New Kids On The Block: Capitol Riverfront

WeWork

One of the coolest new kids that, just like in high school, will exert its magnetic influence on other cool new kids, WeWork has signed for 69k SF at 80 M St. SE. Founded in 2010, WeWork transforms buildings into beautiful, collaborative workspaces appealing primarily to entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups and small businesses.

WeWork’s investment augurs the arrival of a new type of office tenant for the Capitol Riverfront. Once home mostly to the federal government and contractors, the area is already now attracting a new wave of tenants, including government affairs (Mercury Public Relations, Thorn Run Partners), nonprofits (AARP, Trust for Public Land) and associations (the National Association of Broadcasters). With WeWork on the scene, expect to see some innovative, fast-moving tech companies added to the roster.

Conte's Bikes

Conte’s Bikes will open its first DC location in Forest City Washington’s The Yards later this year, in the Arris apartments at 1331 4th St. SE.

Conte’s Bikes is part of a wave of fitness retailers clustering in the Capitol Riverfront, joining VIDA Fitness gym and Pacers Running in The Yards and Orange Theory Fitness in the recently opened ORE 82 project on New Jersey Avenue SE (at 82 I St. SE).

Fitness retailers are attracted by the influx of Millennials and empty nesters descending on the neighborhood as it becomes more residential. They also find benefits in clustering near two major league sports destinations, Nationals Park and the new DC United soccer stadium, which will open in 2018 in Buzzard Point.

In preparation for its opening, Conte’s held a pop-up in Forest City Washington’s Arris apartment building last May, connecting with bicyclists at Bike To Work Day and at Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewery’s annual beer and bikes festival held in Yards Park. Conte’s Bikes joins other retailers opening at The Yards this spring/summer, including The Juice Laundry, Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons and Cosmopolitan Nail Lounge.

Homewood Suites 

Opened in November 2016 at 50 M St. SE, Homewood Suites by Hilton is the third finished hotel in the Capitol Riverfront. Shake Shack will occupy some of its 5k SF of retail space, joining the one already installed in Nationals Park. Developed and owned by KCG 50 M LLC, an affiliate of Englewood LLC and CG Investments, and operated by Sage Hospitality, the Homewood Suites features the brand's standard convenient amenities.

Guests have the choice of a studio or one-bedroom suite, fully equipped kitchens, complimentary WiFi, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a hot breakfast each morning and an evening social every Monday through Thursday. The corner suites have terrific views from their floor-to-ceiling windows, while the rooftop terrace offers grilling areas for guests to use while enjoying panoramic views of the neighborhood.

National Association of Broadcasters 

The National Association of Broadcasters will move from Dupont Circle to One M, a 116k SF trophy Class-A office building developed by Monument Realty, in 2018. The NAB’s move designates the Capitol Riverfront as an ideal location for associations hoping to connect with decision-makers in Congress, at federal agencies and across the country.

Similar associations may follow for convenient access to the U.S. Capitol, Reagan National Airport and downtown DC.

Monument is expected to break ground on One M and its sister project, Ten Van, a 171-unit condo project it is also developing on South Capitol Street, any day now. Upon completion, the NAB will own One M and be its main office tenant.

Whaley's

Whaley’s seafood restaurant opened in 2016, joining Osteria Morini and Due South in The Yards. Ranked the 12th-best restaurant in DC by Washingtonian this year, Whaley’s offers an exciting and diverse seafood selection in a riverfront setting.

Their seafood tower was hailed by the Washington Post as being “[like] a novel, one you can’t put down, each page building on the momentum of the previous one.” Last year, the restaurant teamed up with Rappahannock River Oyster Co. on a proprietary oyster, with proceeds benefiting the Anacostia Riverkeeper, a local nonprofit organization.

Whaley’s will soon be joined by another riverfront seafood dining destination, The Salt Line, backed by Nationals player and investor Ryan Zimmerman. It will open in MRP Realty’s Dock 79 project at 79 Potomac Ave. SE.