Zoning Commission Gives Final Nod to Half Street

• June 30th 2015

by Tianna Mañón

The Capitol Riverfront, already laden with new development, will soon welcome Half Street to the neighborhood.

Half Street, a large-scale mixed-use project near Nationals Park, was given unanimous support for final action during Monday’s Zoning Commission meeting. The developers, Jair Lynch Development Partners and MacFarlane Partners, were seeking approval to modify a previously approved plan, which had more space for a possible hotel and minor design and material changes. They also sought variances for the residential lot occupancy and the setback requirement.

The project, located at 55 M Street SE (map), has 463,910 square feet, which is split between retail and residential. The developers are considering two scenarios for the building: 445 residential units or 365 residential units with an 80-room hotel.

Office space sits on the north side of the site. The south side will be developed with two floors of retail, underground parking with bike storage, residential units on the floors above and a roof featuring a pool, fountain and green space. There will also be multiple courtyards throughout the building. Jair Lynch, CEO of Jair Lynch Development Partners, said the project will emphasize the urban setting. If the hotel is pursued, it’s proposed location is on the upper floors of the building.

The possibility of the hotel’s construction remains up in the air and the Commission moved to give the developers the flexibility to develop it later. A second scenario presented from the developers discussed guest drop-off, amenities and space usage. However, in a May meeting, Lynch said the increase in the number of hotels in the area may lead them to abandon the hotel idea unless more office spaces and other residences are built.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/Zoning_Commission_gives_final_nod_to_half_street/10063.