BBGM provided Architectural services for 13 U, JBG Smith’s newest multi-family mixed-use project, located in the U Street Corridor of Washington, DC – one of the hottest nightlife areas in the city.
BBGM, in conjunction with David M. Schwarz Architects, stepped up to deliver a high-end product that embodies the essence of U Street. Navigating a challenging process for the approval, design and planning stages, the development team managed to deliver a unique project that maintains the historical integrity of the overall neighborhood.
The high-end residential development offers 129 luxury units in a meticulously detailed brick and cast stone building, paying homage to the area’s rich architectural history with traditional charm. A series of setbacks and projections were created in the building’s façade to effectively break down the overall scale, creating a seamless addition to the U Street Historic District.
In order to attract the building’s target market, all members of the project team were challenged to deliver a residential product that would attract the most sophisticated tenants in an already competitive market. In addition to the task of delivering a successful luxury residential project, the team was also charged with the unique challenge of maintaining operations of retail outfits currently in operation while the building remained under construction.
The project team delivered.
Residents are drawn to a boutique-style living, featuring elegant finishes embraced by warm lighting. The intimate lobby is reminiscent of smaller high-end hotels, while the individual residential units are nothing short of spectacular. With an average unit size over 1,000 square feet and balconies or terraces in 60% of the units, the project team hit the mark for the high-end, sophisticated rental market, while successfully navigating project challenges.
Retail operations were also successfully maintained throughout the duration of the project, with the operating outlet being relocated to a complex throughout construction, and returning to a new turn-key store with upgraded finishes. Over 15,000 square feet of retail space occupies the ground floor, which is already 100% leased.
Residential units are leasing at a break-neck pace, well ahead of initial projections for the building. One of the penthouses has already been leased as well. JBG Smith is managing and leasing the building and has confidence that any decision to sell would beat their own records, and potentially those of the DC market in general.
