14 New Residences: Real Estate Development Updates
By • July 12, 2023 One Comment 2928
Georgetown is abuzz with real estate projects, mostly residential, and just about everyone is taking notice.
A longtime resident and property owner Karen Snyder of Snyder Properties had this to say about the latest construction activity: “Currently, our vibrant shops and restaurants are experiencing a remarkable rebound, with bustling streets and lively streateries that exude a delightful European ambiance for outdoor dining. The upcoming introduction of new residential units in Georgetown will undoubtedly contribute to this thriving economic growth, generating heightened demand for local businesses and services. As a result, we may witness the emergence of additional exciting ventures in the area.
“One particular development that has me eagerly anticipating the future is the collaboration between award-winning restaurateur Stephan Starr and chef Nancy Silverton. Together, they’re preparing to launch an exhilarating new Italian restaurant and market in the former Dean & Deluca space later this year. This venture promises to bring a fresh and invigorating dining experience to the neighborhood, attracting residents and visitors alike.”
Here’s an overview of the projects currently underway around town. Keep an eye on The Georgetowner this year as these developments continue to evolve.
2715 M St. NW
Plans to transform this office and retail building into 28 new apartments that will add to eight already existing residential units are in the works. Units are said to be primarily one-bedrooms.
2715 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
EastBanc is developing this six-story building, which will include seven apartment units, one level of below-grade for storage and a commercial kitchen. The new building is designed by Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, a Pritzker Prize-winner.
Georgetown West Heating Plant, 1051-55 29th St. NW
A 10-story condo with about 70 units is planned for the site of the former West Heating Plant. Some of the building will be preserved, including the western facade entrance. The residences will be managed by The Four Seasons, which lies directly north of the plant. The project will include a one-acre public park and bridge connecting Rock Creek Park with the Georgetown waterfront.
2900 M St. NW
Part of a city block will be reimagined with plans for nearly 10,000 square feet of renovated and newly built space with retail fronts on M Street and apartments rising in the back of the complex.
Former Latham Hotel, 3000 M St. NW
Among the design features of this development are 97 hotel rooms, 9,600 feet of retail along M Street NW, a restaurant and more. Planners are expected to break ground the fall of this year, after tearing down the remaining structure.
3601 M St. NW
The Key Bridge Exxon site on the western edge of Georgetown has gone through many development plans over the last decade (and then some!) Over the years, a variety of ideas for the property have been entertained, including condos, a gondola station, EV charging station and graduate student housing. As of October 2022, the plan was still for student housing. With the many changes over the years, we’re sure there’s more to come involving this site.
Georgetown Park Condos
Built in 1981, Georgetown Park condominiums — at 1080 Wisconsin Ave. NW — comprise five stories with 154 units. Owner Jamestown plans to add 166 residential units from the shopping complex’s space.
Wisconsin & Prospect
The buildings at 1234-1238 Wisconsin Ave. NW offer retail — Wolford, Ever/Body, Blank Street Coffee and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — but also have 15,000 square- feet of office space and five residential units above the ground-floor retail. Developer EastBanc plans to relocate its office to the prominent corner. The 30,000-square-foot Georgetown landmark property previously boasted a Zara store and, before that, Billy Martin’s Carriage House and Tramps Discotheque.
Weaver’s Row, 3220 Prospect St. NW
Across from Cafe Milano and Peacock Cafe, the project at 3220 Prospect St. NW calls for a five-story building with some setbacks, containing 115 units, along with a parking garage. Owned by the Weaver family, which runs its hardware business nearby, the property is being developed by Landmark Construction Development. The architect is Eric Colbert & Associates.
1805 Wisconsin Ave.
At the corner of S Street, a parking lot and paint store will yield to a four-story building with 43,000 square feet of residential units and 8,500 square feet of ground floor retail, according to Fortis Companies. Beyer Blinder Belle is the architect.
CitizenM on Water Street
The Georgetown waterfront property at 3401-3403 K (Water) St. NW, owned by CitizenM Hotels, earned approval from the Old Georgetown Board to begin work on the 100-year-old waterfront property. The OGB approved expansion and conversion of the building into a 230-room hotel.
The Elliott on Prospect
Georgetown’s newest and completed luxury building is located at 3255 Prospect St. NW. The five residences are spacious and include a penthouse roof garden and terrace. The Elliott — named after local developer Bob Elliott (1941-2021) — boasts an elevator that can whisk residents straight into their homes from the garage.
The Colonial Georgetown: 1305, 1311, 1315 30th St. NW
Scheduled for fall, 18 condominium homes with deeded parking in the back and private terraces will transform a historic building erected in 1820. Details at Guggenheim Savage Real Estate, HRL Partners and Washington Fine Properties.
Conversions Planned on Thomas Jefferson St.; Neighbors Concerned
A 300-unit conversion has been planned for two Georgetown office buildings, located on the southern end of Georgetown, near the waterfront. An affiliate of Potomac Investment Trust has plans to convert a portion located at 1000 and 1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW. Architect Shalom Baranes Associates, established in 1981, will be running the design for the two buildings’ conversions.
The conversions at 1000 Thomas Jefferson St. NW would include a two-level addition as well as a penthouse with residential units on upper floors and commercial use on the lower levels and add between 95 and 115 residential units. The 140 parking spaces and loading areas are to remain in use.
Plans also call for 1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW to be turned into a mostly residential building with three additional levels and a penthouse. The first count for units in the building is from 170 to 220.
This project is very early in development and is stirring controversy due to massing issues, neighbors contend.
An excellent, comprehensive look at the future of Georgetown Commercial Real Estate! Great Work!