Coming Soon: 6 Exciting Connecticut Ave Projects Delivering in 2016

To drive along one of DC's main residential thoroughfares—Connecticut Ave NW—is to get a microcosm of the area's rapid development. And there are six projects delivering next year, all on a three-mile stretch of road, you should be paying attention to.

The Chinese Embassy residences, designed by Esocoff & Associates (soon to be Gensler) starts our tour with a bang. This 160-unit building, designed for the families of employees at the Chinese Embassy, is just as amenity-driven as any luxury rental project. It's got seven elevator shafts so each unit can have windows on multiple walls. It will also have a half-court basketball court, a badminton court, a 25-meter indoor pool and a table tennis room "suitable for more serious table tennis," Phil Esocoff told us this summer.

Photo: JBG

What we all know as Wardman Tower (or the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel) that sits on a hill is in the process of becoming a permanent residence for some. The property’s developer, JBG, is in the planning phase of converting a portion of the landmark hotel to residential units. Approximately 162 hotel rooms on floors three through eight are slated to morph into 32 condos ranging from about 2,200 to 4,500 SF.  In preparation for the permanent guest, the hotel is working on constructing an underground parking garage for 72 cars. The two- to four-bedroom units are expected to be completed next year. They are already in pre-sale, with units starting at $3M.

History abounds as the name Harry Wardman, one of DC's greatest architects, pops up a lot in these parts of town. South Cathedral Mansions, a landmark apartment building built in 1922 by Wardman and Mihran Mesrobian, is in the midst of a major renovation by Commonwealth Cooperative. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the DC Inventory of Historic Sites, the building is a block from the Woodley Park Zoo and Adams Morgan Metro Station. It's gearing up for a February 2016 opening and currently pre-leasing.

The multi-year, $63M student center project at the University of the District of Columbia has been a work in progress delayed several times. It was originally scheduled to open in 2013, but is now preparing to host a grand opening on Jan. 20, 2016. The energy-efficient student center will be home to a new dining area, a fitness center, various student-focused spaces and a ballroom that will offer a mix of uses to both the university and the surrounding community. The center is one of the first major projects for the Van Ness campus in decades, and UDC plans for it to be the central gathering hub for the commuter-heavy university.

With 271 units and 10k SF of commercial and retail in the works, Saul Centers’ Park Van Ness is on its way to becoming a vibrant mixed-use community. The 11-story property has been designed in the neighborhood’s art-deco style to create a seamless transition from old to new. The first five levels of residential floors will be below street level and have amazing views overlooking Rock Creek Park. The other six stories will be above ground and display a masonry brick and stone exterior with decorative windows. Park Van Ness is slated to open in early 2016.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Upper Northwest, these luxury apartments by Calvin Cafritz (with construction by Grunley Construction) take center stage on a serene tree-lined street in Chevy Chase. Amenities include a landscaped courtyard, vegetable garden, a community room with fireplace, a yoga room, and a multi-functional rooftop with a dog walking area and large, built-in grill. The 263-unit building has a somewhat controversial design and is planning an early winter 2016 opening.