New Name, New Town Center for Rhode Island Metro

As first reported in dcmud back in March when it won zoning approval, big plans are in the works for the area immediately surrounding the Rhode Island Metro station in Northeast DC, with the then-named Brentwood Town Center by developer Rhode Island Avenue Metro, LLC (the combination of Mid-City Urban LLC and A&R Development) looking to emulate the successful Bethesda Row and Shirlington mini-village concept with a “main street” and town-house style buildings. But while the plans remain, the name has now changed. The $96 million Rhode Island Station project, as it is now known, will contain a total of 370,000 sf and will include 274 rental apartments and 70,000 sf retail space that will spread along Rhode Island Avenue NE and surround the entrance to the metro station. The complex will feature a number of small buildings as opposed to two or three larger structures, allowing for color and architectural diversity. In addition, the town center will include two parking garages with over 400 parking spaces for retail and residential uses as well as parking for metro customers. The developers expect to have letters of intent from national businesses for 50 percent of the retail space by the end of this summer. The land for this project is owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, but is being rented to the developer under a 60-year ground lease. The project is set to break ground in early 2008.

"Contested" 5220 Wisconsin Project Wins Zoning Approval

Last week, the DC Zoning Commission granted its initial approval to DC-based developer Akridge’s proposed mixed-use development for 5220 Wisconsin Avenue NW, over objections by the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission regarding the project. Akridge hopes to build its $30 million Friendship Heights condominium complex just south of the metro station between Harrison and Jenifer Streets NW, now home to a flower store and a used-car lot and auto body shop. The planned building would house up to 70 condo units (seven percent reserved for affordable housing), and offer 13,200 square feet of street-level retail, plus two levels of underground parking.

In unanimously approving this project, the Zoning Commission reject opponents’ claims that the 79-foot building would tower over the neighborhood, and instead saw it as a natural continuation of the larger-scale development just to the north. A final vote on this project has yet to be scheduled.

Condo units at 5220 Wisconsin (one and two bedroom) are expected to be between 1,100-1,300 sf, with an average price of $800,000. The structure would include a five-story traditional-style brick section facing Wisconsin Avenue to help mesh it in with the existing streetscape, with an additional two stories of glass set back from the street. The southern part of the structure will taper down to three stories on the southwestern side. There will also be an open courtyard at the center of the building, which is planned to be LEED Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), with "green" features such as a roof that stores and filters storm water and the recycling and reuse of 50% of all construction materials waste. In addition to this building, Akridge plans to upgrade the existing yet foreboding PEPCO substation to the south of this site by restoring its façade, fixing the sidewalks around it, and adding windows for artwork displays. The developer hopes to start construction on this project later this year.

Howard Town Center to Move Forward Slowly, but Surely

Redeveloping almost an entire city block at Georgia and V streets, Dallas-based High Street Residential, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company, is planning Howard Town Center, a mixed-use project that will include 70,000 s.f. first-floor retail that may include a Fresh Grocer, 322 market-rate apartments, and a parking garage that will hold approximately 500 spaces at its completion. Designed by Michael Marshall and Gensler and co-developed by Michele Hagans, the $75 million project was announced by developers in April 2003, but has been on hold ever since.

According to Ed Morgan, a Principal at Trammell Crow, developers have been awaiting a final land swap of the city’s Bond Bread Building for the university’s land at Sherman and Florida Avenues. The end may, however, be in sight. Morgan said applications for permits are expected to be submitted in the spring of next year.

While Morgan did not comment on the lawsuit, the Washington Business Journal’s coverage of the suit reported that People’s Involvement Corp., a community development company filed a lawsuit against the city stating that the Bond Bread Building had been promised to the company in the 70’s. That same building was a key component of the aforementioned land swap. A D.C. Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the city in September of 2005, PIC responded with an appeal. In December 2006, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham introduced legislation to finally begin the construction of the Howard Town Center in 2007.

If permits are obtained in a timely matter, Morgan said the project could be completed as early as 2010.

Pearson Square in Falls Church To Go Rental

Continuing a familiar trend, last week Atlantic Realty, the developer of the mixed-use Pearson Square condominium project currently under construction in Falls Church on the former 4.6-acre site of a duckpin bowling alley at 410 S. Maple Street between Route 7 and South Washington Street, approached the Falls Church City Council and requested permission to convert all of the building’s 230 residential units from condos to rental apartments. If Atlantic wins approval for this conversion to rentals, the company will then sell the units to Carr Homes, which in turn has a deal to convey them to the Trans-Western Company. The Falls Church City Council is expected to officially vote on this request at an upcoming meeting. This move by Atlantic is not expected to impact its deal with the city on the massive City Center redevelopment plan.

