next few months, one existing establishment will be closing – at least temporarily. Cantina Marina will close on October 28 until 2021 or 2022 when it will reopen in a new pier to be constructed during phase II of the District Wharf development. 

Previously unannounced office tenants include the following: 

• Lumark Technologies (800 Maine) 
• Capital Guidance (1000 Maine) 
• SK Law (1000 Maine) 
• Socially Determined (1000 Maine) 

A four-day kickoff celebration will be held to commemorate the opening of District Wharf, including fireworks, live entertainment, and other free events.  A complete listing of events can be found here. The festivities will begin with the Opening Ceremony on Thursday and will culminate with a fireworks show. Each day will include a headliner performer: 

• Thursday, October 12: The Bacon Brothers 
• Friday, October 13: Go Go Gadjet 
• Saturday, October 14: White Ford Bronco 
• Sunday, October 15: Howard Gospel Choir 

Water taxis will connect District Wharf with Georgetown, Alexandria, and National Harbor as well as a free jitney service to East Potomac Park. An app has been developed for District Wharf and will be available in October. Stay tuned!

Photo Tour Part 1: District Wharf

On a picture perfect Saturday, I decided to go around and take photos of most of the construction activity in the quadrant. First up was District Wharf. It’s hard to believe the first phase will finally open in less than two months! Of course, portions of the first phase are already complete - 525 Water and St. Augustine's Church were completed in 2016 and Waterfront Park, with a portion dedicated to DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton opened last spring. Leasing has begun at both apartment buildings along Maine Avenue – Incanto and The Channel. Meanwhile, a large share of the condo units at VIO have already been pre-sold and two of the office buildings have landed tenants that traditionally wouldn’t locate in Southwest, including a law firm. One tenant I neglected to mention previously is Washington Gas, which according to the Washington Business Journal will move its headquarters from 101 Constitution Avenue NW to 1000 Maine Avenue and will occupy at least 70,000 SF of space in two floors. The Anthem continues to line up acts for its inaugural year of operations, including Foo Fighters, who will perform on opening night - October 12. Dozens of restaurants will be opening in the coming months, although only a few non-restaurant retailers have been announced so far, such as CVS, District Hardware & Bike & Cafe, The Press, Bella Moda Salon and Spa, and Cordial Craft Wine, Beer & Spirits. Below are some photos taken from East Potomac Park:

Going from west to east (or left to right): VIO, Canopy by
Hilton and Hyatt House hotels, the gazebo at 7th Street Park
and the recreation pier.

From left to right: Intercontinental Hotel, Capitol Yacht Club,
VIO, Canopy by Hilton and Hyatt House hotels.

From left to right: 1000 Maine Avenue, The Channel
apartments, and District Pier.

Zoomed-in view of The Channel apartments and the entrance to
the Anthem, as well as the Transit Pier, with space for
Cantina Marina Bambina.

From Maine Avenue, one can see more details coming along, including signs for parking garages and entrances to buildings. Don't try to follow the parking garage signs just yet though...the garages are not open to the public yet.  See below:

Hyatt House faces 7th Street Park, which now has landscaping
and lighting installed.

A sliver of Incanto apartments, 800 Maine, and The Channel.

A portion of The Channel apartments, which has over 500 units.

View of 800 Maine, District Square, & The Channel apartments.

Pier 4 office building from Waterfront Park

A view of the first phase of District Wharf from 10th Street.

Capitol Hill Firm Moving to The Wharf

Add another lobbying firm to the list of office tenants at The Wharf. If was announced that Cornerstone Government Affairs will relocate its headquarters from Capitol Hill to 800 Maine Avenue in 2018. The public policy firm will take 15,000 SF of space on the 7th floor of the 11-story office building. Cornerstone Government Affairs will join the American Psychiatric Association, MakeOffices, and Van Scoyoc Associates at 800 Maine. 

