Centex Keeps Busy in Silver Spring with Office Construction

While Centex may have recently pulled back from residential construction in Silver Spring when it put its Cityhomes project at 1200 East-West Highway on hold, that doesn’t seem to have affected the company’s drive for office development in town. Centex has started construction on an $87 million office complex at the FDA’s new campus in north Silver Spring (White Oak) at 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, where the Federal agency is consolidating all its suburban sites (Centex has already worked on three other pieces of the complex). This new six-story, 393,000-sf building - scheduled for completion in early 2009 – will include office space, conference rooms, and a 150-person conference center. The building is being designed by KlingStubbins in partnership with RTKL.

Sheridan Garage Condo Sales to Start this Spring

After much anticipation and years of planning, condo units in Georgetown’s historic Sheridan Garage project are expected to be offered for sale starting this Spring. Sheridan Garage, located at 2516 Q Street NW, will contain 34 high-end residential units, with the original building flanked by two new wings. The original garage, built in 1922, is being restored to its original industrial appearance, but this being Georgetown, exposed ducts are out and instead you’ll see crown molding. The original building will be joined by a glass walkway to a new 3-story building on the East and a third building made to look like two historic townhouses on the West. There will also be 34 underground parking spaces. Units are expected to average 1,100 sf, and will range from $400,000 to $1.6 million. Construction started this Fall, with completion slated for the end of 2007. Sheridan garage is being developed by Keener-Squire/ KS East Place Development, with architecture design by Shalom Baranes and Eric Colbert.

Washington Gateway Project Ready to Get Going

In late December, the DC Zoning Commission approved MRP Realty’s plan for its Washington Gateway project, a $350 million development to be located in the NoMa section of Washington, just north of the New York Avenue metro station along New York and Florida Avenues NE. The 1 million-sf, mixed-use project (pictured) is expected to feature two office towers, plus a T-shaped structure, with one side containing a 150-room hotel and the other side a 250-unit residential tower (with 8% reserved for affordable housing). MRP (created in 2005 by former Trammel Crow executives) will also reconfigure the walking areas along New York and Florida Avenues to improve pedestrian access and safety, and also include new plantings and shops along these routes. The architect for the office towers will be Gensler, with SK&I handing the residential and hotel tower. Land and streetscaping will be designed by Occulus. MRP expects to break ground in late 2007, with completion scheduled for early 2010.

Mount Vernon Church Ready to Add Office and Retail Space to Property

Since 1917, the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, at the northwest corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 9th Street NW, has served those in search of spiritual guidance. Starting in 2009, though, this corner will also welcome office workers and shoppers, as United Methodist and developer CarrAmerica (with Clark Construction handling the actual construction) are planning to demolish two of the property’s education buildings and redevelop some of its underutilized land to make way for a new $130 million, 250,000-sf office building project that will also contain 7,000 sf of retail and 220 underground parking spaces. United Methodist will retain 35,000 sf of this new 12-story building for its ministerial work and use, in partnership with the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Asbury United Methodist Church. Meanwhile, United Methodist will dedicate $5 million of its proceeds from this sale to finance the preservation and renovation of the church’s original 1917 sanctuary. In addition, sale profits will be used to create an endowment to sustain and support the church for years to come. United Methodist’s project, which is expected to break ground in the Fall of 2007, is one innovative example of how to adapt to a changing real estate landscape and prepare for the future influx of new residents and workers to the Mount Vernon area.

Arlington’s North Tract Project Back on Track

After months of appearing to be called off, Arlington officials have now announced that the county has reached a preliminary deal with Washington-based Monument Realty to swap and obtain the land necessary for it to move forward with its North Tract project, a world-class athletic and aquatic facility along the Potomac River south of the 14th Street Bridge and north of Crystal City. Under this agreement, Arlington County would receive from Monument the final seven (of the total 30) acres needed for its project. In return, Monument will gain a 5-acres site at the south end near Crystal City. Originally, the county was to also receive $25 million as part of the swap, but this arrangement was terminated by Monument last September. The recently announced new deal leaves out the monetary payment from Monument, which plans to build a 685,000-sf, mixed-use residential and office complex on its new site. As for the North Tract project, Arlington County expects to begin the first phase of the complex in late 2008.

New Condo Tower Planned for Post Office Site in Bethesda

Years ago, it was old churches and schools that developers eyed, updated and rebuilt into condos. These days, it’s U.S. Post Offices. Following on the heels of its Phoenix (pictured) redevelopment of a historic Post Office on Washington Blvd in Arlington VA into a 11-story, 194-unit condo building near the Clarendon Metro, the Keating Development Group appears to now be planning a similar project for the Post Office located at 7001 Arlington Road in Bethesda, just north of Bradley Blvd and south of Bethesda Row. Keating has submitted an application with the Montgomery County Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings to rezone this property to allow for the construction of a 111-unit condo building above the Post Office. As with the Phoenix, this project is expected to rebuild and preserve the exiting Post Office. Together with the residential expansion of Bethesda Row just up the block, this portion of Arlington Road might soon be providing plenty of new traffic for the all the nearby shops and restaurants.

