Washington DC Construction Update 2013

Have you driven past Washington DC construction sites and wondered what's going on? The nation’s capital has many neighborhoods that are being revitalized with new housing, retail and office space. New attractions are also in the planning stage or have broken ground. While I can’t possibly keep track of every construction project, here is a list of some of the major ones that are underway. If you know of a new building to add, feel free to email me the details at dc@aboutguide.com.

Marriott Marquis
Address: 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington DC.
Projected Opening Date: 2014
The 1,175-room hotel will have 100,000 square feet of meeting and assembly space, including a 30,000 square foot grand ballroom, and five separate, publicly accessible retail and restaurant outlets on the ground floor.

City Center DC - The Old Convention Center Site
Address: Between New York Avenue and 9th and H and 11th Sts. NW Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2013
The 10-acre old Convention Center site in Downtown Washington, DC is being redeveloped in two phases. The first phase is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with 458 rental apartment units and 216 condominium units and 520,000 square feet of office space. A second phase of the project is planned to include a 350-room upscale hotel, along with 110,000 additional square feet of retail.

St. Elizabeths - Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
Address: St. Elizabeth’s, SE Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2016
The Department of Homeland Security is consolidating its headquarters in the Anacostia neighborhood of southeast Washington, DC. The DHS's current facilities are spread among more than 40 buildings in the Washington, DC area. The new facility will provide space for more 14,000 employees in a secure 176-acre campus. St. Elizabeth’s is a National Historic Landmark that was a former government hospital for the Insane.

The Yards
Address: Capital Riverfront, Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2012 -2016
The 42-acre neighborhood along the Anacostia Waterfront, between Nationals Park and the Washington Navy Yard, is being developed in three phases and features 2,700 new condos and apartments and 1.8 million square feet of office space. Phase two will include retail space and restaurants that will be completed in 2014-2016.

CityMarket at O
Address: O Street, Between 7th and 9th Sts. NW Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2013-2014
The $300 million mixed-use development is under construction near Gallery Place in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of DC. The project will include more than 87,000 square feet of retail, 635 residential units, 500 parking spaces, and 182-room Cambria Suites hotel. During the 19th century, this space was home to one of the city’s public markets. The CityMarket at O will restore this space and incorporate a new 72,000-square foot Giant Food Store.

Walmarts
Various locations
Projected Opening Dates: Late 2012
The mega-retail chain will open six stores in Washington DC. The construction will create at least 1,200 jobs and stimulate the local economy. The new stores will offer customers a full grocery selection, including fresh produce, a bakery, delicatessen and organic food items as well as a full service pharmacy and a wide variety of general merchandise. The stores will be smaller than most of the suburban locations.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum
Address: NW of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Constitution Avenue, 23rd Street, and Henry Bacon Drive.
Projected Opening Date: Not Yet Determined
The Visitors Center will be built underground. It will serve to educate visitors about the Vietnam War and will pay tribute to all of the men and women who served in all of America’s wars.

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Address: between 14th and 15th Streets, NW, Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2015
In 2012, The Smithsonian Institution began construction of the museum on the National Mall adjacent to the Washington Monument and the National Museum of American History. The museum will explore topics such as slavery, the Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance and the civil rights movement.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Address: Between 4th and 6th Sts. SW, Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2015
Construction has not yet begun but a design concept by world-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry has been selected. The design features a central area set back from a number of eight-story columns framed by large metal panels that will depict “photographs” of Eisenhower's life.

National Law Enforcement Memorial Museum
Address: 400 block of E Street, NW Washington, DC
Projected Opening Date: 2014
A 55,000-square foot underground museum will be built near the National Law Enforcement Memorial to tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibits, collections, research and education.

The White House Visitor Center
Address: 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC
Projected Opening Date: Early 2014
Improvements to the Visitor Center will include interactive exhibits and a model of the White House, as well as a new permanent museum gallery, a temporary exhibit area, an improved book sales area, and visitor information facilities. A temporary visitor facility will be located at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion near the corner of 15th and E Streets, NW Washington DC.

National Childrens Museum
Address: National Harbor, Maryland
Projected Opening Date: 2013
The museum will be a 150,000 square-foot LEED certified building with state-of-the-art exhibits, programs, and resources for families. While the permanent space is in development, a Launch Zone serves as a temporary space with interactive exhibits and programs.

American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial
Address: Washington Ave. and Second St. SW
Washington DC
Projected Opening Date: 2012
The Memorial will be built on a 2.4-acre triangular site across from the U.S. Botanic Garden, near the U.S. Capitol Building. It will serve as a public tribute to the millions of American veterans who have been disabled defending our nation.

See also, Urban Development in Washington DC to learn about the revitalization plans in specific Washington DC neighborhoods.