In retail and restaurant news, the following liquor licenses were supported by the ANC at last week’s meeting: 

• Hank’s Oyster Bar (facing 7th Street Park on the ground floor of Canopy by Hilton)
• Shake Shack (on Wharf Street near to the entrance of The Anthem)
• Intercontinental Hotel (restaurant, lobby bar, and rooftop bar) 
• Kaliwa by Cathal Armstrong (ground floor of Vio Condominiums on Pearl Street)
• Cantina Marina Bambina (on Transit Pier near The Anthem)
• The Brighton (on Wharf Street next to entrance of The Anthem)
• La Vie (near District Square on the ground floor of The Channel Apartments)
• Marinai Pizzeria (an Italian restaurant from the same owners of Station 4 on the ground floor of Incanto apartments on Pearl Street ) 

The only one not supported was for The Anthem. In light of the reduction in hours on Metro, the ANC has concerns about the egress of concertgoers late in the evening. A group of commissioners will negotiate with the operator to come up with a solution that will give the ANC more confidence to give their support for the liquor license. 

Rendering courtesy of Hoffman Madison Waterfront

Two Waterfront Station Parcels Switching to Residential

Last month, Forest City Washington filed to extend stage one PUD approval for 375 and 425 M Street, two office buildings proposed at the southern end of Waterfront Station. It was anticipated that the extension request would be followed by another filing to change the proposed primary use at the two development sites to residential since the developer made their intention known at the February ANC meeting. That filing was made earlier this month. The developer is now proposing two buildings with 41,870 SF of ground floor retail, 38,110 SF of commercial space on the second floor, and a total of 605 residential units above. The East building (375 M) will contain 309 units, 21,930 SF of retail and 18,660 SF of commercial space; the West building (425 M) will have 296 units, 19,940 SF of retail and 19,450 SF of commercial space. A minimum of 8% of the gross floor area will be dedicated to households earning up to 60% of Area Median Income. Four of the affordable units will be 3-bedroom apartments. 

425 M Street

375 M Street

Perkins Eastman has designed the buildings, the same architect that designed Eliot on 4th. From the PUD application: 

The architectural design for the East and West M buildings has been revised to accommodate residential use, incorporate effective urban design strategies, engage the surrounding public spaces, and support the unique town-center environment created by the overall project. The proposed mix of uses and architectural design for the East and West M buildings will benefit the community, enliven the streetscape, and provide additional services for residents, employees, and visitors who live and work in the neighborhood.  

Above the third floor, each of the buildings opens up as a C-shaped tower that faces M Street. A south-facing courtyard is located at this fourth level, with access provided to individual terraces for units facing the courtyard and to a communal outdoor recreation space for building residents. The courtyard is elevated above the three-level podium of retail, office, and residential uses, which creates a pedestrian-scale street wall with vibrant retail storefronts that maximize transparency. 

Retail next to Metro plaza

Retail along M Street

Parking will be provided below-grade for both buildings, with entrances off of the private drives around the site, removing the need for curb cuts along M Street. A total of 363 parking spaces will be provided, split between the two buildings. The Capital Bikeshare station currently located on the west side of 4th Street will be relocated to the east side adjacent to the Metro plaza. 

Looking south on 4th Street

Originally, Waterfront Station was planned as mostly office buildings with a minor residential component. Over time, the plans were modified – first, the site where Eliot on 4th apartments now stands changed uses from office to residential. Now, the planned office buildings along M Street may now proceed as residential. The reason for the changes in use are due to evolving market conditions. The office market is not as strong as it once was, while rental apartments are now the preferred asset type. This new proposal will be brought to the ANC to garner their support; however, Chairman Litsky had concerns about the change in use when it was mentioned at the February meeting.

Renderings courtesy of Perkins Eastman

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.

A Couple Quick Items: Sale! Sold!

Less than a week after groundbreaking at Audi Field, a development site in Buzzard Point hit the market. Currently home to USA Motors auto shop, the 15,620 SF parcel at 45 Q Street is up for sale, which can yield up to 128,000 SF of new development. The site is located between Nationals Park and Audi Field and has frontage on both Half and Q streets. The block also includes a U-Haul Moving and Storage facility, an auto repair shop and a warehouse – the latter will be demolished to make way for the new traffic oval at the base of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. To the south of the parcel for sale, a triangular site will become green space as part of the Douglass Bridge project. 

