Riverfront Review 2019 by DC Fray // District Fray

RIVERFRONT REVIEW 2019

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

T H E N E X T C H A P T E R I N A PA R T M E N T L I V I N G

Inviting residents and visitors alike to be a part of a vibrant community.

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RIVERFRONT REVIEW 2019

arks, waterfront recreation, convenient shopping, one-of-a-kind dining, sports attractions, inspired workspaces, and premier events are all part of the booming Capitol Riverfront neighborhood in Southeast DC. As the fastest growing neighborhood in DC, Capitol Riverfront is a true live, work, and play experience that gives businesses, residents, retail, and guests an exciting environment to connect and thrive. DC Amplified. Life Simplified.

Greetings...............................................................................................................................4 Small Businesses, Big Dreams.......................................................................................6 Know Your Neighborhood..........................................................................................12 Riverfront Retail.............................................................................................................14 Community Events......................................................................................................22 Neighborhood Map...................................................................................................24 Capitol Spectacles......................................................................................................26 Game Day Fare.............................................................................................................30 Washington’s Home Game Schedules.................................................................36 A Residential Hotbed...................................................................................................38 Residential Amenities...................................................................................................42 The River’s Keeper...........................................................................................................44 Summer Events.................................................................................................................46

An annual guide to the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Published with permission from the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District (BID). All rights reserved. ©2019 On Tap Magazine. All photos provided by the Capitol Riverfront BID unless otherwise specified. For neighborhood inquiries, please contact the Capitol Riverfront BID at 202-371-1220. For publishing inquiries, please contact On Tap Magazine at 703-465-0500. www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

GREETINGS

On behalf of the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District (BID), I welcome you to the 2019 edition of Riverfront Review. 2018 was designated as the Year of the Anacostia, so it is only fitting that we celebrate one of the foundations of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood’s growth – access to the Anacostia River and its recreational opportunities. The character and perception of the Anacostia River has changed over time from a natural habitat and source of food to Native Americans; to a manufacturing and shipping corridor; to an industrial sewer; and now to a vibrant recreational corridor and open space system. These days in Capitol Riverfront, we often refer to the Anacostia River and its 1,200 acres of public park lands as our version of Rock Creek Park on this side of the city. People are using the riverwalk trail system more and more to explore Anacostia Park, Yards Park, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and the National Arboretum; and there is growing interaction with the river through kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, boating, and running and cycling the trail. Many partners have been involved in the river’s ongoing clean-up and restoration, and those efforts are bringing incredible change to the Anacostia. What have these efforts and the Anacostia River itself meant to the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood? We are first and foremost a riverfront community, one that enjoys easy access to the Anacostia and its parks. Water is magic, and residents, employees, and businesses enjoy the Anacostia as a daily backdrop to their activities. The Anacostia is one reason Capitol Riverfront is DC’s fastest growing neighborhood. What started as an industrial backyard has become a desirable riverfront destination for urban living, working, and leisure. The Anacostia River and the neighborhood’s parks remain the foundation of success and create an outdoor ethos. Come and join us by the water, as our city and Capitol Riverfront neighborhood continue to renew a relationship with the Anacostia.

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TACO TUESDAYS

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Small Businesses, Big Dreams

The Entrepreneurs Behind

Bustling Spots By Courtney Sexton

Photo: Courtesy of Jennings & Smith

t is clear to everyone who visits Capitol Riverfront that the neighborhood is a place where locals have the opportunity to escape the chaos of the city without leaving it – and without losing the benefits that an international community brings. Indeed, the driving force behind the warm and welcoming energy that flows through this riverside enclave is its people. Here we highlight a few small business owners who have been part of building the neighborhood since the Capitol Riverfront redevelopment began – and some even before – as well as a few new kids on the block. While they come from diverse backgrounds and represent a spectrum of commercial enterprises ranging from food to fitness, they share the creativity and drive needed to start a new venture from the ground up – and a love for this bustling, inviting corner of the capital city.

BOOMBOX BOXING CLUB’S

ANGELA JENNINGS & REGGIE SMITH

Women building community and boxing together while sick beats bump the stereo? Sign me up, please. Fitness has always been an essential part of life for Angela Jennings, and now she has turned her passion into a career. She met her current business partner Reggie Smith on Tinder back in 2013. Romantic sparks 6

didn’t fly, but the two ignited a friendship around their shared love for an active, healthy lifestyle that would ultimately lead to their partnership and decision to open Boombox Boxing Club. Smith, who has a background in martial arts, introduced Jennings to boxing – something she had never imagined herself doing. “Once I got into it, I really enjoyed it,” Jennings says. “In the midst of our friendship, we got to thinking about what we really wanted to do. We were both working in finance and were like, ‘Ugh, this isn’t what we’re going to do when we grow up.’” A friend who ran a boxing club in Brooklyn raised the idea of franchising in the District but the pair ultimately settled on their own concept, bridging a love for music, working out and community building. “In DC, there were not a lot of opportunities to do this type of workout in an exciting way – especially for women – where they wouldn’t be intimidated,” Jennings explains.

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

1221 Van St. SE, DC; www.boombox-boxing.com

Photo: Courtesy of The Ohs

While it took them over a year to settle on a location within the city, the two did a lot of research and exploring of neighborhoods. Capitol Riverfront appealed to them because of what Jennings describes as a structure of wellness within growth. While all are welcome, she says Boombox is especially geared toward the “girl on the grind.” They are striving to cultivate not just a place to work out, but a “holistic community experience with a nightclub-meets-fight club vibe that is all about you coming in, the lights going down, the music [turning] up, and connecting and feeling really good about yourself inside and out – mentally, physically and spiritually – when you’re there and when you leave.” Jennings just completed training for and competed in her first amateur fight, and says it was the hardest thing she’s ever done. “Getting through it made me feel like I can do anything. It made me feel stronger and more empowered.” And that’s what she and Smith hope Boombox does for the Capitol Riverfront community.

CORNERCOPIA MARKET’S

ALBERT & DANICA OH

If you’ve ever strolled through the little cluster of townhouses on the east side of Canal Park, then you must have passed the block’s sole retail space: a welcoming green corner market with the apropos moniker Cornercopia. The building has been in owners Albert and Danica Oh’s family since the late 80s. When they took over the space from Albert’s parents, their original thought was to make it a convenience store that also sold beer and wine.

Local beer and New Jersey-style pizza in a relaxed riverfront setting.

Eater DC's Best Brunch Washingtonian Magazine 25 Best Restaurants

iF Aud

ield

First Base Gate Home Plate Gate

Across the street from Nationals Stadium's first base gate and neighboring Audi Field.

1000 3rd St. SE, DC

Photo: Courtesy of The Yards

“One day, we happened to throw a couple of sandwiches on these tiny chalkboard menus, and lo and behold, that’s what we’re known for now,” Danica says. Indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better sandwich for a better price, but Cornercopia is still a bit of a well-kept secret. “We’re a little old-school,” she continues. “We don’t have a website. We don’t do printed materials. We kind of like the fact that people stumble across our store. I think that makes it seem a little more special to them.” Located on one of the few original blocks that remains, the Ohs have seen the neighborhood transform over the years and have been surprised by how quickly development has moved. “I was joking with my husband that we started out trying to be frou-frou, and now we’re not gourmet at all [compared to the new businesses],” she says. But that hasn’t impacted how they feel about the area. “We’ve stayed because we have amazing customers. A lot of them have been here as long as us, if not longer. We get to see them day in and day out, and they always share with us how much they enjoy the shop.” She describes their corner of Capitol Riverfront fondly. “We really love our neighbors. We’ve really gotten to know them. We’re all the kind of people who sit out on our stoops. It’s a little different.”

