Villages at Pepper Mill Project Breaks Ground in PG County

The Addison Road metro station will soon have a new neighbor (well, in 2010, that is), as developers Structures Unlimited and Foster Communities broke ground last week on The Villages at Pepper Mill, a $36 million residential project on the old Baber Village public housing site in Capitol Heights. The community will contain 96 townhouses on 20 acres, with sales expected to start in late 2007. The Villages at Pepper Mill will join the Icon, a 170-condo project near the metro at the intersection of Addison Road and Central Avenue that broke ground this past August.

Plans Announced for The Village at Leesburg Project

On November 16, Kettler and Cypress Equities officially announced their joint venture’s development plans for The Village at Leesburg, a major mixed-use project to be located along Route 7. According to plans, Kettler will handle the residential side of the project, providing 350 condos and building a 300-home adult residential community. Meanwhile, Cypress will develop 464,000 sf of retail, including a Wegmans grocery store and restaurants, and 200,000 sf of office space. Kettler may also oversee construction of additional office space and a hotel. A major selling point with the town and Loudoun County is the developers’ commitment to build a new highway interchange and overpass at the intersection of Route 7 and River Creek Parkway. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2007.

Eckington Fairfield Residential Project Now Off?

Despite earlier reports that groundbreaking would start in June 2007, it now appears that Fairfield Residential and CSX Realty Development will not be pursuing their $150 million mixed-use development at Eckington Place and Harry Thomas Way, NE. Word on the neighborhood Bloomingdale blog is that CSX has decided to not sell the land for this project. The development, to be located on 4.3 acres across the street from XM Satellite Radio and north of the Fedex center just off the intersection of New York and Florida Avenues, was to feature three buildings containing up to 675 condo units, 15,000 sf of retail, and almost 800 parking spaces, with about 70 of the units reserved for workforce housing. The project was to also extend Q Street NE through the project, and connect it to the nearby Metropolitan Branch Trail (which travels under New York Avenue and then becomes elevated over Florida Avenue alongside the Red Line tracks). 

Washington D.C. real estate development news

Congress Grants Approval to Federal Land Transfer to DC

The gears of legislative process grind forward, and fans of soccer and baseball (and development!) should feel some joy. On November 16, the US Senate approved legislation (the House ok’d it earlier this month) that will transfer dozens of Federal land lots located in the District to the DC government, including title to 100-acre Poplar Point (pictured) across the Anacostia, considered to be the site for DC United’s new soccer stadium and additional development, and smaller properties along Potomac Avenue that will make up part of the new Nationals baseball stadium complex. Also included in the transfer are 66 acres around the old DC General Hospital at Massachusetts Avenue and 19th Street SE that are targeted for a new major development featuring housing, retail, and parks. Besides gaining this land for economic development, it will also bring in needed tax revenue, as the Feds didn’t pay property tax on the lots.

DC to Developers: Be Green

If legislation just drafted by the DC Council is approved next month, Washington might soon become the model for major cities looking to become more environmentally and energy friendly. The new bill would initially require all new DC-owned projects (offices, schools, housing, etc.) between 2007 and 2009 to meet “green” standards, with this requirement extended after 2009 to all building receiving more than 20% percent public financing. By 2012, DC will require every new commercial building over 50,000 sf to meet the green guidelines. This would mark the first time a major city has required private developers to follow green standards. “Green” requirements (which are defined by the Green Building Council) include such things as using recycled materials, placing plantings on roofs to help with water run-off and temperature control, more walking-friendly designs, etc. Those opposed to such a measure claim it will greatly add to constructions costs. However, supporters assert it would be much less, plus there are savings in the long term with more conservation-oriented designs. Now only if these green designs and plantings could absorb all the hot air emissions coming from Capitol Hill....

Our Long National(s) Nightmare is Over...

Well, until something else comes up, that is. But it appears a major step has been taken forward in the ongoing saga of parking next to the National’s new ballpark in Southwest DC. On November 14, the DC Council finally approved legislation that would put two three-story, free-standing parking structures north of the stadium (and one two-story structure south of it) in time for its opening in Spring 2008. This vote overruled the DC Zoning Commission’s ruling this past July banning such a parking solution, finding it would harm economic development in the area. Back when the ballpark project was first announced and everything was smiles and roses, soon-to-be-ex Mayor Williams envisioned a below-grade parking solution to allow for mixed-use development above the garage as part his Anacostia revitalization plans, and went so far as to reach an agreement with developer Herb Miller to build two 13-story condo towers on the site (this fell through in September when DC Sports and Entertainment objected about the project’s financing). However, the Lerner family – the new Nationals owners - wanted less expensive free-standing, above-ground parking, as they feared a more ambitious plan wouldn't be ready in time. In the end, Mayor-to-be Fenty pushed forward the Lerner plan. The vote this week at least solves what was shaping up to be a major headache - the city is required to provide 1,225 parking spaces by March 1, 2008 or face heavy penalties. One can only hope that the same efforts placed into this parking situation will be put into building a winning baseball team – if so we’ll have some World Series victories coming.