Portico a Go?

When we last left off on our saga of the Portico condominium in Silver Spring at 1203 Fidler Lane (next to Cubano’s and its tasty offerings, and just a quick walk to the Metro), it appeared the project was moribund, if not outright dead. The Patriot Group’s projected 12-story, 158-unit condominium with 89 parking spaces (original rendering pictured) was initially delayed in 2005 when the neighboring Cameron Hills townhouse development complained about the insufficient parking and density for the project, and soon after the Patriot Group abandoned the project, selling it to Centex Homes, which has been mum on its plans for the project since that time. However, there now appears to be serious activity on the site, with a massive shovel arriving on the lot last week, and excavation now in full swing this week, indicating that Centex (if not another group or even Patriot Group itself) might in fact be moving forward with this project, though whether in its original configuration or a new direction is unknown at this time. We are poking around to uncover more details, and will be sure to update this post as soon as we learn new information.
Update: It's indeed Patriot Group that has retained this project and is moving forward with developing Portico.

West End Condos Inch Forward

TRS Inc. received approval this week from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) , one of several approvals needed to develop its mixed-use project as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 1227-1231 25th Street NW in DC's pricey West End. The lot, just north of M Street across from Rock Creek Park, is currently occupied by three office buildings that will undergo a renovation and conversion over the next year, modifying one of the office buildings (at 1227) and turning the other two structures into condominiums and adding four stories to each, permitting up to 295 residential units, including up to 8,000 s.f. as "affordable" housing. The site currently houses the Bureau of National Affairs Office, which will relocate to Crystal City.

The NCPC approval was needed because the project will rise to 110 feet, potentially obstructing adjacent federal land. The DC Zoning Commission heard arguments regarding the project in March but has not yet ruled on the matter.

Old New York Avenue Hecht’s Building To Become New Mixed-Use Development?

Readers of dcmud know of our particular fascination with all the new development slated for what we call The Devil’s Bowling Alley – that stretch of New York Avenue NE starting from N. Capitol Street going to the Maryland border long known for its auto lots, warehouses, and houses of "entertainment" of mixed repute. But the march of redevelopment continues its move eastward, first with MRP Realty’s mixed-use Washington Gateway project at the intersection of New York and Florida Avenues NE, and Abdo’s massive $1.1 billion Arbor Place complex planned for where New York Avenue, Bladensburg Road, and Montana Avenue NE meet. And now, it looks like the old Hecht’s distribution warehouse, located between these two projects on 16 acres at 1401 New York Avenue NE, will be the next to go under the knife. Pennsylvania-based Patriot Equities is now under contract to purchase the750,000-sf warehouse from Macy’s, and the company plans to develop a mixed-use complex on the site, with retail, office space, and residential units. As the property is currently zoned for industrial use, Patriot will need to have the zoning changed, as well as deal with the building’s landmark status. We will be sure to update you as plans are further developed and released.

Previously: Exclusive: Washington Gateway Project Images, Details
Previously: DC Zoning Approves Abdo’s Newly Named "Arbor Place" New York Avenue Project

JPI Announces New Residential Project for Ballpark Area

Just when you thought every available scrap of land had already been claimed around the new Nationals Ballpark area in Southeast DC, they find a new patch on which to plan another project. According to a press release just issued by developer JPI, the company is planning to build a fourth residential tower in the Ballpark zone (joining the 674-unit 70 and 100 I Street project buildings, and the 237-unit 909 New Jersey Avenue complex (pictured), which just broke ground this week). The new development – 23 Eye Street SE (on the south side of I Street, between South Capitol Street and Half Street SE) – will be a $150 million project and feature 421 residential units, plus up to 35,000 sf of retail space. Construction is expected to start in 2008. These new projects fall within what JPI is now referring to as the "Capitol Yards" neighborhood, north of the Ballpark and south of the US Capitol, below the Southwest-Southeast Freeway. 70 and 100 I Street are scheduled to be finished at the end of 2008, with 909 New Jersey Avenue set to deliver in mid-2009.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not: Silver Spring’s 1050 Ripley Street Project Gets Go-Ahead