Woodmont View Project in Bethesda Moves Forward

In late December, the Montgomery County Planning Board, backing the Alternative Review Committee’s recommendation, approved the Development Plan Amendment submitted by Battery Lane LLC for its Woodmont View project, allowing the developer to proceed with its plans to build an eight-story, mixed use project with residential units, including Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs), and ground floor retail at the northwest corner of Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane, a block or so east of the main drag of restaurants and shops in Bethesda. The amendment will permit Battery Lane to add 14 feet of height to the building to allow it to meet the MPDU requirement without impacting finances. When done, Woodmont View will consist of 68 condo units (with eight being MPDUs), plus one single family home on the northern end of the parcel (the existing office building on the property will be destroyed). The public hearing on this amendment is set for January 21, 2007.

Happy New Year – Now Ignore that Resolution to Get in Shape

Did you make that annual resolution to get in shape, but know full well it’s not going to happen? Never fear – DC’s developers are here to help make you fell less guilty about it. Developers hoping to pursue new high-rise residential projects in the city are looking to the DC Zoning Commission to give them an exemption from having to include mandatory fitness facilities in their buildings. The zoning amendment, which is expected to win Zoning Commission approval this year, would free developers from the current requirement of making five to 20 percent of the residential space into recreation area (with at least half being outdoors) when building in commercially zoned areas. If approved, this amendment would allow developers to add more residential units in their buildings ... and, one would hope (since there would be one less amenity), to lower condo fees per unit.

New Condo to be Alexandria's First Green Building

Condo developers nationally have been on the leading edge of the green movement, and it now appears that Alexandria’s first LEED-certified building will be an Old Town condominium. Alexandria Developer William Cromley is renovating a century-old warehouse at 1210 Queen St. into an 8-unit, "loft" style condominium called Cromley Lofts, featuring a green roof and sustainable, low-emission materials. LEED certification requires a rigorous third-party designation process and contemplates such factors as indoor environment, sustainable materials, access to public transportation, and energy efficiency. Cromley expects that the project, which has not yet been LEED-approved by the U.S. Green Building Council, will receive "certification," the lowest of the four possible rankings available, making this the first Alexandria project to receive such classification when it completes in the Spring, and estimates that the enhanced design will reduce utilities by about 30%. Alexandria's T.C. Williams High School, which has also applied for certification, will not complete until the Fall.

Each of the condos will offer about 1250 square feet of space in what Cromley describes as "true lofts," a departure from much of modern construction despite the prevalence of the term "loft" in marketing. Set in a historic building that was functional until recently as office space and artist studios, the lofts will exhibit "sleeping niches" rather than formal bedrooms, and bamboo cabinets as a sustainable alternative to traditional wood. Prices are expected to range from $500,000 to $700,000 when sales commence this Spring, competing with the Prescott and Monarch, much larger condo projects now underway in the quickly developing neighborhood. Sales and marketing by DCRE.

Washington DC real estate news

Architect Selected for Metro Plaza Project in Wheaton

The $150 million Metro Plaza complex, a mixed-use project planned to be built on 3 acres at the southwest corner of Georgia Avenue and Reedie Drive next to the Wheaton metro station, now has its architect. Developers Spaulding and Slye Investments and Bozzuto Development Co. have just hired well-know DC architect company Bonstra Haresign (AOL Headquarters, Q14 condos) for this project, which for now will consist of up to 450,000 sf of office and retail space, though the developers are leaving upon the possibility of including residential units depending on the market. Construction on this complex is expected to begin in 2008, with occupancy hopefully starting by the end of 2009.

Bush Signs DC Tax Credit

President Bush has signed a tax bill into law that includes a $5,000 credit for homebuyers in DC. The federal income tax credit, which expired last year, is retroactive for the entire year and extends until the end of 2007. Purchasers who have not owned a home in the District for the prior year are able to use the credit, provided they do not exceed the income caps which begin to phase out at income levels of $70,000 for single filers and $110,000 for married filers. Buyers can claim up to $5,000 if single or married filing jointly, or $2500 if married filing separately.