Meanwhile, an empty office building on D Street was sold according to the Washington Business Journal. Above is a photo from April 2015 when it was still under construction. An Atlanta-based firm called Goddard Investment Group purchased the 348,000 SF building at 500 D Street (also known as National Square) for $93 million. The building was constructed in 2015 by Trammell Crow Company and is still awaiting its first tenant.

More Residential for Waterfront Station?

Since PUD approval for the two Waterfront Station vacant sites at the intersection of 4th and M streets are nearing expiration, Forest City Washington is seeking a two-year extension. The two-year extension may not be necessary if they get approval for a revision to their plans. Even though the two vacant sites were planned as office buildings, about 600 more apartment units may be built instead. David Smith from Forest City Washington made the company’s intention known at tonight’s ANC 6D meeting to revise their PUD to allow residential development. The change was made because office market conditions are currently not favorable in the area and the anticipation is that won't change anytime soon. This isn’t the first time one of the Waterfront Station sites changed uses. The Eliot on 4th apartment building was originally planned as office, but switched to residential for the same reason. 

The switch in use from office to residential would result in no changes to density or height approved in the original PUD, but the design by Perkins Eastman scales down the height of the buildings along 4th Street to match 1100 and 1101 4th Street, which opened in 2010. Each building would be C-shaped with an elevated courtyard space facing M Street and have a green roof. Development plans are still preliminary, but the two proposed residential buildings would each have 17,500 SF of ground floor retail and 17,500 SF of office space on the second floor. The retail and office space would be along M Street and 4th Street. Above the two-level commercial base would be the rental apartment towers. Entrances to the residential buildings would be on the north side on 4th Street while the entrances to the office space would be on M Street. About 8% of the units will be set aside as affordable to residents earning up to 60% of AMI and some of the units would include 2BR and 3BR units to accommodate families. 

Forest City intends to file their modification to the PUD in about two weeks.

Photo from ANC meeting of rendering courtesy of Forest City Washington

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

Law Firm, Additional Retailers, Water Taxis, and Construction Update for District Wharf

It was announced at a press event this morning with the Spanish tall ship replica El Galeón as a backdrop (alas, I was unable to attend) that law firm Fish + Richardson will occupy 60,000 SF of space on the top two floors of 1000 Maine, a 250,000 SF trophy office building just starting to come out of the ground on parcel one of District Wharf next to the...Municipal Fish Market. The law firm will move from its current downtown location by May 2018. This is the first office tenant announced for 1000 Maine, but more than 65% of 800 Maine has already been pre-leased. The third office building under construction is Pier 4, which will be partially occupied by Entertainment Cruises. In other tenant news, more retail leases were announced: 

• Blue Bottle Coffee: a San Francisco-based artisan coffee roaster will open in the Market Square area of District Wharf near the Municipal Fish Market. 
• FLORENTIJN: a unique, ultra-modern Belgian-concept bistro by Chef Jan Van Haute. 
• The Press: a neighborhood dry cleaning and laundry shop with tailoring services by Je Kang.

Bisnow reported that two additional retailers will be coming as well, including Ben & Jerry’s and Bella Moda Salon & Spa. 

Entertainment Cruises will operate a water taxi service which will connect District Wharf with Georgetown, Nationals Park, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor, as well as the potential for a larger network in the near future (perhaps to the new D.C. United stadium in Buzzard Point or Reagan National Airport?). The vessels will have a maximum capacity of 100 and will allow bikes and luggage on board. They will also have WiFi access and outlets available. Using new vessels designed for faster travel in no-wake zones, a water taxi trip from District Wharf to Old Town Alexandria will take about 20 minutes. The water taxi service will operate from March to December, with peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day with three routes that pick up passengers at District Wharf more than 10 times daily. During the non-peak season, there will be less frequent service with a minimum of four pick-ups per day. 

In addition, during Monday’s ANC 6D meeting it was announced that a free water taxi jitney will connect District Wharf with East Potomac Park. The boats will hold up to 12 passengers and will depart District Wharf from the Transit Pier. A new pier will be built in East Potomac Park near where a historic pier was located. The jitney will also operate from March to December. 