ICE CREAM JUBILEE’S

VICTORIA LAI

If ever there was a story that screams DC entrepreneur, it’s Victoria Lai’s. She moved to DC to work at her first dream job as a political appointee for the Department of Homeland Security under President Obama. By 2014, she had found her second dream job, also in DC, as an ice cream maker. “Ice Cream Jubilee was my first small business and first foray into food,” Lai says. “As much as [political work] was gratifying, there was a color and flavor to life that I missed.” She spent nights and weekends inventing new ice cream flavors (a little inside history: Lai says President Obama’s first job was at an ice cream shop). When she entered a DC Scoop competition at Union Market, she never dreamed that she’d win the “People’s Choice” award or that she’d ultimately set up shop in Capitol Riverfront. “I got a call from somebody asking about the Southeast waterfront. I had never been down there. I saw Yards Park, the green grass, the kids playing in the water and the boardwalk with the river, and it sold me immediately,” she says.

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

301 Water St. #105, SE, DC; www.icecreamjubilee.com

Photo: Rey Lopez

And it was a perfect fit – she sold ice cream immediately. “We opened on a Thursday, and the very first thing I did was double my staff because I wasn’t ready [for the sales]. I’m so fortunate a lot of the people I hired that first day are still with us.” Now with four locations and products on the menu at several stores and restaurants throughout the DMV, Lai says the original shop at Capitol Riverfront still has a special place in her heart. “My husband and I got married here on the boardwalk six months after the shop opened, and now my stepson helps out and takes real pride in showing his friends the business and the neighborhood.” But why would a businesswoman choose ice cream? It’s all about adding flavor to life. Whether sharing a pint with friends, making sundaes at home or walking to get a scoop with family, ice cream is inexplicably one of those things that Lai says “forever memories” are formed around. “It’s a privilege to think I might get to be a part of somebody’s forever memory and to know that when adults look back on their childhood, we might have helped make it happy. It’s just a beautiful way to live.”

RASA’S

SAHIL RAHMAN & RAHUL VINOD

It seems that DC has developed a habit of fostering young and second-generation foodies. Childhood friends Sahil Rahman and Rahul Vinod are now in their late twenties and enjoy the typical activities of many young urban dwellers like “dining in the vast DC restaurant scene, exercising, going to the movies, and exploring what else the city has to offer.” Oh, and starting a new restaurant themselves. The pair opened RASA in 2017 in Capitol Riverfront after a lifetime of introducing people to authentic Indian food.

1331 4TH STREET SE, SUITE 105 WASHINGTON, D.C. 202-888-4304 | INFO@COSMONAILLOUNGE.COM www.COSMONAILLOUNGE.com www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

1247 1st St. SE, DC; www.rasagrill.com

Photo: Courtesy of Arrisueño

“From elementary school to college to the corporate world, time and time again when we brought friends and colleagues to try Indian food, they would leave evangelized,” Vinod says. While they grew up in the restaurant industry – their fathers are business partners who’ve owned and operated Indian restaurants in the area for the past 28 years – the two realized that most Americans were unfamiliar with authentic Indian food. After a little research, they found this was because real Indian food can seem inaccessible: intimidating, expensive, and hard to navigate on menus. “Our goal with RASA is to combat those issue and share the cuisine and culture we love with the rest of the world,” Vinod explains. And they think Capitol Riverfront is the perfect place to do so. “We really love how diverse the neighborhood is – from the government workers to the millennials, the young families [to the] sports fans,” Vinod says. “We really get an all-encompassing crowd. It has allowed us to introduce so many unique and diverse people to the cuisine. We are even more excited for what’s to come. With all the upcoming development, it is sure to be the most exciting place in the entire city.” Vinod and Rahman, along with their staff, handcraft dishes in small batches and partner with friends, family and farmers to make the experience of Indian food akin to the one they grew up with. At the end of the day, food is the gateway to culture for the pair: “a connection to [our] roots, [and] an opportunity to nourish [our] bodies, explore new worlds and engage with smiling faces.”

STEADFAST SUPPLY’S

VIRGINIA ARRISUEÑO

Steadfast Supply first popped up in Capitol Riverfront in 2016 before moving into its brick-and-mortar space in the neighborhood the following year. Stocked with thoughtfully curated goods from independent brands and makers across the country, the shop’s interior is as inspiring as the stories behind its products. While it has become a go-to for anyone seeking original goods and gifts, what owner Virginia Arrisueño loves most about Steadfast’s new locale on Tingey Street is the way it fosters interaction between locals attending her workshops and classes and those exploring product offerings. She says 60 to 70 percent of locals attending a class haven’t taken one before. “[Attendees] get to enjoy the retail experience beforehand and know that our products are from small businesses across the U.S.,” she says. An artist herself, Arrisueño has hit pause on her well-known knit and fiber creations through DeNada Design in order to fully engage with Steadfast. The next exciting venture includes bringing select books to the store. “People keep asking me why I’ve stepped back from DeNada. Right now, I get so much out of doing Steadfast and being able to be inspired by other creatives’ stories. It’s a sense of empowerment to take a break from one thing and focus energy on another project. It takes a lot of courage.” Her investment in other creatives and the neighborhood predates Steadfast’s opening. She organized maker markets in Canal Park before many of the businesses and buildings that are fixtures today even existed. “We just love it here,” she says of Capitol Riverfront. 301 Tingey St. #120, SE, DC (entrance on Water Street); www.steadfastsupplydc.com

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

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KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORH There is always something new to discover in Capitol Riverfront, DC’s largest and most dynamic waterfront neighborhood. As new restaurants, stores, hotels, residences, and office spaces are opening every month across the neighborhood’s 500 acres, each of the seven subareas in Capitol Riverfront is becoming more vibrant. Celebrate the neighborhood’s landmarks and remember its history with this map as your guide!

North of M

Capitol Quarter – Lower Barracks Row

The Yards Ballpark District

Buzzard Point

Navy Yard

HOOD

North of M

Home to the majority of residential buildings in Capitol Riverfront, there are plenty of amenities to choose from inside and outside of an apartment or condo in the north of M subarea, as well as a variety of coffee shops, the popular Whole Foods grocery store, and the three-acre Canal Park.

Buzzard Point

The 20,000-seat Audi Field is leading the way in the redevelopment of this emerging subarea of Capitol Riverfront. A once-blighted industrial zone, Buzzard Point will include eight million square feet of development at buildout. There are currently 1,000 apartment and condo units under construction in Buzzard Point, which also features the only set of three emblematic smokestacks in the District.

Ballpark District

Maritime Plaza – Boathouse Row

Washington Nationals fans have frequented Capitol Riverfront since the ballpark opened in 2008, but new development is changing the game of dining and entertainment in this subarea, which features 20-plus restaurants and shops with more on the way. When complete the Ballpark District will boast three million square feet of development and an improved urban Half Street streetscape.

Capitol Quarter – Lower Barracks Row

Both affordable and market-rate single family townhomes cover about five blocks in this prominently residential subarea of Capitol Riverfront, which also contains several historic homes and the Capitol Quarter Community Center. The Brig beer garden and shops at Lower Barracks Row are located at the east end, along with Virginia Avenue Park.

Navy Yard

As the country’s longest continuously operating Navy facility in the country, the Washington Navy Yard serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S. Navy. Visit this subarea of Capitol Riverfront to check out the National Museum of the United States Navy, the flagship museum of the Navy located in the old Naval Gun Factory on the grounds.

