CityCenter DC - the mega development in the heart of downtown - is at last celebrating an executed lease for office space at the two office buildings on 11th Street. Law firm giant Covington and Burling officially announced this week they will occupy 420,000 s.f. in the office buildings when they move in the summer of 2014, accounting for 80% of the office space. Developers Archstone and Hines and Qatari financial backer Barwa Bank.
The 10-acre project will feature two condominiums, two apartment buildings, and the two office buildings, as well as 295,000 s.f. of retail that developers are hoping will create a new fashion center downtown. Developers hope to turn over the retail space to tenants in late 2013, with retailers beginning to open in early 2014. In their excitement at the office lease, Hines released a new rendering of the office building at 10th & H Streets.
Below are photos of the project from this week:
Photography by Rey Lopez
13 comments:
Such an amazing opportunity to fill a coveted spot downtown, and it's been done with as little pizzazz or finesse possible. Those boxy glass buildings are as snooze-worthy as it gets.
Bland...
I agree that the buildings are looking fairly bland, but I am still hopeful for some great public spaces in between those boxes.
brilliant pictures, Ken!
Well thanks! Though I didn't take the pictures, I'll still take credit. To answer anon, these are maxed-out office buildings, contextually I think they will look appropriate, and there will be a grand pedestrian court that has the potential to be very interesting.
The condo and apartment buildings and the public spaces are where the architectural pizzazz lies. Just think of the office buildings as minimalist jewel boxes.
People, It's not done yet. These are easily going to be the most architecturally significant new residential buildings in the city. I would cut off my right arm to live here.
>I would cut off my right arm to live here.
You might have to. 1 BR condos here *start* in the $500s!!
no word on the apple store rumor?
ps: the software company comment is spam. hope you delete it when you read mine.
As someone who had the misfortune to live behind the atrocious monolithic old convention center (never was I happy to see surface parking than after they blasted it away), I think the development falls into the category of "thank goodness for any change."
I am pleased they are restoring the street grid, and the public spaces alone will add some interest and variety and greenery.
It seems that Hines is doing many things right in this development, and doubtless in the end it will be an asset to the city, especially if the retail program succeeds. But honestly, has "starchitect" Norman Foster's name ever previously been associated with such run-of-the-mill buildings? It even seems that Foster & Hines have brought down the local architect of record, Shalom Baranes, a firm whose work almost always has more pizzazz than this one.
and those who complain about the floor to ceiling glass - it wasn't that long ago that we had to BEG to have that built in dc. this is progress, allowing direct connection to the city - its streets, its action - and add a vibrant mix of living and working. this is what we've been asking for. no more small windows harbored in stone.
This places are very expensive but...probably the best place to live in downtown dc by far.
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