District of Columbia

Lowe Acquires Former School Site in Washington, D.C., Plans 500,000 SF Art Museum-Anchored Development

by Kristin Harlow August 7, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lowe, a national real estate investor, developer and manager, has acquired the former Randall School site at 65 I St. SW in Washington, D.C. Lowe plans to redevelop the 2.7-acre site into a 500,000-square-foot mixed-use project featuring a contemporary art museum. Lowe had first come on as partner for the project in 2017 but is now assuming control of the development from TRSW, a partnership between Telesis Corp., a national affordable housing developer, and the Rubell family, long-standing collectors and patrons of the arts. Lowe intends for the project to create an arts and cultural anchor in the Southwest neighborhood. The designated Arts District will provide a second home for the Miami-based Rubell Family Collection, an internationally acclaimed contemporary art collection that draws visitors from around the world, according to Mark Rivers, executive vice president at Lowe. At the core of the project is the restoration and repositioning of the school’s three buildings, of which two will be transformed into an approximately 31,000-square-foot art museum housing the Rubell Family Collection. Entry to the museum will be free of charge to all residents of the District. The West Randall building will be reconfigured as an 18,000-square-foot creative office …

August 7, 2019

Acquisitions District of Columbia Office Southeast

Network Realty Partners, USAA Purchase 625,506 SF Office Complex in D.C.

by Alex Tostado August 5, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A partnership between Network Realty Partners and USAA Real Estate has purchased Union Square, an office complex in Washington, D.C.’s NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood. The property comprises a central courtyard and two nine-story office buildings totaling 625,506 square feet. Union Square was originally built in 1969 and renovated in 2012. The complex was 90 percent leased at the time of sale to government and nonprofit tenants. Dek Potts, Jim Meisel, Matt Nicholson and Sean Kraft of JLL represented the buyers in the transaction. The seller and sales price were not disclosed.

August 5, 2019

Josh Simon (left) and Pierce Kruetzer are establishing a new Mid-Atlantic office of Lee & Associates.

District of Columbia Lee & Associates Southeast Virginia

Lee & Associates Opens New DC/Northern Virginia Office

by Jaime Lackey July 20, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lee & Associates has named Josh Simon president of the firm’s new Washington, D.C/Northern Virginia regional office. Simon previously served as a partner with NAI KLNB. Pierce Kruetzer — also formerly of NAI KLNB — joins Simon as a principal with the new Lee & Associates office. Simon expects to grow the office with eight to 10 brokers to assist clients in need of office landlord representation, office tenant representation, retail leasing, industrial leasing, debt services and investment sales services. “Establishing a presence in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia is an extremely critical component of the Mid-Atlantic expansion strategy outlined by Lee & Associates several years ago, given the continued strength and momentum of the commercial real estate sector surrounding the Nation’s Capital,” notes Allan Riorda, Lee & Associates Board Member and President of the Maryland office. “This program most recently initiated in central Pennsylvania with the opening of the Harrisburg office. Over the next several years, we intend to establish locations in Baltimore, Frederick, Hagerstown and points throughout northern Virginia including Dulles and Tysons Corner.” Simon says, “With its business model, Lee & Associates is able to offer more competitive commission splits, backed by similar tools …

July 20, 2019

District of Columbia Industrial Loans Multifamily Office Retail Southeast

MBA: Q1 Commercial Real Estate, Multifamily Mortgage Originations Rise 12 Percent, Sales Fall 9 Percent

by Alex Tostado July 10, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commercial real estate loan originations rose 12 percent in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations. The industrial sector climbed 73 percent in loan originations, followed by healthcare (41 percent) and hotels (14 percent). Retail and multifamily both saw increases (9 percent each), while the dollar volume of office property loans was unchanged. “The momentum seen in 2018’s record year of borrowing and lending continued in the first quarter of this year,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s vice president of commercial real estate research. “First-quarter volumes were higher for nearly every property type, and double-digit growth in loan volume for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac led the increase among capital sources. Low interest rates and strong property values continue to make commercial real estate an attractive market for borrowers.” While loan volumes ticked up, acquisitions across the four major property types fell 9 percent, says MBA. Apartment sales were roughly flat from last year, while office, retail and industrial property sales fell from 14 to 16 percent. The capitalization rates were flat from 2018 for industrial, retail and …

July 10, 2019

Acquisitions District of Columbia Office Southeast

Akridge, Alcion Partners Sell Office Building in Downtown D.C. for $119M

by Alex Tostado July 9, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Akridge and Alcion Partners have sold 1701 Rhode Island Ave., a seven-story, 103,908-square-foot office building in downtown Washington, D.C., for $119 million. The partnership acquired the then-YMCA in March 2016 before repositioning the asset into an office building fully leased to WeWork. WeWork has occupied the space since February. Design firm Hickok Cole Architects and general contractor Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. led the redevelopment of 1701 Rhode Island to include a two-story lobby, pocket park, rooftop decks on the penthouse and seventh floor and a landscaped rooftop terrace. An affiliate of EXAN Capital acquired 1701 Rhode Island. Collins Ege, Sean McDermott, Nicholas Pappas and Nick Carpenter of Eastdil Secured represented the sellers in the transaction. EXAN Capital will remain as the asset manager.