The Yards

Situated on land that was formerly part of the Navy Yard Annex – an expansion of the Washington Navy Yard in response to production required for shipbuilding in World Wars I and II – this vibrant 42-acre community is leading the way in retail with hot new bars and restaurants, including a winery and a brewery. The Yards is located right on the Anacostia Riverfront, and features a marina and the world-renowned Yards Park.

Maritime Plaza – Boathouse Row

While most understand this subarea of Capitol Riverfront to consist primarily of office buildings with government contractors, there is a deep history across this stretch of river. The historic 11th Street bridge served essential transportation and communications purposes since Washington was founded as the nation’s capital city; and even guarded against British entry in 1814 and played an important role again in the Civil War. Today, the Anacostia Community Boathouse in this area features floating docks and is a hub for many local rowing and paddling organizations.

Wiseguy Pizza

RIVERFRONT RETAIL By Natalia Kolenko Capitol Riverfront has quickly become DC’s fastest growing neighborhood with numerous new restaurants, boutiques, and workout spots popping up every year. From an Australian-inspired coffee shop to a nail salon where guests can sip on wine during a pedicure, check out some of the businesses that have opened over the last year and the ones soon to open.

NEWLY OPENED Bluestone Lane As if coffee wasn’t enough to draw people into Bluestone Lane, their Australian-inspired menu and décor is certainly worth a peek. The idea for Bluestone Lane came to owner Nick Stone – a native of Melbourne, Australia – while he was in New York and missing the quality coffee of his home town. “In Australia, if you went to a gas station or our version of a 7-Eleven and wanted a coffee, you could get a really high-quality latte in two minutes,” says Danielle Andrews, general manager for Bluestone Lane’s Capitol Riverfront location. “There were a lot of Italian immigrants in Australia after the war and they kind of introduced [Australians] to espresso and it became a way of life for them.” With a unique menu offering wellness drinks, coldpressed juices, and healthy fare in addition to coffee, patrons can enjoy breakfast and lunch in a modern yet earthy space. As for Australian specialties, Andrews recommends the flat white or her favorite, the Aussie Ice Latte: “two shots of espresso with three scoops of vanilla bean ice cream and any milk of your choice.” Andrews also recommends enjoying your drink Australian 14

style. “Australian coffee is an experience,” Andrews says. “You come in, you sit down, and you prepare for your day before you go out for work or before you go surfing for the day. Bluestone allows you to have that feeling here in America.” 99 M St. SE, DC; www.bluestonelane.com

Él Bebe While some restaurants were born out of a family’s rich history or in hopes of perfecting a certain cuisine, Él Bebe – Spanish for “he drinks” – came from Metropolitan Hospitality Group’s (MHG) love of tacos and tequila. “When we collaborated with our team on what concept to do, everyone wanted to create a kickass place with great food and drinks where they could unwind,” MHG President Matthew Carlin says. With that in mind, MHG designed Él Bebe’s menu around Mexican street fare using bold, fresh, authentic flavors. “Our culinary team of Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

Photo: Dan Silverman

Photo: Courtesy Modern Nail Bar

Photo: Deb Linsey

Photo: Courtesy of Bluestone Lane

Él Bebe

Mike Huff, Javier Loayza and Vince Spinoso have created a menu which includes recipes that have been in their families for generations as well as some current flavor profiles,” Carlin says. “And our beverage director Paul Williams has put his twist on the classics in addition to some fun new ideas.”

patio where if you want to do a bridal party or birthday party or a group get-together, we have a space where you can be in your own little section.” 140 L St. SE, DC; www.modernnailbar.com

99 M St. Ste. 120, SE, DC; www.el-bebe.com

Wiseguy Pizza Modern Nail Bar Modern Nail Bar is no ordinary nail salon. Looking to elevate the typical experience, owner Kristi Nguyen wanted a bar-like salon that would be a fun hangout for friends, where they could sip on wine while getting their nails done. “Instead of your traditional manicure stations, you sit at the mani stations which are designed similar to a bar setting,” Nguyen says. “And we offer complimentary wine.” The second of three locations throughout the DC/Northern Virginia area, Modern Nail Bar offers over 1,000 shades, full service nail treatments and spa pedicures. But the Capitol Riverfront location also has an additional unique feature. “Besides the bar theme, [this] location also offers an outdoor

Wiseguy Pizza owner Nuri Erol recently brought his killer New York-style pizza to the Capitol Riverfront area, just one of four locations spread across the DC area. “I think we’ve got one of the best locations with the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. You have Nationals Park and it’s close to the soccer stadium [Audi Field] and there are a lot of residents and families around,” Erol says. Serving old-school style pizza alongside unique creations like Paneer Tikka and Korean Chicken pizza, the Capitol Riverfront locale will also soon be serving Altani gelato. “I have two chefs coming from Italy,” Erol says, “so we’re going to start playing around with the gelato and hope to start serving it the first week of April.” 202 M St. SE, DC; www.wiseguypizza.com

WE TAKE THIS PIZZA-MAKING THING SERIOUSLY. 202 M ST SE wiseguypizza.com

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

Dacha Beer Garden

Hatoba

Whole Foods Market The Whole Foods Market on New Jersey Avenue, SE opened its doors just last October, making it the first Whole Foods in the Southeast DC area. Aside from being the only Whole Foods in the area, this location is also offering features unique to this particular DC store, such as a restaurant run by former Top Chef contestant Kwame Onwuachi. “Chef Kwame, a DC celebrity chef, opened up a venue here in the store that’s called Philly Wing Fry with dry-aged cheesesteaks, wings and waffle fries,” says Store Team Leader Nick DiMarco. Other highlights of the store include over 100 local supplier products, a build-your-own-avocadotoast station, and the self-serve SoCap Wine Bar where patrons can sit down for a drink or “sip and shop.” 101 H St. SE, DC; www.wholefoodsmarket.com

WHAT’S COMING Dacha Beer Garden Dacha Beer Garden is set to open its second location next month and will include a fullservice restaurant, bar, lounge and outdoor beer garden. “This project is an exciting opportunity for us to further showcase our best ideas and bring our experiences of Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, and Mexico City to an awesome neighborhood in the nation’s capital,” says co-owner Dmitri Chekaldin. A bigger and more ambitious project than their Shaw location, owners Chekaldin and Ilya Alter hope the new Dacha location is a place for friends to meet up or Nats fans to stop by before a game, especially as the new location is steps away from the First Base gate. 16

Aside from the restaurant run by executive chef Taylor Burlingame, Dacha’s new location will also feature 26 labels on draft and selections from exclusive partnerships with Weihenstephan and local brewers such as DC Brau, Right Proper, and ANXO. 79 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.dachadc.com

Hatoba Daikaya Group – the restauranteurs who brought DC Daikaya, Haikan, and Bantam King – will open their third Sapporo-style ramen shop, Hatoba, in late spring. Keeping up with tradition, Hatoba will also feature Daikaya Group’s custom-made ramen noodles, made by Nishiyama Seimen Company in Sapporo, Japan. Hatoba (which means “dock”) will open in the Boilermaker Shops at The Yards and will offer a unique selection of ramen that can’t be found at any of Daikaya Group’s other locations, such as chilled ramen menu items. As for the design of the restaurant, Senior Design Director at Edit Lab at Streetsense Brian Miller joined partners Daisuke Utagawa, Chef Katsuya Fukushima and Yama Jewayni in Japan to get inspiration for Hatoba. “Kappabashi is one of our favorite streets in Japan, with hundreds of specialist shops supplying restaurant equipment from the most common pair of chopsticks to the most specialist cooking implements,” Miller says of one of the inspirations for Hatoba. “Since we’re near Nationals Park, Hatoba also incorporates an homage to our Sapporo home team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.” 300 Tingey St. #170, SE, DC; www.fb.com/hatoba.dc

