Neighborhood Spotlight: The Capitol Riverfront

On any given weekday during the summer The Capitol Riverfront is literally bursting with activity. People are hustling off the metro to Nationals Stadium, enjoying a concert at The Yards, or dining al fresco. In 2015, The Capitol Riverfront was home to 4,800 residents, 34,000 employees, and saw 10,569 average daily metro riders at Navy Yard/Ballpark Stadium – but DC’s fastest growing neighborhood wasn’t always this vibrant. We take a look at the evolution of this dynamic area.

The Past

Despite all the change that The Capitol Riverfront has experienced the last few years, one steadfast element that remains relatively consistent is the presence of the Navy Yard, America’s longest continually operating naval facility. Community and industry surrounded the Navy Yard from the 19^th century throughout WWII, but when the war ended the industry of the Navy Yard and surrounding area suffered. Additionally, the newly completed upper level of the Southeast-Southwest Freeway meant there was a physical barrier between the residents and businesses on the River and Capitol Hill.

In the years that followed WWII, the neighborhood had deteriorated into a stagnant former industrial area, with a polluted river to boot. When the government decided to consolidate the Naval Sea Systems Command to the Navy Yards, people slowly started to take note of the forgotten neighborhood. Over the next 10 years, the City and its partners started laying the groundwork to clean up the riverfront, develop mixed-use communities, public parks and a new headquarters for the Department of Transportation. The real excitement started when construction began on the stadium for D.C.’s new baseball team.

The Present

It’s safe to say the Capitol Riverfront has been in a whirlwind of growth since National Park’s 2008 debut. No other D.C. neighborhood saw more construction in 2015 than the Capitol Riverfront – the numbers speak for themselves. In 2015 alone, one new office building, three new hotels and 192,000 SF of retail were under construction. Retail giant Harris Teeter has a location in the Capitol Waterfront, along with a host of restaurants including Bluejacket Brewery and Osteria Morini. Additionally, 299 events were hosted in the area, some within the 10 acres of parks.

Residential developers are capitalizing on the natural placemaking that is occurring in the neighborhood, and 10 new apartment buildings were under construction in 2015 including Greystar’s ORE 82. With the growing mix of a work, live, play lifestyle on the water, Capitol Riverfront is positioned to be the cool kids’ version of Georgetown.

The Future

The Capitol Riverfront’s current growth is not expected to slow down anytime soon. The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District estimates a 27% average annual growth in population in the neighborhood from 2015 – 2018, with 14 new residential buildings either breaking ground in 2016 or already under construction. Whole Foods and Showplace ICON Theater are expected to set roots in the neighborhood, and 246,000 SF of retail inventory is in the pipeline to deliver by 2018. Additionally, 2016 office construction includes the new headquarters of the National Association of Broadcasters and DC Water.

Soccer and baseball fans will be pre-gaming together since the new DC United stadium will be opening in Buzzards Point in 2018, solidifying the neighborhood as a sports destination, and following in Nationals Stadium footsteps as being a catalyst for continued growth in the area.

Stats and Information courtesy of the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District.