Last week, the Montgomery County Planning Board gave its approval to 1050 Ripley Street, a new mixed-use Silver Spring project planned by Bethesda-based developer Washington Property Company for the warehouse-heavy 1.16-acre plot of land south of Ripley Street (and the Silver Spring Metro), east of the CSX/Metro rail lines (and future Metropolitan Branch Trial) and west of Colonial Lane. The 1050 Ripley Street project will be a 17-story building containing 305 rental apartments (46 will be moderately priced dwelling units, or MPDUs), plus over 3,000 sf of ground-floor retail. There will also be 328 underground parking spaces. Architect will be the Weihe Design Group (WDG Architecture). In addition, the developer has proposed building a new road connecting Ripley Street and Bonifant Street to the north, and a plaza/rest area alongside the planned Metropolitan Branch Trial. There will also be room allotted alongside the track/path for the planned Purple Line light rail system. The 1050 Ripley Street project might be eventual neighbors with Kettler's Midtown Silver Spring hi-rise residential project, slated for the 70,000-sf parcel of land on the north side of Ripley Street between Georgia Avenue and the railroad tracks, which (if built) will feature 317 residential units (42 MPDUs), 6,000 sf of ground floor retail/office, 480 parking spaces, and a 19th-floor swimming pool deck.

Our Feature Presentation: More Development!

Given the twists and turns of the real estate market, we often feel like cooking up some popcorn, sitting back, and watching the show. But this is taking things literally. Out in Fairfax County, the Merrifield Multiplex Cinema, located where Lee Highway meets up with Gallows Road, might soon be demolished and replaced with a massive 27-acre "town center" complex containing 800 residential units, 600,000 sf of retail (plus a rebuilt theater), and possibly hotel and office space, if South Carolina-based developer Edens & Avant and Bethesda-based Clark Realty have their way. Initial plans for this project were honored last year by the Washington Smart Growth Alliance, which praised the town center concept, along with plans to include three new urban parks throughout the site. There will also be a focus on mass transportation, with free shuttle service and pedestrian/bicycle accessibility to the nearby Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station. To date, the development team has spent over $100 million just acquiring land and planning for the project, and expects to have final site-plan approval before the county’s Board of Supervisors in October 2007. If approved, ground could be broken by Summer 2008. Together with Trammel Crow Residential’s plan to build a 720-unit apartment building with retail down Gallows Road on a 15-acre lot at the Metro station, Merrifield might soon be known for its bustling activity rather than rundown warehouses.

Silver Spring's 1200 East-West Highway Project Starts Work

For those living in Silver Spring in the Silverton or Mica, I would suggest investing in earplugs for the next year. In late May, dcmud reported that preparation work was being started on 1200 Blair Mill (the small 0.77-acre triangular lot where Blair Mill, Newell Street, and East-West Highway meet ), a $37 million, 99-118 unit condominium project by MR Associates, LLC (Perseus Realty, LLC). And now, as confirmed by our daily walk past this corner on the way for coffee, demolition work has kicked into gear on the site of 1200 East-West Highway (at the southwest corner of East-West and Blair Mill), with the existing auto repair shop on the property now meeting the wrecking crane. Originally a twinkle in the eye of Centex Cityhomes, 1200 East-West was shelved by that company last October. However, the project and plans were bought by Home Properties, with the only change now being apartments replacing the planned condos. When completed in 2009, 1200 East-West will contain a 14-story, mixed-use building, including 247 rental units (ranging in size from 715 to 1365 sf) and approximately 10,600 sf of retail space on the first floor, with over 200 below-ground parking spaces. These two projects, plus JBG and Turner Construction’s imposing 460-unit Silver Spring Gateway project just across East-West Highway, will ensure another year of orange cones, cranes, and dust for this tiny corner of town.

Previously: Signs of Life at Silver Spring’s 1200 Blair Mill Project?

Arlington Strip Mall to Receive Mixed-Use Makeover

In an effort to revitalize the “neglected” neighborhood at the intersection of Pershing Drive and Arlington Boulevard in Arlington, Abbey Road Property Group is planning a mixed-use project that will include 35,000 s.f. of retail space and 188 residential units. 7 Blocks away from the Clarendon Metro, the 287-acre site at 2201 North Pershing Drive is currently home to two older strip malls; Abbey Road has requested that the area be rezoned to allow for the residential portion of the development.

At its completion, the project will consist of two buildings. The first will have five stories, the second, four, each with retail below and residential space above. The retail portion will have at-grade structured parking behind the buildings while residential parking will consist of one below-grade level of parking per building.

Matt Birenbaum, Principal at Abbey Road said the development would be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, one of the first in Arlington and the metro area. The development has also been recognized by the Washington Smart Growth Alliance for its reuse of an old shopping center. According to Birenbaum, the retail space will target a small format grocer for the corner of the intersection and restaurants and smaller shops for the remainder of the space.