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

Photo: Albert Ting

Photo: www.capitolriverfront.org

Photo: Bonnie Trein

Whole Foods Market

CONTEMPORARY + CHIC

140 L St SE | 202.863.2200 www.modernnailbarnavyyard.com

Maxwell Park Drawn to a similar demographic and vibe found in Maxwell Park’s home neighborhood of Shaw, founder and sommelier Brent Kroll knew Capitol Riverfront would be the second location for his wine after spending several evenings soaking up the local scene near the waterfront. Hoping to open this summer, Kroll and partners Niki Lang and Daniel Runnerstrom will launch Maxwell Park’s new location in the same space as DC chef Michael Lee Rafidi’s first solo restaurant Albi (Arabic for “my heart”) for a joint culinary experience. “I think it’s going to be a much more intense menu [than Maxwell’s first location]. We’re also sharing a space so [Rafidi] can actually have his kitchen provide help to me, where right now my kitchen is the size of a walkin closet.” In addition, where the Shaw Maxwell’s menu has a monthly theme, the new Maxwell will likely have a “specials of the day” wine sheet that consistently rotates, according to Kroll. 1346 5th St. SE, DC; www.maxwellparkdc.com

Shilling Canning Company Despite what the name would suggest, Shilling Canning Company is not a company that cans food. But, it is inspired by one. Influenced by his great uncle’s Hampstead, Maryland-based canning business, Baltimore native chef Reid Shilling was drawn to Capitol Riverfront for his restaurant that he aims to open this spring. “I think the area is just great [what with] the forecasted population for down here, the neighborhood that currently exists and obviously it’s on the water,” says Shilling. The seasonally-rotating menu will focus on 18

Mid-Atlantic cuisine and include highlights like pizza, homemade bread and a raw bar. Cocktails and wine will also rotate with the seasons. In addition, the restaurant will use some herbs and produce grown in a garden located near the patio. 1331 4th St. SE, DC; www.shillingcanning.com

Walters Sports Bar Fans of Walters who were sad to see the sports bar shut down a year ago, fear not: Walters Sports Bar is set to reopen in a new location across from Nationals Park by March 28, the day of the home-opener game against the New York Mets. Owner Jeremy Gifford started the Walters rebuild when JBG Smith approached him looking for a tenant with local roots. Gifford ads the new Walters will be bigger and better than ever. “One of the challenges we had at the location we were formally in was that we didn’t have a legitimate kitchen and so our food was really lacking. Now we have a full, proper kitchen,” Gifford says. “We’re also about six times larger.” Looking to be recognized as a “good neighborhood restaurant” as opposed to just a sports bar, the menu will feature burgers and a self-pour beer station that serves local, craft beer. “Sports is not the forefront of our concept,” Gifford says. “We really just want to be a great neighborhood restaurant that also happens to have a bunch of TVs and is passionate about sports.” 1221 Van St. SE, DC; www.fb.com/walterssportsbardc

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

Photo: Courtesy of Walters

Photo: Courtesy of Shilling

Photo: Marissa Bialecki

Maxwell Park

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

WHAT’S HERE IN FITNESS Whether you’re a health nut looking to change up your routine or a proud couch potato who likes the occasional boxing class, Capitol Riverfront has the new workout locale for you. Check out these spots for the best new places to break a sweat, feel the burn and restore yourself.

BREAK A SWEAT

FEEL THE BURN

RESTORE

BOOMBOX Boxing Club Coming spring 2019 1221 Van St. Ste. 140, SE, DC www.boombox-boxing.com

Barre3 1243 1st St. SE, DC www.barre3.com

Aura Spa 1212 4th St. SE, DC www.auraspa.net

Solidcore 1245 1st St. SE, DC www.solidcore.co

Rose Physical Therapy Group 1015 Half St. SE, DC www.rosept.com

Orangetheory Fitness 82 I St. SE, DC www.orangetheoryfitness.com VIDA Fitness 1212 4th St. #170, SE, DC www.vidafitness.com

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

Capitol Hill/Navy Yard in the Capitol Riverfront

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Explore The Endless Travel Possibilities, ALONG THE HORIZON

COMMUNITY EVENTS Friday Night Concerts

FRESHFARM Farmers Market Sundays, Canal Park May 5 – September 29

Fridays in Yards Park from 7-9 p.m. Beer & wine available onsite (must be 21-plus, no outside alcohol)

June 7................................................Pebble to Pearl June 14......................................Shane Gamble Band June 21............................................ Driven To Clarity June 28.....Justin Trawick + Navy Band Country Current July 5..................................................... Party Like Its July 12........................................................Jah Works July 19...................................... The 19th Street Band July 26.....................................Jarreau Williams Band August 2.................................................... 7 Deadlies August 9..................................................... Aztec Sun August 16..................................................Brent & Co August 23..................................................... La Unica August 30................................Trailer Grass Orchestra September 6...............................................Rain date

Outdoor Movie Series

Daily, Yards Park & Canal Park June 3 – September 1

Discovery Series with Anacostia Watershed Society

Thursdays in Canal Park at sundown June 13...........................................Crazy Rich Asians June 20................Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse June 27........................................The Little Mermaid July 4.....................................................................Off July 11.................................................... The Goonies July 18............................... Ralph Breaks the Internet July 25.........................................................Apollo 13 August 1....................Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom August 8............................... Guardians of the Galaxy August 15...............................................Incredibles 2 August 22..................................Bohemian Rhapsody 22

Fitness at the Front

Boat tours from Diamond Teague Park on May 9, June 1, August 15, & September 5. Visit anacostiaws.org to view times & register.

Kids in Canal

Wednesdays, Canal Park June 12 – August 28

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

INDEX Index

Shopping & Services

Fairgrounds

Top of the Yard

Uhaul

Five Guys

Walters Sports Bar

Ann’s Beauty Supply

Unleashed

Gordon Biersch

Whaley’s

Aura Spa

Wagtime Too

Hatoba*

Willie’s Brew & Que

Banfield Pet Hospital

Wells Cleaners

Ice Cream Jubilee

Wiseguy Pizza

Bang Salon

Wells Fargo

Kruba Thai

Bank of America

Whole Foods

Las Placitas

Center for Physical Therapy

Willow

Local Pizzaiolo*

Courtyard by Marriott

Wrenn’s Barber Shop

Lot 38 Espresso

Hampton Inn & Suites

Maxwell Park

Homewood Suites

Mission

Residence Inn Thompson D.C.*

Albi

Nando’s Peri-Peri Morini Piccolo Nicoletta Pizzeria Nando’s Peri-Peri

All-Purpose Pizzeria

Oath Pizza

Al’s Delicatessan

Osteria Morini

Bardo

Peet’s Coffee

Audi Field

Bethesda Bagels

Philz Coffee

Ballpark Boathouse

Bluejacket Brewery

Potbelly

Barre3

Bluestone Lane

Rasa

Bonchon Chicken

Roti

BOOMBOX Boxing Club

Buffalo Wild Wings

Scarlet Oak

Cava

Shake Shack

Diamond Teague Park

Chipotle

Shilling Canning Co.*

Orangetheory

Chloe

Slipstream

Nationals Park

Chop’t

Starbucks

Solidcore

Circa

Subway

The Yards Marina

Cornercopia

Subway Café

Dacha*

Sweetgreen

Trapeze School New York

Declaration

Taco City

RCT Endodontics

District Winery

TaKorean

Somewhere*

Dominos

The Big Stick

Splash Car Wash

Due South

The Brig

Sprint

Due South Dockside

The Juice Laundry

Steadfast Supply

El Bebe

The Salt Line

Chase Bank Conte’s Bike Shop Cosmopolitan Nail Lounge CVS District Dogs Dogma Day Care Dryy* Fuller’s Barber Shop GNC Harris Teeter Harry’s Reserve Lululemon Modern Nail Bar Nationals Team Store Navy Nails & Spa Navy Yard Dental Ovation Eye Institute Pacers Running Rose Physical Therapy