JBG Begins Construction on Capitol Hill Office Building

JBG has begun construction on its newest office project at 300 New Jersey Ave., NW, located across from the U.S. Capitol and bordered by New Jersey Avenue, First and D Streets. 300 New Jersey Avenue will be a 10-story, 255,000 s.f. office building adjacent to JBG’s 51 Louisiana Avenue, a 5-story office building built in 1935. The two buildings will be connected by a glass and steel 9-story atrium capped with a trapezoidal skylight and interconnected by platforms and bridges that will resolve the differing building heights. The project will offer 9 foot ceilings and floor to ceiling glass along the perimeter walls with Capitol views when finished in 2009. Designed by London-based Richard Rogers Partnership (RRP), its third in the United States. In late 2005, Richard Rogers Partnership was selected to develop 3 World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan.

In March of 2006, JBG leased approximately 150,000 s.f. of the building to Jones Day, one of the world’s largest law firms and currently occupies the adjacent building. Clark Construction Group of Bethesda, Maryland, has been selected as the project’s general contractor. Dallas, Texas based HKS is the architect of record.

JBG is very active in the greater DC market with condominiums, apartments and office buildings, nearing completion on its Waterview project in Rosslyn with 160 hotel rooms, 620,000 s.f. of office space and 136 luxury condos, as well as its Marriott Wardman project, and just beginning its project to renovate and convert the 1300-room hotel in Woodley Park into condos and apartments.

Historic St. Elizabeths Hospital to Get Makeover

Last week, District planning officials finally completed their proposal for what to do with the well-known St. Elizabeths Hospital site in Southeast Washington, announcing that they intend to clear way for 2 million sf of office space, retail, and high-end apartments. The St. Elizabeths campus site - designated a National Historic Landmark – consists of mostly vacant, poorly maintained 19th century terra cotta buildings (many of these will be preserved). It is located next to the Congress Heights metro, and is poised to be the centerpiece in this rapidly revitalizing area. The District owns about half of this vacant site (the federal government owns the rest, and is planning to move the Coast Guard HQ and DHS offices to this location). The District, once the proper zoning has been approved, would like to develop the site in gradual phases, starting in 2008 with the construction of 260,000 sf of office and 150,000 of residential in the section closest to the metro station. The rest of the development would take place over the following decade. No word yet if an apartment will be saved for former St. E resident John Hinckley Jr.

Navy Makes Way for Peace on the Mall

A new building with a lighted, wing-like roof will soon loom over the Capital Mall near the Lincoln Memorial, if recently submitted designs are approved. The United States Institute for Peace (USIP) received preliminary approval by the National Capital Planning Commission last week for plans to build its headquarters at 23rd and Constitution Avenue, NW, conditioned on the building's aesthetic deferral to the Lincoln Memorial one block to the south. Designed by Moshe Safdie of Massachusetts, the Institute would stand 118 feet at its highest point - about 10 stories - though grading around the site will diminish the scale of the project, with a precast concrete skin and capped by a series of "undulating spherical and toroidal segments" made of white translucent glass that will be lighted after dark. The Federal Government has appropriated $99.2m for development on the southern corner of the Naval Potomac Annex, which currently uses the space for parking, in exchange USIP will provide 140 garage parking spaces to the Navy. The Commission on Fine Arts has already approved the concept, but several commissioners voiced strong concern about the lighting overshadowing the monuments or overwhelming the Mall.

Southwest Waterfront Project Hits Rough Seas

It was all smiles and seemingly smooth sailing ahead in early October, when the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) announced the DC-based venture of PN Hoffman and Struever Brothers Eccles & Rouse as the winning team for its $800 million project to develop the 47 acres along the Southwest waterfront into "maritime-themed" housing and retail. But now comes word that this much-watched project might be running aground over questions regarding transfer of the land, now owned by the National Capital Revitalization Corp. (NCRC), to the AWC. The NCRC states it was promised incentives by DC for the land transfer, including $25 million in cash, $25 million in land parcels along Georgia Avenue, and 25 acres at the McMillan Reservoir site, while the DC Council is now only promising the McMillan land – a deal not acceptable to the NCRC. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the DC Council this week to end the stalemate. But even if this succeeds, the AWC is also dealing with demands by JBG Cos., a developer bypassed in the selection process but which controls half of the development site via its venture with two existing businesses on the site. JBG is asking the PN Hoffman team to negotiate with it and be involved with this development project – something the winning team is bristling at doing. The AWC is trying to find a workable solution to this unexpected headache. Stay tuned for the results...

