City Center DC

For 25 years the Washington Convention Center dominated the District of Columbia’s downtown
landscape. When the District decided to build a new facility nearby, it opened a rare development
opportunity – 10 acres of prime real estate located in the heart of downtown. With New York Avenue running along its northern edge, an enviable neighborhood to the west and two major subway stations a block away, Hines nicknamed the property “The hole in the donut.” The driving question and challenge became, how best to fill it.

ALIGNING ON A VISION
The District actively engaged community stakeholders for feedback on land usage, benchmarked best practices for mixed-use projects around the world, then laid out their vision:

• Create a unique, truly exceptional, pedestrian friendly mixed-use urban neighborhood to
  include retail, residential, civic/cultural and entertainment uses.
• Create a place that is first and foremost for the District and its residents and appeals to downtown workers and visitors.
• Create a great urban place with the highest level of quality and innovation in urban design and architecture.

REIMAGINING THE SPACE.
MAXIMIZING THE INVESTMENT
Instead of crowding the site with larger building footprints, the developers designed the office
and residential buildings to meet market needs, increase retail frontage and maximize pedestrian
circulation through the site.  A fiscal benefit analysis confirmed this innovative plan – which included street-level retail on all four sides of every building – created a huge multiple for tax revenues from sales taxes, resident income taxes and hospitality taxes. The mix of uses also responded to the District’s objective for local job creation and, most importantly, paved the way to a world-class urban neighborhood experience.

MASTER PLANNING A TRULY
EXCEPTIONAL LIFESTYLE.
Stroll through CityCenterDC today and you’ll be tempted to linger. There’s an energized mix of
everyday fun and high-end luxury.  We re-established the street grid to provide optimal visibility through the site and make room for surprisingly delightful pedestrian experiences.  With more than 40 retailers and restaurants, prime office space, luxe residences and a Conrad Hotel, a new place has been established.  CityCenterDC is a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. Public spaces are directionally oriented to maximize natural light, while programmed spaces are engineered to support social and entertainment events any time. An Instagram favorite, the award-winning Gateway at CityCenterDC video wall artfully captures the upbeat dynamism of the city. Even marketing materials reflect a playful sophistication.  From optimizing street-level retail to integrating effective sustainability strategies to initiating a major grant program for local non-profits, CityCenterDC represents the highest standards of what a public-private partnership can and should be.