Food & Drink Agua 301

Capitol South Metro Riverfront Review 2019

Hospitality

Recreation & Entertainment

Canal Park

Up Top Acres U.S. Navy Museum Vida Fitness Yards Park *opening soon | www.capitolriverfront.org

11TH ST SE

Suntrust

Capitol South Metro Capitol South Metro

M ST

37 17

N ST

31 10

HALF ST SW

Q ST SW

9 3

23 18 42 43 12 14

6.26.29

TINGEY ST

6 7 9

30 52

18 20 18.33 1 15.35.24 15 53 11 4 61.36.27.7 35 51

E SE

VAN ST SE

25 49

10 NJ AV

2 8.15

IA A VE

5 L ST

YLV AN

8TH ST SE

695

7TH ST SE

Eastern Market Metro

4TH ST SE

3RD ST SE

1ST ST SE

K ST

2ND ST SE

HALF ST SE

SOUTH CAPITOL ST

PEN

13.56.46

8 21.28.19 1.60.38

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD

ANACOSTIA RIVER

295

@capitolrvrfront @capitolriverfront @capitolriverfront www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

capitolriverfront.org

CapRiv

CAPITOL SPECTACLES

TO BEHOLD ON THE RIVERFRONT By Trent Johnson

INSTAWORTHY ART Capitol Riverfront is delightfully full of art. Whether you’re walking through Yards and Canal Parks or taking in a game at Audi Field or Nats Park, art seems to be present everywhere in the neighborhood. Not only are there visually stunning spectacles to behold, there are also a number of sculptures worth posing with, or in front of, throughout the neighborhood. Below are some of the most intricate works to take in and add to your various social media feeds.

Pedestrian Bridge

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

You can’t traverse Capitol Riverfront without coming across the famed pedestrian bridge. The long white structure was completed in 2010, serving as an unmistakable piece of functional art. Costing $3 million and consisting of 190 tons of steel, the 200foot bridge was a team effort between designers from Robert Silman Associates and architects from M. Paul Friedberg and Partners. Notable for its unique geometrical features, the structure promptly balances stunning aesthetics with necessary stability. 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.yardsparkdc.org

LIGHT TOWER

Light Tower

The other famed feature of the Yards Park walkway is the 60-foot Light Tower. The tall and narrow structure can be found at the west end of the boardwalk, and is LED-illuminated on all three sides. The piece was designed by James Carpenter Design Associates. For an Instagram shot, you’re going to want to step back a bit to capture the entire scope of this magnificent gathering place. 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.yardsparkdc.org

Canal Park waterline sculptures

CANAL PARK WATERLINE SCULPTURES

Constructed in 2012, these three stainless steel sculptures are represented on each of the three blocks of Canal Park. The spontaneous direction of each physical swirl represents the free-flowing water once running through the canal. Each is approximately 9’x16’x10’ and the silver is especially dazzling in the sunlight. Because of the radical appearance, any pose will do in front of these spherical wonders. 200 M St. SE, DC; www.canalparkdc.org Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

WESTHALF.COM

Shidahiku

SHIDAHIKU

Just north of the luxurious Agora at The Collective stands the hypnotizing Shidahiku. With wave-like kinetic movements, this sculpture by Anthony Howe represents a wind-powered sculpture that moves with a trippy patience. The contains 18 balanced wings all rotating around a circular axle. Though a still photo of the piece would likely collect plenty of hearts and likes, an Instagram story is recommended to capture the full effect of this beautiful work. 800 New Jersey Ave. SE, DC

FLASH POINT AT PEPCO SUBSTATION

Flash Point at Pepco Substation

Designed by David and Eli Hess, the Flash Point sculpture at the Pepco Station represents a wondrous union of science and art. Paying homage to Nikola Tesla and his numerous experiments involving high-voltage electricity, the piece includes two LED light fixtures in the hovering bolts, which creates flashes at night. The theme also ties in the pieceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backdrop, as electricity represents an enormous importance for the burgeoning region. According to the Hess website, the piece is intended to provide a spark for the neighborhood. Buzzard Point Park in SE, DC

The Nats Park Curveball

THE NATS PARK CURVEBALL

Exactly 30 stainless-steel spheres, each about seven feet in diameter, all hang from two parking decks near Nats Park. The floating sculptures all have different placement, intended to show the evolution of a fast, sinking pitch flying at ballpark visitors, followed by the trajectory of an ascending hit from the western deck. During the day, the spheres reflect the vibrant energy of the city, while the nightlife is reflected in the evenings. The piece was put together by Thomas Sayre and commissioned by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities. With the size and scope of the sculpture, a wide angle shot is recommended for your social feeds. 1500 S Capitol St. SE, DC; www.thomassayre.com/curveball

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES Stopping and snapping a picture of art is fun, but the area also features various activities involving different visuals. Below are three of the best ways to actively enjoy the art in Capitol Riverfront.

Featuring life-sized fixtures of transportation such as tires, propellers, train supports, and other various modes of getting around, this mobile museum is a fun jaunt for history buffs. You don’t have to be a lover of the past to walk through the tree-shaded tour and engage with all the different ways people used to, and still, travel. 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/go/walkingmuseum-of-transportation

Walking Museum of Transportation

WALKING MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION

Behind These Walls

BEHIND THESE WALLS

The walk along the 11th and M Street perimeter features a total of 11 9’ by 7’ historical photos that highlight the rich history of the Washington Navy Yard. Behind These Walls is presented by a multiyear partnership between the Capitol Riverfront BID, Naval Support Activity Washington, and Naval History and Heritage Command with support from several other groups. The selected photographs and captions highlight moments of both national and local importance, including the area’s role in the Civil War, military testing for innovation, and community engagement. Along 11th and M Streets in SE, DC

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

Then and Now

CAPITOL RIVERFRONT: THEN AND NOW

To tell the full story of the booming 500-acre neighborhood, the Capitol Riverfront BID teamed up with Jacqueline Dupree—founder, photographer, and content-creator of popular website JDLand. com—who has been documenting the southeast portion of DC’s fastest growing neighborhood since 2000. The exhibit, which is displayed in both parks, brings to light the changes that have been made in this vibrant, urban waterfront community. 200 M St. SE and 355 Water St. SE, DC

GAME DAY FARE

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE PRE & POSTGAME EXPERIENCE By Travis Mitchell

QUICK & EASY THE BIG STICK Sausages, burgers, and sandwiches are the draw at this sports pub. Satisfy hunger in true DC style with the Half Street half smoke or a Maryland crab cake sandwich. The bar offers a good amount of draft and canned craft beers from DC and around the world, in addition to wine and cocktails. 20 M St. SE, DC; www.thebigstick.com

BONCHON Orders of Korean-style fried chicken come in all shapes and sizes here, making it wellsuited to a game day meal with friends. Heat 30

Photo: Courtesy of Bonchon

Capitol Riverfront caters to some of the city’s most passionate sports fans with the Washington Nationals and D.C. United playing home games just blocks apart. That’s a lot of hungry and thirsty people to satiate before and after the game. Fortunately, the options have grown considerably in the past few years, with plenty of bars and restaurants opening for business. Whether you are looking for a sit-down meal from an acclaimed chef, a quick bite, a locally made beer, or a strong cocktail, there’s a spot to match your culinary mood all within a short walk of both stadiums.