Meanwhile, construction continues on Z Dock, which will be used by the liveaboards at Gangplank Marina once completed in early 2017. Afterwards, the docks by what was formerly 7th Street Landing will be demolished so construction can begin on the 7th Street Recreation Pier. Portions of the park near the Titanic Memorial have reopened and Waterfront Park should be completed by April 2017. While the Washington Business Journal reports that the Washington Kastles will not return to The Wharf in a planned floating barge, part of the Transit Pier will have an ice skating rink during winter.

The first phase of District Wharf is scheduled to be complete by October 12, 2017, but initial planning is already underway for phase two (parcels 6-10), which includes the Gangplank Marina, three office buildings, an apartment building, a condo building, retail, and public spaces. The design team has already been selected and plans will be submitted to the Zoning Commission in 2017 with a hearing likely scheduled for next summer. Parcels 8 through 10 are referred to as Phase 2A, which will get underway sooner than the other remaining parcels. Here is a summary of what is currently planned at each parcel: 

• Parcels 6 & 7: 500,000 SF of trophy office space with ground floor retail (two levels of retail on parcel 6) which will be built depending on market conditions 
• Parcel 8: 225,000 SF of rental apartments with ground floor retail 
• Parcel 9: A 155,000 SF of condominiums with ground floor retail 
• Parcel 10: A 65,000 SF office building described as a “jewel box” with ground floor retail 

Construction on Phase 2A is expected to start in mid-2018 with completion in 2021, so there will be less than one year of a lull in construction between phase one and phase two. 

Renderings courtesy of Hoffman Madison Waterfront

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

Leasing Begins at 1000 Maine

Leasing has commenced for 1000 Maine, an office building currently under construction at The Wharf, the development team announced today in a press release. From the looks of it, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront is looking to land a high-profile anchor tenant. From the press release: 

"1000 Maine offers both extraordinary creative office space and the opportunity for classic customized space within a top-tier trophy building with dramatic floor plates," said Amer Hammour, chairman of Madison Marquette. "1000 Maine's setting overlooking the Potomac River - in the heart of the nation's Capital - and with a full complement of outstanding amenities, creates a new benchmark in excellence for office design created to appeal to the most discerning national and global office tenants." 

1000 Maine will be a 250,000 SF trophy office building, designed by Kohn Pederson Fox and Fox Architects for LEED-Gold certification, with ground floor retail, a multi-story atrium, and panoramic views of the Washington Channel and monumental Washington. The office building is scheduled to deliver in 2017. Below is a promotional video from the building’s website.

In other Wharf news, according to the Washington Business Journal, building permits have been obtained for components of Phase I in recent weeks, including Parcel 2 and Parcel 3a. Parcel 2 will contain Wharf Hall and two apartment buildings, as well as a co-generation plant. Parcel 3a is 800 Maine Avenue, an office building that will be the future home of the American Psychiatric Association. Meanwhile, construction is underway at Waterfront Park, located behind 525 Water Street condos and the new St. Augustine’s Church, which should deliver in 2016.

Rendering courtesy of Hoffman-Madison Waterfront

Wharf Bottoms Out, First Office Tenant Announced

Yesterday was the "bottoming out" ceremony for the first phase of The Wharf, which means excavation at the massive site has been completed. The project began construction back in March of 2014 and the first phase is scheduled to deliver in the fall of 2017. On the same day as the ceremony, it was announced that the first office tenant for 800 Maine Avenue has been secured.

According to a press release, the tenant will be the American Psychiatric Association (APA) which is moving back to DC from Rosslyn with more than 200 employees. The APA will occupy 63,000 SF of space, or three floors of the planned 11-story, 220,000 SF building. 800 Maine Avenue (formally known as Parcel 3A) will be located adjacent to District Pier at the gateway to The Wharf and will have private rooftop terraces. It's also next to the planned Intercontinental Hotel.

Renderings courtesy of Hoffman Madison Waterfront

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