440 Residential Units Now Planned For Ivy City’s New City

• July 27, 2016
• 8 Comments

by Nena Perry-Brown

Douglas Development is shepherding much of the renaissance transforming Ivy City from a semi-industrialized neighborhood with a smattering of residences into a densely-developed corridor. The 15-acre triangular site at the intersection of New York and Montana Avenues and Bladensburg Road NE (map) will be one of the largest and most pivotal developments in this neighborhood — and plans have evolved to more than double the amount of housing planned for the site.

Originally, 550,000 square feet of retail, 108 hotel rooms, 200 apartments and 2,800 parking spaces were planned at the project being dubbed New CityDC. Those plans have now been expanded to 156 hotel rooms, 422 apartments and 18 townhouses fronting Montana Avenue and Bladensburg Road, per marketing materials.

The 550,000 square feet of retail would include two anchor tenants occupying 130,000 and 100,000 square feet apiece at a building on New York Avenue. There will be over 2,400 parking spaces over three levels atop that retail.

The remaining retail and restaurant space will be spread across six retail buildings surrounding a pedestrian plaza. The hotel will be a four-story building behind a bank fronting New York Avenue. Over 400 additional parking spaces will be spread across two partially below-grade levels in the retail building at the southernmost tip of the site.

Portions of the nine-building development, designed by Antunovich Associates, could deliver by the third quarter of 2018.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/more_housing_headed_for_newcity_dc/11517

8 Comments

1. Nathaniel Martin said at 7:07 pm on Wednesday July 27, 2016:
   It's disappointing that the architects and developers have resorted to a faux-historic-industrial style for this complex. The site appears to be a blank slate, based on the map link, and there is no sensitive historical context. This could be an opportunity for a really inventive design--something cutting-edge that would draw people in from throughout the region. Instead, we get fake factories.

1. skidrowedc@gmail.com said at 7:47 pm on Wednesday July 27, 2016:
   The renderings can't possibly be representative of the buildings planned -- even going 2 stories, 550,000 sf of retail means some serious big boxes! For future updates on this development, please try to get drawings that show the more complete picture. I'm glad that the density of uses has increased, but this still is a rather low-density development. Go for more, Douglas Dev! Another story or two. And smaller void spaces: The scale of the streets and pedestrian areas looks way too large to be activated (or even activate-able, possibly). They're even desolate in the renderings. Make them smaller via making your buildings larger! And I'm in agreement with Nathaniel Martin. Especially if you're planning to call it "New City," why are you building a Olde City? Especially given that, in translation from renderings to actual buildings, the fakery will probably be obvious. This is the site (and project name) for the over-the-top designs Anthony Lanier/Eastbanc keeps floating (inappropriately) for Georgetown!

1. Fried Green Tomatoes said at 9:06 pm on Wednesday July 27, 2016:
   Meh. This isn't even good enough for Reston. DC deserves better... at least 1,500 housing units can easily fit there. Heck, bring back Arbor Place. http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2010/05/arbor-place-no-more.html

1. revitalizer said at 1:53 am on Thursday July 28, 2016:
   I find the proposed massing and architecture along New York Avenue to be offensive. Please change. And, add another 600 units.

1. JSLAROCCA said at 6:50 am on Thursday July 28, 2016:
   judging from the look of the "Big Market" it looks like we are finally getting a Wegman's in district. Everyone should jump for joy

1. FAMU_Mommy said at 11:45 am on Thursday July 28, 2016:
   We need a good affordable grocery store in the area. I would LOVE to see a wegmans here!

1. Matt said at 2:01 pm on Thursday July 28, 2016:
   This is a boring and disappointing design and plan for what is a massive site in a really interesting location as a gateway into the city, near Ivy City and even H Street and Union Market. Putting this bland 1990s suburban town center concept up (it's actually worse than designs in places like Rockville and Reston) would be a huge mistake. As a previous commentator noted, this is essentially a blank slate with so much potential and yet Douglas has opted for one of the worst possible proposals. Please start from scratch. Add more density, get rid of the low-slung faux "town center" feel, and reflect more of an urban character.

1. Brett said at 4:25 pm on Thursday July 28, 2016:
   Great renderings. I'm glad it's not just a bunch of big boxes, like Dakota Crossing. This is just what that area needs, something to beautify DC's eastern gateway and lots of retail to pull money from the tens of thousands who pass by on 50 everyday. Let's hope it gets built!