seekers shouldn’t miss the blazingly spicy drumsticks, wings or strips. Sides of rice and pickled radish are there to tame the flames. The traditional soy garlic sauce is addictive as well – but without the tears. Chicken is certainly the signature, but the menu doesn’t stop there. “We also offer traditional Korean dishes along with Asian fusion items for those looking for a more adventurous time,” general manager Jeff Chang says. “I’d wash it all down with an ice-cold beer from a local brewery like Hellbender or DC Brau.” Happy hour is offered two hours before game time until the start for both baseball and soccer. The restaurant also offers a $13 game day pack filled with your choice of fried chicken, side, bottled beverage and box of Cracker Jacks to go. 1015 Half St. SE, DC; www.bonchon.com Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

2019

OPENING DAY! Lloyd Dobler Effect

Thursday, March 28 Music @ 10:30 | Game @ 1:05

4/12 4/26 5/17 5/24

Pebble to Pearl Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 Lovely Rita Uncle Jesse

6/14 Practically Einstein AN

PRODUCTION

6/21 Dr. FU 7/5 7 Deadlies 7/26 Justin Trawick & The Common Good 8/16 As If 8/30 Hand Painted Swinger 9/13 Driven to Clarity 9/27 Turtle Recall

Due South’s Shoofly Punch

DUE SOUTH

PHILLY WING FRY Located inside Whole Foods, this counter from Top Chef star Kwame Onwuachi takes game day food to another level. Fill up on decadent, dry-aged beef cheesesteak, confit chicken wings and berbere-spiced waffle fries. Vegetarians can dig into a spicy mushroom sandwich with herbed lebne, smoked provolone and pickled Fresno chilis. 101 H St. SE, DC; www.phillywingfry.com

TAKOREAN This fast-casual Korean eatery serves buildyour-own tacos and bowls with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients. Proteins like sweet chili-marinated chicken, bulgogi steak and hoisin tofu can be topped with variety of slaws, crunchy toppings and sauces. A selection of local beers is available as well. 1212 4th St. SE, DC; www.takorean.com

Laidback Southern vibes course through this riverfront eatery. Fortify with a bourbon Shoofly Punch with ginger liqueur, mint, orange bitters and ginger beer or a pour of the bar’s hand-selected Knob Creek bourbon. Food includes comforting favorites like shrimp and grits, buttermilk fried chicken, and a bacon pimento cheeseburger. 301 Water St. SE, DC; www.duesouthdc.com

GORDON BIERSCH This spacious pub has plenty of room to meet up before or after a game, including outdoor seating. Beers are brewed in everything from German styles like pilsners and hefeweizens to hoppy American ales. 100 M St. SE, DC; www.gordonbiersch.com

MISSION Mission’s Capitol Riverfront location includes 20 big-screen TVs, a dining room and four bars – including a balcony. That means low wait times for drinks as well as lots of room to gather. “We are always happy to reserve space for groups going to a game or just trying to celebrate,” general manager Fritz Brogan says. Happy hour is available daily, including game days. Weekends include late-night discounts from 10 p.m. to close along with DJs and live music. Earlier in the day, pre-game crowds can take advantage of the bottomless brunch spread featuring items like guacamole, beer and margaritas. “We believe it’s more fun to eat in a bar than drink in a restaurant.” 1221 Van St. SE, DC; www.missionnavyyard.com

BAR VIBES WILLIE’S BREW & QUE BLUEJACKET BREWERY Nats fans pack this homegrown brewery during home games, sipping pints from the bar’s extensive tap list. Choose from a rotating selection of more than 20 beers – including several cask selections – and fill up on food ranging from pretzels and fries to a half rotisserie chicken or double-patty burger. 300 Tingey St. SE, DC; www.bluejacketdc.com

Grab a pile of napkins and settle in with a platter of smoked meats and pint of beer from Willie’s. There are also several burgers and sandwiches to pick from, along with items like mahi mahi tacos and supersized nachos. 300 Tingey St. SE, DC; www.williessportsbardc.com

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

RELAX & STAY AWHILE The Capitol Riverfront location of this popular pizzeria offers riverfront and rooftop views with a side of Italian-inspired dishes – along with beer, wine, and cocktails, including a couple of frozen options. It’s also convenient for baseball and soccer fans alike. “We are a two-minute walk from the first base gate of Nationals Park and one of the closest establishments to Audi Field,” general manager Michelle Stewart says. “It’s like finding a hidden gem in the city,” she says of game day dining. All-Purpose’s current menu includes both a food and drink special to benefit charity. The first is a pizza created in partnership with D.C. United’s Screaming Eagles fan group; the “L’aquila” (eagle in Italian) pie is topped with tomato, fennel sausage, basil and stracciatella. A dollar from each pizza sold will be donated to Earth Conservation Corps. There’s also the DC Brau Full Count, brewed exclusively for the restaurant with $1 from each sale benefitting local nonprofit DC SCORES. The restaurant will open at 11 a.m. for all 1 p.m. midweek baseball games. Happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m., and Steward says crowds can actually be lighter during games. 79 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.allpurposedc.com

Photo: Courtesy of All-Purpose Pizzeria

ALL-PURPOSE

kitchen brings more of an upscale approach to its menu. Two of the most-ordered snacks include the bulgogi beef lettuce wraps and the tuna poke nachos. There’s also happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The laidback vibe is also great for anyone who wants a night out without buying a ticket to the stadium. “Even if you’re watching the game on TV, you can enjoy it,” Carlin says. “It’s not a wild place.” 99 M St. SE, DC www.circabistros.com

CHLOE

DECLARATION

Chef Haidar Karoum’s lively dining room transports guests with flavors of the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and more. Most dishes come as small plates, so sharing with the table is encouraged. Larger entrees can be split as well, such as the spice-roasted chicken or the crispy whole fish. 1331 4th St. SE, DC; www.restaurantchloe.com

The menu here is full of Italian and American comforts like burrata, fried meatballs, and crispy calamari. Signature pizzas are named for America’s forefathers, from Thomas Jefferson to New Jersey’s John Witherspoon. 1237 1st St. SE, DC; www.declarationrestaurant.com

CIRCA Known for its wide-ranging American bistro menu, CIRCA is a crowd-pleasing option for a meal or round of drinks. “It’s a place you can come a couple times a week for a couple different reasons,” says Matt Carlin, president of Metropolitan Hospitality Group, which operates CIRCA. Unlike a sports bar, CIRCA’s www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

THE SALT LINE This seafood spot takes its cues from New England coastal eateries. Chef Kyle Bailey’s fresh Maine lobster roll, stuffed clams, and satisfying smash burger make stadium food an afterthought. Guests can also hang with a cocktail or glass of wine and slurp oysters from the restaurant’s raw bar. 79 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.thesaltline.com

D.C. United

Washington Nationals

3/16 at 8 p.m. vs. Real Salt Lake

3/28, 3/30-3/31 vs. New York Mets

4/6 at 3 p.m. vs. Los Angeles FC

4/2-4/3 vs. Philadelphia Phillies

4/9 at 8 p.m. vs. Montreal Impact

4/12-4/14 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

4/21 at 4 p.m. vs. New York City FC

4/16-4/18 vs. San Francisco Giants

5/4 at 8 p.m. vs. Columbus Crew

4/26-4/28 vs. San Diego Padres

5/12 at 7 p.m. vs. Sporting Kansas City

4/29-5/2 vs. St. Louis Cardinals

5/29 at 8 p.m. vs. Chicago Fire

5/14-5/16 vs. New York Mets

6/1 at 8 p.m. vs. San Jose Earthquakes

5/17-5/19 vs. Chicago Cubs

6/26 at 8 p.m. vs. Orlando City SC

5/24-5/27 vs. Miami Marlins

6/29 at 8 p.m. vs. Toronto FC

6/4-6/5 vs. Chicago White Sox

7/12 at 7 p.m. vs. New England Revolution

6/13- 6/16 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

8/4 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Philadelphia Union

6/17- 6/20 vs. Philadelphia Phillies

8/11 at 7:30 p.m. vs. LA Galaxy

6/21- 6/23 vs. Atlanta Braves

8/21 at 8 p.m. vs. New York Red Bulls

7/2-7/4 vs. Miami Marlins

9/22 at 8 p.m. vs. Seattle Sounders FC

7/5- 7/7 vs. Kansas City Royals

10/6 at 4 p.m. vs. FC Cincinnati

7/22- 7/25 vs. Colorado Rockies 7/26- 7/28 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Go to www.dcunited.com and www.mlb.com/nationals for complete 2019 schedules and lists of stadium activities.

