The third and final phase of Skyland Town Center, a major mixed-use development in Southeast Washington, D.C., that has been years in the making is underway.
During the recent groundbreaking ceremony, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated, “The promise of Skyland Town Center has been years in the making, and I am grateful for all the people and partners who have worked with us to deliver on that promise for Ward 7.”
“Over the past decade, we’ve delivered housing, dining options, a grocery store, and more – and we’re not done yet. With this next phase, we look forward to bringing even more retail and housing, including affordable housing for our seniors, to Skyland Town Center.”
Once complete, the 18.5-acre site, developed by WC Smith and Rappaport, will ultimately feature over 450 residences and more than 135,000 square feet of retail space in a town square setting.
Bohler DC, the site civil engineering consultant and permitting agent, collaborated closely with the development and design teams to maintain forward momentum despite a variety of setbacks and challenges throughout the project’s lifecycle.
This final phase will add 126 townhomes, a 75-unit affordable housing complex for seniors, 10,000 square feet of retail space, and a public plaza. The site plan also includes open space, pocket parks, and Town Center Park, designed for both residents and visitors. This phase aims to enhance community engagement through flexible-use plazas and recreation areas.
A Long Journey
Initially selected by the D.C. government in 2002, developer Rappaport faced challenges attracting retailers, including the loss of Walmart as the anchor tenant in 2016 and economic recession delays.
Development regained momentum in 2019 after a strategic approach to securing new tenants and overcoming additional obstacles, including extensive soil testing for a 75-foot retaining wall required for the retail space.
Additional site design challenges included a 125-foot elevation change across the entire site, as well as close coordination of both private and public infrastructure. Bohler DC facilitated grading, earthwork, and utility design solutions to keep the project moving forward.
Today, Skyland Town Center is revitalizing Wards 7 and 8, providing new living, shopping, and community gathering spaces. The project achieved LEED silver-level and Energy Star multifamily high-rise certifications in January 2023.
A Collaborative Effort
Skyland Town Center is a joint development project involving WC Smith, Rappaport, Skyland DC, the Washington East Foundation, and the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization.
Bohler DC is proud to be part of this multi-phase, multi-year development requiring a series of strategic approaches to permitting and design that will benefit the local community for years to come.
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