Developer Who Spearheaded Capitol Crossing Megaproject Retires

The man who has led the development of D.C.'s $1.3B Capitol Crossing project is calling it a career. 

Property Group Partners Friday announced the retirement of its longtime D.C. head, Robert Braunohler. PGP's Sean Cahill was promoted to succeed Braunohler as regional vice president, leading all development and acquisition efforts in the D.C. region. 

"Bob has been an invaluable part of the PGP team and a critical contributor to our success over the past 18 years, bringing expertise and attention to detail to every project he takes on," PGP President Jeffrey Sussman said in a release.

Braunohler joined PGP in 2001 after spending the previous 24 years with The JBG Cos. He led PGP's development of Station Place — an office complex next to Union Station that houses the Securities and Exchange Commission's headquarters — the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown and, most recently, Capitol Crossing. 

The Capitol Crossing development began with the construction of a deck atop Interstate 395 to create three new city blocks. PGP then built the office building at 200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, which delivered last year, and it is currently underway with another office building at 250 Massachusetts Ave.

Sussman told Bisnow in August the leasing at the buildings has not met his expectations. The project is eventually planned to include five buildings totaling 2.2M SF, including two more office buildings and one residential building.

Those efforts will be led by Cahill, also a veteran of JBG, where he started his career in 1984 and worked for 16 years. He then worked for Horning Brothers before joining PGP in 2003, most recently serving as senior vice president of development. 

"Sean brings an exceptional understanding of the development market and a strong track record guiding unique developments from conception to construction and management," Sussman said.