Work has begun on the 66-acre The Parks at Walter Reed mixed-use development in Washington, D.C. The project is being constructed at the site of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center and, when completed, will total over 3.1 million sf of new construction and adaptive reuse.
The site was freed up for the project in 2005 when the U.S. Army vacated the base as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Act and moved to the former National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
Over the next 10 to 15 years, The Parks at Walter Reed will undergo multiple phases of construction resulting in the creation of the following:
- Over 2,100 units of rental and for-sale housing, 431 of which will be designated as affordable;
- 230,000-250,000 sf of grocery-anchored retail;
- 185,000 sf of office space;
- A 200-key hotel and conference center;
- 30,000 sf of arts and cultural uses;
- 116,000 sf of ambulatory medical care provided by Howard University Hospital;
- Two language immersion charter schools (one middle-high school and one elementary school);
- Almost 20 acres of open space, parks, and plazas.
The District of Columbia selected Hines, Urban Atlantic, and Triden Development Group as master planner with Weingarten Realty Trust and Toll Brothers also on the development team as component developers.
Initial infrastructure work and the demolition of an existing 2.6 million-sf hospital will begin in 2017.
Related Stories
| Sep 13, 2010
Conquering a Mountain of Construction Challenges
Brutal winter weather, shortages of materials, escalating costs, occasional visits from the local bear population-all these were joys this Building Team experienced working a new resort high up in the Sierra Nevada.
| Aug 11, 2010
Accor North America launches green hotel pilot program
Accor North America, a division of Accor Hospitality, has announced that it will pilot the Green Key Eco-Rating Program within its portfolio in the United States in 2010. Green Key is the first program of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable "green" practices; the Accor North America pilot will involve 20 properties.
| Aug 11, 2010
CTBUH changes height criteria; Burj Dubai height increases, others decrease
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)—the international body that arbitrates on tall building height and determines the title of “The World’s Tallest Building”—has announced a change to its height criteria, as a reflection of recent developments with several super-tall buildings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
See what $3,000 a month will get you at Chicago’s Aqua Tower
Magellan Development Group has opened three display models for the rental portion of Chicago’s highly anticipated Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang. Lease rates range from $1,498 for a studio to $3,111 for a two-bedroom unit with lake views.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
Construction employment declined in all but 19 communities nationwide this June as compared to June-2008, according to a new analysis of metropolitan-area employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The analysis shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.
| Aug 11, 2010
Casino Queen breaks ground on $2.15 million entertainment venue
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., is raising the stakes in its bid to capture a larger share of the local gaming market with the start of construction on a new $2.15 million sports bar and entertainment venue that will enhance the overall experience for guests.
| Aug 11, 2010
Outdated office tower becomes Nashville’s newest boutique hotel
A 1960s office tower in Nashville, Tenn., has been converted into a 248-room, four-star boutique hotel. Designed by Earl Swensson Associates, with PowerStrip Studio as interior designer, the newly converted Hutton Hotel features 54 suites, two penthouse apartments, 13,600 sf of meeting space, and seven “cardio” rooms.