7/29- 7/31 vs. Atlanta Braves 8/12-8/14 vs. Cincinnati Reds 8/16-8/18 vs. Milwaukee Brewers 8/27-8/28 vs. Baltimore Orioles 8/30- 9/1 vs. Miami Marlins 9/2-9/4 vs. New York Mets 9/13- 9/15 vs. Atlanta Braves 9/23-9/26 vs. Philadelphia Phillies 9/27-9/29 vs. Cleveland Indians

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

VISIT THESE LOCATIONS

FOR AN ICE-COLD HEINEKEN THE BIG STICK

AGUA 301

CIRCA

MISSION

SCARLET OAK

DECLARATION

WILLIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BREW & QUE

A Residential Hotbed Capitol Riverfront Sees Continued Growth, More Living Spaces By Keith Loria

t wasn’t too long ago when people visited Capitol Riverfront but didn’t necessarily think of it as a place to live. As the area has undergone a tremendous residential development transformation, it is now seen as one of the trendiest places to live in DC.

A Place to Call Home Now Capitol Riverfront is home to a wide range of living options from single-family rowhouses at the core to high-rises currently being built and quickly filled along the perimeter, offering a variety of residential choices to people based on lifestyle and income. Everything that someone could want from a neighborhood – retail, restaurants, entertainment, recreation, sports – is right at the fingertips of those who live there. WC Smith is considered one of the “early adopters” of the neighborhood, starting construction of its first building in 2002 and moving its offices there in 2003. It later identified other opportunities to establish more roots in the community including the residential development of The Collective, luxury apartment homes with three distinct lifestyle options as well as retail offerings (Whole Foods), and the creation of recreational open spaces (Canal Park and a dog park that’s located at the northern end of the neighborhood). The Collective development, which includes the Agora (offering a mix of 334 studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments) and Park Chelsea (with 442 studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments), serves 38

as a gateway to Capitol Hill, tying the two communities together. Holli Beckman, vice president of marketing and leasing operations for WC Smith, says most people today want to live in a walkable, transit-served neighborhood – and Capitol Riverfront provides precisely that. “You can walk five minutes in any direction and find grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment options, and have transportation to give you access to the rest of the city,” she explains. “Whether you’re a foodie, sports fanatic, music lover, or fitness lover, Capitol Riverfront offers daily opportunities for you to get involved. You can choose how busy or laidback you want to be [with] Friday night concerts, farmers markets, winery tours, movies in the park, baseball, soccer, ice skating in the winter, and free daily fitness classes in the summer.” Combine that with the convenience of multiple transportation options, and it’s easy to see why people choose to make Capitol Riverfront their home. Jill Fredrick, director of marketing at Brookfield Properties, says The Yards embodies modern urban waterfront living and supports a vibrant, close-knit community alongside specialty retail and dining. “With the Capitol Riverfront District growing at an unprecedented pace, The Yards offers a distinct living experience for everyone from young adults to growing families across a variety of luxury and flexible living spaces,” Frederick continues. “Joining The Yards’ expanding residential lineup are luxury, for-sale condominiums at The Bower and Bauhausinspired loft apartments at Guild, which will begin leasing in spring 2019.” Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

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www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

The Condo Experience Capitol Riverfront has grown as an established rental market over the past five to seven years as more and more retail and office buildings have opened in the neighborhood. In fact, the neighborhood welcomed its 10,000th resident at the beginning of this year with 18 apartment buildings now open and another six apartment buildings delivering by end of 2019. This stable rental market has changed into pent-up demand for renters who want to stay in the area but are now ready to purchase a home. Urban Pace, a Mid-Atlantic development real estate service company, has kept a close eye on Capitol Riverfront and sees that the evolving neighborhood is ripe for condo development. The company has been engaged to bring its sales and marketing strategies to eNvy, a new 127-unit condominium community overlooking Nationals Park with condos available for purchase later this year. “We are excited to have the opportunity to work on one of the most high-profile buildings in the neighborhood, as eNvy is the only for-sale building with views directly into Nats Park,” says Clint Mann, president of Urban Pace. “We believe in the continued success of the neighborhood and look forward to many more projects there.” By the end of this year, there will be a total of seven condominium buildings to chose from in Capitol Riverfront.

The Evolution Many people point to the opening of Nationals Park in 2008 as the beginning of the residential transformation, but in truth, the groundwork for all the changes began well before that. “The stadium was a strong catalyst, no doubt,” Beckman says. “But as far back as 2001 when the federal government announced DOT was moving its headquarters to the area, things were starting to change. WC Smith began building the Federal Gateway [on] New Jersey Avenue, our present headquarters, in 2002. The Anacostia Riverfront was chosen as the site of the stadium in 2005, and that certainly spurred other development and interest in the area. But the underlying activity that led to Capitol Riverfront as we know it 40

today has been brewing for almost 20 years.” The Yards’ 2007 groundbreaking spearheaded the development of Capitol Riverfront, rooted in a strong belief from Forest City (now Brookfield Properties) that accessibility to the waterfront had tremendous potential to activate the Southeast quadrant. “With this proximity, we have provided the neighborhood and DC-at-large with unique amenities and creative ways to engage with the city through our seasonal event series,” Fredrick says. “For example, every holiday season we partner with different globally acclaimed artists to bring life-size art installations to our annual Light Yards, utilizing interactive art to create an unforgettable winter experience.” The development of new open space for recreational uses in Capitol Riverfront – including the construction of 10 acres of parks – led to a sense of place, community, and identity and laid the foundation for the successful mixed-use activation of the neighborhood, creating the high residential demand and leading others to quickly follow. RCP Development Co.’s principal and Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

founder Steve Etminani has been working in the neighborhood for six years codeveloping along with Greystar a 13-story, 227-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail at 82 Eye St. The development company also partnered with Crescent Communities on the recently completed first phase of the 13-story Novel South Capitol, a mixed-use project on Eye Street. When fully done, the space will consist of 538 apartment units and 7,000 square feet of retail. “It’s unique because it’s a brand-new neighborhood in the middle of a very old, mature city,” Etminani says. “The amenities around are a huge draw. The stadium and the waterfront are the obvious ones; having the Metro there has [turned it] into the popular place that it is right now.”

