Tour of Square 54 - Washington DC

Recently, I was fortunate enough to tour Washington DC’s Square 54 project with Ray Ritchie EVP, and Peter Johnson SVP of [Boston Properties](www.bostonproperties.com). An impressive project only accomplished by a company with the capacity and willingness to develop this project with cash. While the DC market is relatively strong due to the presence of the federal government, this project still had its challenges and is a tremendous accomplishment in any location.

Situated in the western portion of downtown Washington, DC’s Central Business District, the property is dual branded as 2200 Penn (office) and The Avenue (residential), sharing significant infrastructure and amenities. Sandwiched within the George Washington University campus, this project was built on a ground lease. As many projects have experienced in DC, the hard surface required to go downstairs for the 5th level below grade required substantial blasting, a major feat in one of the most secure cities in the country, and within feet of multiple surgery centers and historic buildings.

Coming off the subway directly to the corner of this true urban mixed use project, retail, office and living all blends together. Whole foods is currently building out their retail corner in a two-story, very funky layout, that could only be sold to Whole Foods in this location, because there is no way this fits into their typical footprint. DC is unique with its height limits, so this project only stands ten-stories high, with Class A office entering through a soaring three-story, glass-enclosed lobby, transitioning you to a predominately hardscape interior courtyard, across which you can enter the two-story lobby for the 333-unit luxury apartment building. Construction commenced in June 2008 and is expected to be completed by the first quarter 2011. This project is a definite must see, and the view from the top is awesome.