Redevelopment Finally Coming to Desolate Stretch of Wisconsin Avenue in Cleveland Park

For years, the uninviting block of old stores along Wisconsin Avenue in Cleveland Park (just below McLean Gardens) starting just above Macomb Street and running past Newark Street to Idaho Avenue, NW, has waited patiently for redevelopment while residents in the neighborhood argued over the proper use for the old, abandoned G.C. Murphy Co. store and Soviet Bloc-inspired Giant grocery on the corner. But it appears change is finally coming after all these years, with Giant’s development team proposing to completely build a new 51,000-sf Giant, plus also construct new commercial and residential space along this stretch of Wisconsin Avenue. Eleven new townhouses are envisioned near Idaho Avenue, and a total of 22,000 sf of retail is proposed between Macomb and Newark Streets, plus another 33,000 sf between Newark Street and Idaho Avenue. The development team also plans 34 residential units as well as offices above the Newark-Idaho retail strip. Construction is not expected to start for two years, with completion taking another two years. This proposal is still in its early stages, and will undergo some pretty strenuous public hearings, so changes are certainly in the works. But for now, the future is starting to brighten up for this dark stretch of street.

What Goes Down Must Come Up

You just can't help but stare - but it's okay. The Rosslyn Best Western (pictured) succumbed to the wrecking ball this week to make way for Turnberry Tower, a luxury highrise condo that is to take its place in Spring 2008. The project, after several fits and starts under other names and other developers, is being developed by Turnberry Ltd. of Florida. The 247-unit condo will be decidedly more upscale from the hotel it replaces, with condominiums beginning in the low $800's (thousands, of course) and topping $6m for its penthouse with more than 5000 s.f. All units will have private terraces; and valet parking and elevator access directly into the unit are some of the options available. BBG-BBGM Architects is designing the building for Turnberry, but the new construction isn't nearly as cool as watching the wrecking ball smash the hotel to bits.

At 26 stories, Turnberry Tower will be one of the tallest buildings in the region, competing in height (and sales) with Waterview by JBG, a new condo going up 2 blocks away that has now topped out at 29 stories. Condo sales for Turnberry began in June 2005.

Bethesda Row Extension Moves Forward

Work is progressing quickly (guess the recent warm spell has been good for gardeners and developers) on the new addition to wildly popular Bethesda Row, the seven-block collection of shops located just off Wisconsin Avenue and south of the Bethesda metro. The new 1.7-acre site extension, which is rising on the former Giant grocery location at the western corner of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road, is being built by Federal Realty. The proposed project will include 43,000 sf of new retail and restaurants, and 460 new parking spaces. In addition, there will be 180 “luxury” rental apartments above the shops, in a building dubbed "Upstairs at Bethesda Row," featuring traditional and "loft"-style 1 and 2-bedroom units. One interesting feature of this extension will be the creation of a pedestrians-only "Festival Street" (ok, that name is trying a bit too hard), running parallel to Arlington Road and connecting Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street, allowing more shops to have a "street-front" presence. Completion of this project is expected in Spring 2008.

DC Council Unanimously Approves $1 Billion "New Town" Plan for Florida Avenue Market

Following up earlier reports, this week the DC Council officially and unanimously approved legislation that would create a public-private partnership between DC and New Town Development LLC to handle and oversee the $1 billion redevelopment of the 24-acre Florida Avenue Market, located to the northwest of Gallaudet University between New York and Florida Avenues NE, just blocks from the New York Avenue metro station. The planned "New Town at Capital City Market" project would put condominiums, retail shops, a hotel, and offices in this location. Up to 40% of the planned 1,700 residential units would be made affordable and available to DC employees, while the remaining 60% will be set aside for DC residents who are first-time buyers. In addition, the developer plans to build a 570,000 sf wholesale distribution space (with hope of luring back displaced vendors who now operate out of the market), plus almost 330,000 sf of retail, restaurant, and merchandising space. Also envisioned is a YMCA building, a health clinic, and library, if DC officials have their way.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks off Construction for New St. Elizabeths Medical Building

On Tuesday, DC and Tompkins Builders officials broke ground on a new $140 million, 438,000-sf medical building on 49 acres at the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus in Southeast Washington. The new two-story facility, which will handle almost 300 patients, will have a 20,000-sf "green" roof to minimize runoff and save energy. Tompkins Builders (a subsidiary of Turner Construction) plans to have the building done by March 2009.

This development follows the early November announcement by DC planning officials of their proposal to also clear way for 2 million sf of office space, retail, and high-end apartments on the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus site, which consists of mostly vacant, poorly maintained 19th century terra cotta buildings next to the Congress Heights metro. 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 sf of residential in the section closest to the metro station. The rest of the development would take place over the following decade.

