Columbian Quarter
Developer: Redbrick LMD
It is fitting that one of the most extensive developments south of the river is coming to Poplar Point, the spit of land closest to the Capitol Riverfront. The proposed Columbian Quarter is a 2.3M SF mixed-use development taking shape just north of Interstate 295 in Anacostia.
The project, which will reportedly include 1.6M SF of office space, nearly 700 residential units and 52K SF of retail space, is hoping to capitalize on its proximity to the Anacostia Metro station and the swathes of green space along the south side of the river. It was proposed as a possible site for Amazon’s new offices, but was passed over in favor of Arlington’s Crystal City.
Columbian Quarter has been held up by injunctions from individuals and activists representing housing and community groups from Southeast D.C., who argued that the area was not ready for the drastic socioeconomic changes that would follow the project’s construction. However, the project may have won a victory in October: The city’s Office of Planning proposed changes to its land-use map, which included allowing high-density commercial development on Poplar Point.St. Elizabeths East Developers: D.C., Redbrick LMD, Gregg Cardona Partners, Anacostia Economic Development Corp., Flaherty & Collins
St. Elizabeths East Developers: D.C., Redbrick LMD, Gregg Cardona Partners, Anacostia Economic Development Corp., Flaherty & Collins
A coalition of private developers and public agencies are working to overhaul the sprawling campus of St. Elizabeths East, the former hospital in Congress Heights. Bisnow reported that construction began in 2018 on the first phase of the development, which includes renovating seven of the campus’ buildings into mixed-income housing — an effort led by the Anacostia Economic Development Corp. and Flaherty & Collins.
In February, the District selected Redbrick LMD to spearhead the creation of a new town square north of the Congress Heights Metro station, which will reportedly include two residential buildings with a combined 288 units, over half of which would be set aside as affordable, along with a 125-room hotel and 50K SF of retail space, all centered around a public plaza.
The first piece of the St. Elizabeths East puzzle to be laid in place is the Entertainment and Sports Arena, which plays host to home game for the Washington Mystics — which won the WNBA championship this year — and practices for the NBA’s Wizards.