“I think that this (the project) represents an opportunity to redevelop an older strip center and turn what was an automobile-oriented, 1950’s setting into a more pedestrian development pattern. It will be mixed-income, mixed-use. We are really reworking the streetscape, bringing the building up to the street. It could be a model for the redevelopment of old strip centers into more pedestrian-oriented sites,” he said.

The development’s zoning hearing is scheduled for the fall. Developers hope to start construction in the middle of 2008 with occupancy beginning in late 2009 or early 2010.

The Full Monty – More New Residential Units Coming to Bethesda

In the next week, the Montgomery County Planning Board is expected to approve the application submitted by Monty LLC for The Monty, a 210,000-sf, mixed-use development to be located in (surprise) the Woodmont Triangle area of Bethesda, specifically the rectangle of land between Fairmont and St. Elmo Avenues (4915-4917 Fairmont and 4914-4918 St. Elmo, now home to one- and two-story storefronts) to the northeast of Old Georgetown Road and southwest of Norfolk Avenue. The planned 17-story development will contain a maximum of 133 residential units (20 of which will be moderately priced dwelling units), and up to 7,700 sf of ground-floor retail, with 197 underground parking spots. About 5,500 sf will be public space, including a fountain, public art, benches, and a mid-street passageway between the two avenues. Architect for this project is SK&I. The Monty will be directly across Fairmont Avenue from the recently approved 118-unit 4900 Fairmont project, and is yet another addition to the rapidly developing residential market in greater Bethesda.

Previously: More Bethesda Development! 4900 Fairmont Avenue Project Up For Approval
Previously: Boomtown Bethesda – Yet More Development

Foggy Bottom’s Square 54 Project Receives Final Approval

Last week, the DC Zoning Commission unanimously approved the revised Planned Unit Development (PUD) application submitted by George Washington University and developers Boston Properties and Kettler to redevelop the 2.6-acre, former GW Hospital site bounded by 22nd and 23rd Streets, and Pennsylvania Avenue and I Street NW (the southeast corner of Washington Circle), into Square 54, a mixed-use "town center" with office, residential, and retail space. The Commission had asked GWU in March to revise the height and density of the proposed buildings, so the school took 18,000 sf off the office portion and 15,000 sf from the residential. In April, the National Capital Planning Commission recommended that the Commission approve the new proposal. The $250 million Square 54 project will feature approximately 336 "luxury" residential units (non-university housing), with over 80,000 sf of retail space (including a 27,000-sf supermarket and outdoor café space) and 440,000 sf of office space overlooking Washington Circle. There will also be over 1,000 underground parking spaces. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, LLP and Sasaki & Associates, the project will also include an open space courtyard with pedestrian walkway, and landscaped plaza for outside dining that will have gates at I and 23rd Streets. Completion is expected in 2011.

Previously: GWU Squaring Away Old Hospital Site

Washington D.C. retail and real estate development news

And Now For Something Completely Different ... Joule Now Extended-Stay Housing

Back in February, the Ed Peete Company announced that it was converting its nine-story, 87-unit Joule Condominium project at 3409 N. Wilson Boulevard (located between Clarendon and Ballston) into apartment rentals, despite the fact that 90 percent of the units had been sold and the project was just about finished (these contracts were cancelled). But now, in an interesting twist, it now appears this stylish building will become an extended-stay corporate housing location operated by PA-based Korman Communities Inc., which bought the property from Peete for $43 million and will manage it under its AKA subsidiary. One-bedroom units at the AKA-Arlington are leasing for $135 per day (two bedrooms for up to $215/day), with a minimum 30-day stay requirement – somewhat expensive, but given the high-end condo amenities featured in these units (including washer and dryer units), possibly worthwhile. As the market continues its upward climb again, we’ll watch to see the future fate of this and other projects.

YMCA, Perseus Ready to Move Forward on 1325 W Street Mixed-Use Project

After months of negotiation, it appears that the nonprofit YMCA of Metropolitan Washington DC is partnering with DC-based developer Perseus Realty LLC to redevelop the existing YMCA Anthony Bowen center at 1325 W Street NW in Shaw (the oldest YMCA in DC, dating back to the 1850s) into a $100 million mixed use complex that will include a new, larger YMCA facility (45,000 sf), over 200 apartments, and 12,000 sf of retail. The Washington Business Journal reports that under the arrangement, Perseus will build and finance the YMCA’s new facility, and in exchange receive the land for the apartment building and retail, which it will own and control. The YMCA will own and run the new facility. In preparation for this development, Perseus has already purchased five buildings along this block fronting 14th Street between W Street and Florida Avenue – these structures will be preserved for the retail portion of the project. The architects for this project are the DC office of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum and Dorsky Hodgson & Partners. If all permits and approvals are received, Perseus hopes to break ground in late 2008, with completion expected toward the end of 2010.