July 9, 2019

Acquisitions District of Columbia Multifamily Southeast

Marcus & Millichap Arranges $20.3M Sale of Multifamily Portfolio in Northwest D.C.

by Alex Tostado July 5, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marcus & Millichap has arranged the $20.3 million sale of a multifamily portfolio in northwest Washington, D.C. The portfolio consists of two properties totaling 172 residential units. The communities include Walter Reed Apartments, which is located at 6939 Georgia Ave. NW at the entrance of The Parks at Walter Reed, a 66-acre redevelopment of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center that upon completion will include over 3.1 million square feet of mixed-use development. The other property is Longfellow Apartments, located at 5521 Colorado Ave. NW near Rock Creek Park in D.C.’s 16th Street Heights neighborhood. Marty Zupancic and Christian Barreiro of Marcus & Millichap brokered the transaction between the seller, an affiliate of Poretsky Building Group that is focused on providing affordable housing, and the buyer, an entity managed by Urban Investment Partners.

July 5, 2019

Acquisitions District of Columbia Hospitality Southeast

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust to Sell Hotel in Downtown D.C. for $42M

by Alex Tostado June 25, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has entered into an agreement to sell Kimpton Rouge Hotel, a 137-room hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., for $42 million. The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center, in-room spa services, a yoga mat in every room, bicycles for rent and an on-site bar. The seller expects the sale to close in the third quarter of this year. The buyer was not disclosed.

June 25, 2019

Development District of Columbia Multifamily Southeast

EJF, Donatelli, Blue Skye Developing $95M Multifamily Project Within D.C. Opportunity Zone

by Alex Tostado May 31, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — EJF Capital, Donatelli Development and Blue Skye Development are developing a $95 million, 262-unit mixed-income housing project within an opportunity zone in southeast Washington, D.C. The project is under construction within Hill East, a 67-acre master-planned development. The multifamily component, which has not yet been named, will include an undisclosed number of affordable housing units and 13,000 square feet of retail space. The project is expected to be complete in August 2020. Eagle Bank is providing $59.5 million of construction financing.

May 31, 2019

Development District of Columbia Office Southeast Top Stories

Carr Properties Breaks Ground on 225,000 SF Office Development in Washington, D.C.

by Kristin Harlow May 15, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Carr Properties has broken ground on Signal House, a 225,000-square-foot office development in the Union Market neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Located at 350 Morse St., the project will be situated adjacent to Florida Avenue and near the NOMA-Gallaudet Metro Station. Designed by Gensler, the 10-story office building will pay tribute to the historic industrial surroundings of the area with a terra cotta, metal and glass exterior. Amenities at the property will include a penthouse with a demonstration kitchen, bar, recording studio, DJ booth, karaoke room and conference center. Other features will include 10,000 square feet of private terraces, fitness facilities, bike storage and 12,500 square feet of retail space. “Signal House will be the first new office development in Union Market and will add to the revitalization of an area that is becoming one of the most dynamic creative and retail destinations in the city,” says Oliver Carr, CEO of Carr Properties. Completion of the project is slated for the first quarter of 2021. John Moriarty & Associates is the general contractor. The developers are seeking LEED Gold certification for the property. Carr Properties is a privately held real estate investment trust that owns, acquires and develops …

May 15, 2019

International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C.

Civic Development District of Columbia Southeast Top Stories

JBG Smith, Malrite Complete $162M International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.

by Jeff Shaw May 10, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — JBG Smith Properties and Malrite Co. have completed the development of a new and expanded International Spy Museum at L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C. When the project was announced in 2015, The Washington Post reported that the estimated costs were $162 million. The building officially opens to the public on Sunday, May 12. The development more than doubles the size of the museum to 140,000 square feet and moves it from F Street to just two blocks south of the National Mall and two blocks north of The Wharf. L’Enfant Plaza has its own stop on the Metro rail line. The museum showcases the world’s largest collection of international espionage-related artifacts and features an interactive exhibition highlighting the villains in the James Bond movies. In addition to larger exhibition space, the new building also includes dedicated temporary exhibition space; a learning center with workshop spaces; a theater for lectures, films and panel discussions; and adaptable spaces for programs. The rooftop provides nearly 360-degree views of the city, including the Capitol Building and Washington Monument. Indoor event space is encased in floor-to-ceiling windows for private events and public programs. London-based architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners designed the building, …

May 10, 2019

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