Update: On November 7, the DC Council’s Economic Development Committee passed legislation resolving the land swap issue. Under this bill, the NCRC will transfer its waterfront land to the AWC in exchange for the $25 million, the other DC land parcels, and 25 acres of the McMillan site. The full council is not expected to vote on this bill – which may still be altered - until November 14.

College Park Approves New Mixed-Use Project

Last week, the College Park (MD) City Council voted unanimously to approve a mixed-used development proposed by JPI Management for the intersection of Route 1 and Cherokee Street that would include 160 condo units, a 4,000-sf gym, and 35,000 sf of retail, all surrounded by 45 townhouses. This development was at first rejected in 2005 when presented to the Prince George’s County Council, which expressed concern that the original plans for a residential-only project did not conform to the College Park’s master plan for Route 1. However, JPI’s reconfiguration of the project to a mixed-use development has dissipated this opposition. JPI has also agreed to provide shuttle bus service for residents of this development through 2010 to help ease congestion along Route 1. Construction is expected to begin in early 2007, with a completion date of early 2008.

Canal Park Advances Near Ballpark

The National Capital Planning Commission gave approval this week to the design concept for Canal Park in Southeast DC, a gritty piece of land near the new ballpark currently used to store school buses. The current plans, paid for with a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts, will encompass three full city blocks between I and M Streets, and between Canal and 2nd Streets. The District government, which currently owns the site, will transfer the land to the Anacostia Waterfront Commission for development and maintenance. The park will be broken up by K and L Streets, but the AWC will take steps to make the park more pedestrian-friendly, including narrowing the streets from 34 feet to 28 feet and adding raised crosswalks. The park will feature an amphitheater on the South side along M Street, a boardwalk along the western edge and large, open green space, but its most prominent attribute will be its water theme, with aquatic gardens fed from storm run-off and water attractions accessible to the public. Design of the park is intended to evoke the canal that used to run across the site, connecting the Anacostia River to the National Mall.

Macy Announces New Project on U Street

Macy Development has announced the development of a new project at 1900 Vermont Avenue, called Evanti Row, that will renovate 10 existing rowhomes for residential occupancy when the project is complete in late 2007. Prices are expected to start in the $700k's. Designed by Zahn Architects, sales will likely start in early 2007. Evanti Row is named after Madam Evanti, the first internationally-renowned black opera singer, who hailed from the neighborhood. Macy is currently working on several other DC projects, including the Basilica Lofts, The Gaslight and The Venetian.

Sales Begin for Abdo’s Wooster and Mercer Lofts Project

After many months of waiting, Abdo Development, LLC, officially announced on November 1 that it has started sales for its Wooster and Mercer Lofts project at Clarendon Blvd. and Queen Street in Arlington. The Mercer Lofts building will house 34 condo units averaging about 1,500 sf, while its sister building Wooster Lofts will contain 53 units. Both brick structures will feature 17-foot ceilings and floating stairs, penthouses with 21-foot high living spaces, private roof terraces, and underground parking and storage. There will also be a garden pool between the buildings. Pricing begins in the $500,000s and goes up to $2 million. Delivery is expected by early 2007.

Five Developers Bid on McMillan Site

The National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) announced today that 5 development teams responded to its solicitation for development of Phase I of the McMillan sand filtration site along N. Capitol Street. The respondents were Horning Brothers, Republic Land Development, KSI Services, Inc., EYA and EastBanc, Inc. Each group has to have in place a development team consisting of Local Small Disadvantage Business Enterprises (LSDBEs) that must participate in the project’s equity stake in order to get the nod. Original plans incorporated massive mixed-use development, including 1200 residential units, with affordable housing, 100,000 s.f. of retail, a community center and "cultural center". No timeline has been set for choosing the developer.