Bon Voyage to Vaughn Place Condo Sales

After two years of marketing and sales, the Carlyle Group of DC and Bethesda-based Ross Development have ended sales for Vaughan Place condominiums at McLean Gardens on Wisconsin Ave and 38th Street, NW, and have turned the project back into rental apartments. The 574 units included three living options – “The Tower” which offer 1 and 2 bedroom units, townhouses, and terrace homes that included studios and 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom units. Less than half of the units were reported sold as condos before the decision to revert the remaining units to leases. Sales by McWilliams Ballard began in the winter of 2005 and were halted in April of this year. Rents are now starting from $1,750/month.

Several condo projects in DC have gone rental in the past months in and around the DC area. While institutional lenders have continued to impose pre-construction sale requirements on residential projects, often demanding the same sales quotas considered reasonable only two years ago, public perceptions about the market have meant increasingly fewer buyers are willing to sign contracts up to two years before a project’s completion. The gap in between lenders' requirements and actual sales volume has been the catalyst for many of the post-sale conversion to apartments recently, often against the judgment of the development team.

Past projects have also converted to leased apartments for developers’ fear of buyers walking away from their deposits at the last minute, particularly in projects that had higher levels of investors. Representatives for Vaughan Place would not comment on the decision.

Luzon Loses Innards, Façade All That Remains

Driving down Pennsylvania Avenue NW into Georgetown, if you glance to the right at 24th Street you will see the familiar peeling yellow façade of the historic Luzon Apartment Building propped up with steel scaffolding … and nothing else. Late last year, Intrepid Real Estate LLC broke ground on the new Luzon, which will incorporate the existing facade at 2501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW into a new luxury condominium, plus new construction on the next-door lots. The Wrecking Corporation of America is presently working on the excavation necessary for the project (which involves both prepping the pad for this building, as well as shoring up the surrounding old townhouses), and expects to have this work completed by July. Plans call for 16 large units (2600 to 4000 square feet each) in the eight-story building (pictured), with elevators that will open directly into the condos. Pricing is expected to range from $1.8 million to $4.5 million, with the Milan-built kitchen units costing $100,000 per unit alone. The Luzon - originally built in the 1890s - was a 20,000-sf brick structure with wood framing, much of which was damaged by water and neglect over the past two decades while vacant. It was designated a historic building in 1990, which ensured its façade would be preserved during this renovation. In addition, the original bell tower at the top will be restored. The full project, which is directly across the street from the Columbia Residences and new Trader Joe’s grocery store, is expected to be completed by late 2008.

Petworth’s 4136 Georgia Avenue Condo Gets Zoning Approval

Last week, the DC Zoning Commission granted approval to Petworth Holdings LLC (Formant Development) for its proposed seven-story, 57-unit mixed-use condominium to replace the gas station now located at 4136 Georgia Avenue (at the intersection of Kansas Avenue and Upshur Street) in Petworth, just four blocks from the Georgia Ave. Metro station. There is expected to be 5,000-sf of ground-floor retail, and the roof will be environmentally "green" in keeping with the current development trend. Four of the condo units will be priced below market, with Petworth residents given first priority. There will also be 37 below-ground parking spaces. Because the 75-foot building would exceed the 50-foot height limit of the site, zoning approval was necessary. In return for the zoning exception, the developer will donate $125,000 to the Petworth Recreation Center and Clark Elementary School. SGA Architects has been selected to design the building, with current plans including a brick structure with warehouse-style bay windows from floor to ceiling (pictured). Formant does not expect to break ground for another two years, with sales following.

NCRC Narrows Potential McMillan Site Developers to Three, Awaits Its Future

The National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) has whittled its list of potential development teams that responded to its solicitation for development of Phase I of the 25-acre McMillan Reservoir sand filtration site along N. Capitol Street down to three finalists: Republic Land Development, EYA, and Federal Development. Original plans call for a massive mixed-use development, including 1200 residential units, with affordable housing, 100,000 sf of retail, a community center, and a "cultural center," though it is unclear what the final product will eventually be. Phase I work will include site assessment, land use planning, and land development activities designed to deliver ready-to-build bases for a mixed-use project. The NCRC is moving forward with its plans despite moves by the DC Council to eliminate both it and the Anacostia Waterfront Corp. (AWC) and transfer their projects to either the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development or a new agency called the DC Economic Development Authority. A final decision is expected from the DC Council on this move in June.