Southwest Waterfront Construction to Begin Soon
Southwest Waterfront construction will begin soon since the Phase 1 Planned Unit Development (PUD) of the Wharf project was unanimously approved by the District’s Zoning Commission.
The approval includes 1.5 million square feet of residential, hotel, office and retail space, as well as three piers, various open spaces, thoroughfares, and a waterfront park spanning three acres. These areas of development are located in Parcels 2, 3, 4, and 11. Parcel 2 will house a Combined Heating and Power (CHP) facility in addition to residential and retail space, as well as a cultural and entertainment venue. Parcel 3a will incorporate a commercial office building with ground floor retail. Parcel 3b will also have ground floor retail with the InterContinental Hotel above. Parcel 11 will contain St. Augustine’s Church and a residential building. This phase of development will also include transit improvements like underground parking, surface parking, a bike lane on Maine Avenue, and completion of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. In addition, outdoor retail pavilions will be built for new businesses.
The developer is also interested in sustainable development, and has designed the Wharf to meet LEED for Neighborhood Development Gold certification requirements. This includes incorporating innovative stormwater management designs like Low Impact Development (LID) zone plantings and a stormwater reuse cistern underneath the Wharf that will be used to cool the CHP. These measures aim to reduce stormwater runoff that enters the Washington Channel, which will in turn protect the Potomac River.
Managing Director of Investments of Madison Marquette, David Brainerd says, “The Wharf will become a compelling waterfront neighborhood, celebrating the District’s reconnection to the water while recalling the working waterfront’s rich maritime history and commercial activity.” According to the developers, this redevelopment project will cost $2 billion, and is one of the most high profile redevelopment projects in the country. After planning for six years, developers are excited to break ground this year on the Southwest Waterfront construction.