Approval Granted for Two Columbia Pike Projects

This past week, the Arlington County Board issued its approval for two new projects along Columbia Pike as part of the county’s "Town Center" revitalization effort. The first project receiving the Board’s approval is Penrose Square (pictured), which will be located on Columbia Pike between Cleveland and Adams Street. This project, which will replace the existing Adams Square strip shopping center, will include 299 rental apartments, a new 61,500-sf Giant grocery store, and 36,000 sf of retail. The developers, Carbon Thompson Developers and B.M. Smith and Associates, will also provide land for a public plaza to be built by the county. The Board also approved a new project by developer Georgelas Group LLC, that will contain 188 rental units, 32,000 sf of retail, and 14,000 sf of office space, plus 408 parking spots. This development will be built on the site of the old Safeway store on Columbia Pike between Adams and Wayne Streets.

MRP Realty to Build Mixed-Use Development Near New York Avenue Metro

MRP Realty, the new development company recently formed by ex-Trammell Crow executives, appears ready to close on land at the intersection of Florida and New Your Avenues in NoMa, and hopes to break ground on its planned 950,000-sf mixed-use project by the end of this year. The development, next to the New York Avenue metro, is expected to consist of two office buildings, a hotel, and some residential housing (though the number of units is not yet known). With this intersection also featuring the new ATF building and a slew of other new residential and commercial projects, the MRP development will join a busy crossroads.

Metro to Put Up Three Prime Sites for Development

As part of its yearly drive to bring in money for its long-term transit projects and spur residential and retail development, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has released three prime and long-unavailable sites alongside existing metro stops to private developers, and bids on these lots must be sent to WMATA by November 17. The three sites now up for bidding are: (1) a former air conditioning facility (14,000 sf) alongside the Navy Yard metro station in Southeast, located at Half and L Street SE, plus a 4,000-sf lot next to the metro entrance; (2) seven acres of a park-and-ride lot and bus terminal near the Capitol Heights metro stop in Prince George's County (this land would be sold instead of leased to a developer if the county decides to allow condos there); and (3) eight wooded acres near the Backlick Road VRE site (recently rezoned from industrial to commercial and residential use). The leases on all these sites will be for 60 years. WMATA will evaluate the bids starting November 17, and if a developer is selected for a site, the local jurisdiction will then review the proposal.

Monument Halves its Chase Condo Project in Bethesda

Monument Realty has "temporarily" stopped sales on half of its condo conversion project in Bethesda. The Chase, which sits across from the Bethesda Metro station, began sales in May of its two 7-story buildings - a North tower (122 units) and a South tower (255 units) at Woodmont and Edgemoor Rds, both former apartment buildings currently under renovation. While the sales office reports that 87 of the units have sold, slow sales in the North tower have caused Monument to freeze sales of that portion. Monument says that this is just a temporary shift to "focus the project" on the better-selling portion and that they are not abandoning sales, but buyers under contract in the North tower are reportedly being encouraged to switch to the South side, and settlements are being scheduled in the South tower only. Monument has already cancelled two conversion projects this year – the Prime in Arlington and the Park Center of Alexandria – but has plenty of work left with its Watergate hotel conversion, a 3.5 acre parcel across from the new stadium that will develop into an 800,000 s.f. mixed-use project when ground is broken early next year, as well as three other condo projects that are still selling. Condos at the Chase are offering a balconies, garage parking, a fitness center, concierge services, 2 pools and 2 tennis courts, priced from the high $200k's for a studio, the mid $300's for a one bedroom and from the high $500's for a two bedroom.

Montgomery County Planning Board Reviews Mixed-Use Designs for Silver Spring Project

On Thursday, October 26, the Montgomery County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MC-MNCPPC) heard proposals from three development teams competing to design and build a new mixed-use project on 3.24 acres at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Spring Street, at the northwestern entrance to downtown Silver Spring. The development will include the new headquarters for the Montgomery County Park and Planning Commission (MCPPC), as well as workforce housing and retail. The three development teams selected to make presentations were: (1) Silver Place Joint-Venture, LLC (Donohoe Companies, Otis Warren & Company and MCF Investment Company), which is proposing to erect three buildings on the site (one residential, one mixed-use with residential, office space, and retail, and the PPC headquarters; (2) SilverPlace, LLC (Bozutto Group, Spaulding & Slye, and Harrison Development), which would build a 358-unit residential and mixed-use building along Georgia Avenue, with a specialized grocery store, and a nine-story office headquarters for PPC; and (3) PN Hoffman / Stonebridge Associates, which would build residential and retail on this site, and a new PPC headquarters at a different lot already owned by the team. The MC-MNCPPC is expected to make a decision on a winning team in early 2007, with redevelopment of the site completed by 2010.