Bowling for Condos (or Visa Versa) in Falls Church

While plans for the north side of Falls Church’s City Center village project have apparently stalled, the same is not true for the southern part of this project, encompassing 5.3 acres on the south side of the 200 block of W. Broad Street, extending down to the current Bowl America site. On Tuesday at a special City Hall briefing, Falls Church leaders and Atlantic Realty representatives officially unveiled their plans for this long-awaited project, which includes a nine-story office on W. Broad Street, a 10-story, 180-room hotel at the corner of S. Maple and Annandale Road, and a new 55,000 sf Harris Teeter grocery on the Bowl America site. In addition, there will be 500 rental apartment units over the grocery store site, plus a 67-unit senior living condo building, 25,000 sf of new retail, and 1,500 parking spaces. And don’t fear – Bowl America is expected to be relocated to a new site, ensuring funky polyester shirts and cheese fries for generations to come. Atlantic Realty is currently seeking comprehensive zoning changes to accommodate the project, which the company hopes to start building in September 2007, with a completion date of 2011. The project plans are expected to be opened for public comment starting sometime this January.

Iconic Market in Shaw Wins Initial Approval for Development

The O Street Market (pictured), probably the most iconic building in the Shaw neighborhood of DC, has taken a critical step toward restoration with approval by the local ANC (Advisory Neighborhood Commission) this month as part of a massive project covering two city blocks just north of the Convention Center. DC-based Roadside Development, LLC, which purchased the land in 2001 and has spent the intervening time seeking local approval, will develop the blocks between 7th and 9th Streets that now contain a Giant supermarket and the O Street Market, built in 1880 and now just a shell. The historic market will house the new Giant, with over 60,000 s.f. of space, and additional space for retail. Roadside intends to use the remainder of the site to build an undetermined amount of condominiums, townhouses, and apartments, as well as about 800 parking spots, most of which will be underground. Shalom Baranes will serve as the master planning and primary architect for the site.

The site is just two blocks from the Broadcast Center One project by Four Points LLC, which is expected to provide 100,000 s.f. of office space and 185 condos above the Shaw Metro Station, with groundbreaking expected this Spring. Shovels are not expected to turn dirt until 2008. The current Giant will likely close at the end of that year; the new Giant, expected to open in 2009, will be larger than the "urban lifestlye" Safeway going up around the corner at 5th & K as part of the City Vista project. Loading docks will be moved underground, solving the problem of rows of space-hogging loading stations that now take up a full block on 9th Street. Most of the project will rise to 90 feet, though some elements may rise to as much as 110 feet under the current plans. Approval by the ANC was not required but indicates community acceptance of the project and much warmer reception by the city in future hearings.

Massive Arcola Center Project to Break Ground

On the heels of its Comprehensive Plan Amendment being approved by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Buchanan Partners is now ready to break ground on its $1 billion, 20-year plan to transform the sleepy locale of Arcola into Arcola Center, a 400-acre project that, when completed, will contain 2.1 million sf of office space, 1.1 million sf of retail, 80 acres of townhomes and multifamily units, two hotels, and a tourism center. A key component of this project will be the construction of a new plaza-oriented "town center" lined with 145,000 sf of boutiques and restaurants. Buchanan is working with EYA on a master plan for the residential neighborhoods, and EYA and other developers will then construct the homes in a 69-acres site called the Village and another parcel that will be called the Residences at Main Street. Retail leasing will be handled by KLNB, and the search is now on for major stores to be the anchors. The retail component is expected to be ready by the end of 2008.

Major Changes Coming to Baileys Crossroads and Seven Corners Areas of NoVa

Well, I guess it’s a more reasonable plan than the desire we felt last week to level the whole area with asphalt while stuck in traffic.... Long the bane of commuters and those who appreciate smart urban planning, the strip-retail loaded, pedestrian-unfriendly areas in Fairfax County known as Baileys Crossroads (where Columbia Pike and Route 7 meet) and Seven Corners (where Routes 7 and 50, and Wilson Boulevard cross) – totaling 400 acres in all - might soon experience bright makeovers, if the county’s dreams for them come to fruition. Fairfax County and the Baileys Crossroads/Seven Corners Revitalization Corp. are eagerly anticipating a major study from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) that is expected to present a roadmap for economically revitalizing these aging but vital intersections, located less than 15 minutes from DC. Fairfax County is already working to get a jump on things, having rezoned some of this land to permit and encourage new residential, retail, and office projects, and developers aren’t far behind. Local builder Weissberg Corp. has already filed plans to construct a mixed residential, retail, and office project on Columbia Pike, and another developer is hoping to put a 2.2 million sf mixed-use residential complex on Route 7 where the Burlington Plaza now sits. With plans like these, there may soon come a day when people again remember Baileys Crossroads for the ringmaster who once set up shop there, and not the circus of garish retail and roads it had become.