CityCenterDC

HR&A supported the development of the District’s Master Plan and the developer selection process for the former Washington Convention Center site.

CityCenterDC is a new mixed-used project in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. consisting of 2.5 million square feet of office, residential, and retail space on the 10-acre site of the former Washington Convention Center.  Former District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray lauds CityCenterDC as “one of the most important projects … in the history of the District of Columbia.” On behalf of the District of Columbia, HR&A led the initial concept planning for the site, solicited private development partners, and assisted with negotiations resulting in selection of the current development team.

HR&A supported the District of Columbia from master planning through developer designation.

Working in partnership with Skidmore Owings & Merrill, HR&A developed a reuse plan and program to illustrate the development potential for the site, encourage widespread private interest and ensure long-term economic benefits for the public. We created a development program for the site that balanced ambitious goals for downtown revitalization with market realities and development constraints.

After successfully preparing the conceptual reuse plan, HR&A managed the District’s RFQ/RFP process to designate a Master Developer.

We drafted the solicitation on behalf of the District, setting forth development guidelines and key designation criteria. HR&A evaluated the submissions and advised the District regarding each proposal’s policy and economic implications, identified urban design and financial implications, and ranked the proposals according to a decision-making framework that was established in collaboration with the District.

Ultimately, HR&A supported the negotiations that resulted in a Letter of Intent with two finalists, and advised the District on its designation of the Master Developer. CityCenterDC opened in 2015.

Image Courtesy of: SOM