More Than Meets The Eye In developing neighborhoods today, there is a growing emphasis on utilizing communal space to create experiences for residents and visitors alike to interact and relax outside of the

workspace. There is more space to be active in Capitol Riverfront with extended running paths, larger kayaking areas, and the summer fitness series – the opportunities to be outside are endless. Yards West, phase two of The Yards, is expanding the neighborhood’s core public outdoor amenities and connectivity with new green space, an expanded marina, pedestrianoriented walkways and a Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station plaza experience. “From celebrating the New Year at kidfriendly Noon Yards to the adult-friendly winter wonderland at Ice Yards, residents of all ages can take advantage of the waterfront scenery and communal green space of Yards Park,” Fredrick says. “This summer, residents can jam out at the Capitol Riverfront signature summer concert series and toast the warm weather with pink bubbly at one of The Yards’ most Instagrammable festival events of the summer season: Rosé All Day.” Additionally, DC’s first Thompson Hotel is slated to open in Yards West with a new ground-floor eatery by renowned New York restaurateur Danny Meyer. Capitol Riverfront also offers a mix of retail, recreation, and open space that is unique for a neighborhood of its size in DC. And while some are drawn to the big attractions, many just enjoy the smaller features that give life to those marquee attractions. Beckman points to the mile of parks along the Anacostia and the myriad of restaurants and supermarkets, along with new retail spots. “Now we’re seeing more businesses that fill day-to-day needs move in all the time: dry cleaning, hair and nail salons, [and] pharmacies,” she says. “It’s an attractive package.” The neighborhood is as attractive to singles and young couples as it is for families; one just needs to look at all the kids using the skating rink at Canal Park after school to see that. Etminani notes that Capitol Riverfront’s proximity to the rest of the District, as well as easy access to Maryland and Virginia, just adds to the wonder of the neighborhood. “Capitol Riverfront truly has become a live, work, play environment,” he says. “Nowhere else in the city can you find waterfront parks, a sports and concert venue, countless restaurants, and so many amenities. This neighborhood is poised for continued growth, so residents who get in now will surely reap the benefits of their investment.”

www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

RESIDENTIAL AMENITIES

Residential rooftops

Coffee shops

Art gallery at 200 I Street

Fine dining and casual restaurants

Grocery stores

In-building basketball courts

5 3

Boutique fitness clubs

2 42

Miles of Riverwalk Trail

Public dog parks

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

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he relationship between man and water has long been part of our biological history as a species. In the U.S., European settlers often chose locations near rivers and lakes because of the convenience and access that comes with living near clean water; those settlements often transformed into massive hubs of industry and transport over the next two centuries. DC’s story is the same. Booming areas like Capitol Riverfront became extremely profitable off the flow of the Anacostia River, but the river did not improve in the same way. Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) President Jim Foster says 40 years ago, no one wanted to even go near the water because of the smell and pollution. But since the Clean Water Act passed in 1972, AWS and other organizations like Anacostia Riverkeeper and DC’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) have dedicated resources to bring the human connection back to the Anacostia by leading cleanup efforts, proposing legislation, and educating the public on why it’s so important to have a clean water source. DC Water, the District’s Water and Sewer Authority, has also contributed to the river cleanup in a big way as part of the Clean Rivers Project, a two-billion, 20-year initiative that will reduce combined sewer overflows by 98 percent in the Anacostia River through a massive infrastructure program designed to capture and clean wastewater during rainfalls before it ever reaches the river. Construction on the Clean

Rivers Project Phase I deep underground tunnel system began in 2013 and was completed in spring 2018, contributing to a much-healthierthan-before Anacostia River. Capitol Riverfront is a primary example of the benefits cultivated from all of this hard work. “Capitol Riverfront was an opportunity to do waterfront redevelopment with retail [and] residential office space for a whole new group of folks,” Foster says. “It married up well for the goals of local population and the cleanup of the river.” As the river became cleaner and more people visited its waters, the AWS received more support from the general population to do something about the state of the Anacostia. As more people moved to the waters, the river became cleaner because of the residents’ personal investment in its well-being. This beneficial, symbiotic relationship all starts with education and getting people down to the river to see for themselves, according to Anacostia Riverkeeper Outreach Coordinator Trey Sherard. “The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District wants a river that they’re proud of, that looks clean and supports healthy recreation,” he says. “For the sake of the river, having the neighborhood here brings so many people to the river who may not have seen it or interacted with it otherwise.” Capitol Riverfront is one of the only places in DC with easy access to the Anacostia, which makes it important to the cleanup efforts of Anacostia Riverkeeper and other organizations, according to Sherard. Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

Photo: Courtesy of Anacostia Watershed Society

I AM THE RIVER’S KEEPER

By Amanda Weisbrod

“It’s one of the only places where people live this closely to the river,” he says. “People only started seeing how dirty the river was maybe four or five years ago. Then they wanted to join groups and get involved. This whole conversation around a clean Anacostia wouldn’t have happened as fully or with as much broad support so quickly without this neighborhood here.” But the DC population isn’t the only entity benefitting from the effects of cleaning the rivers. DOEE Director Tommy Wells says one of the most telling signs of the improvement in the waters has been the return of the eagle to its shores. “Fifty years ago, there were no eagles on the river,” he says. “Four years ago, the eagles returned and they’re on their fourth [or] fifth generation of eaglet. They can finally feed themselves off the river again.” Although there has been a massive overhaul in the cleanliness of the river over the past several decades, Foster, Sherard, and Wells all agree there is still work to be done. AWS wants to make the river swimmable again and has a plan to get there by 2025. Foster says the organization created the Waterway to 2025 plan five years ago to “help drive that vision of connecting people through storytelling through the river.” “Everybody has a different mindset or connection to the water,” Foster says. “It can be spiritual [or] it can be liking to reflect and relax and be energetic in sports. The water is very powerful. To stand here and look at a waterbody that you can’t touch is just not right. We advocate, we try to engage and persuade and teach people, and if we can’t make that work, we find the legal remedy.” Meanwhile, Anacostia Riverkeeper is continuing to test the river for E. coli – the bacteria present in solid waste – as they have done for the past few summers. But this year, they have a $140,000 grant from the DOEE to expand testing sites to cover the rest of the rivers in DC and include temperature and pH levels in the readings. This year’s water testing data will be posted online to the Anacostia Riverkeeper website and to Swimmable, an app used to track whether or not the natural bodies of water would be swimmable on any given day. Sherard says there’s an intention behind making the data public. “In DC, when it’s a 110-degree natural heat index, we think it’s silly you can’t swim in the natural water bodies,” he says. “It’s illegal to swim in the rivers, and we want to get that ban lifted by studying how many people are swimming and document days when water is swimmable.” A throng of volunteers from many different organizations invested in the cleanliness of DC’s natural water supply will be conducting the tests this summer. Sherard says he would love to see more people to volunteer and come out in support of cleaning the rivers because there’s nothing like having a clean body of natural water to recreate on. “People love water,” he continues. “Almost all the world’s cities are on rivers or coasts. We want to simultaneously introduce people to the Anacostia and have them realize the river is fun and safe.” For more information on how to get involved with Anacostia River cleanup efforts, visit AWS at www.anacostiaws.org and Anacostia Riverkeeper’s at www.anacostiariverkeeper.org. To review the Clean Water Act and learn more about DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project, visit www.doee.dc.gov and www.dcwater.com/cleanrivers. www.capitolriverfront.org | Riverfront Review 2019

RIVERFRONT RECREATION BALLPARK BOATHOUSE WATERSIDE ACCESS DC’s newest river recreational hotspot Ballpark Boathouse will officially open its docks for kayaking, canoeing, and river tours on the Anacostia in late May. Stay cool on the river and tour some of DC’s most notable locations like the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Riverfront this summer. Potomac Avenue and 1st Street in SE, DC; www.boatingindc.com/ boathouses/ballpark-boathouse

RIVERWALK TRAIL HIT THE TRAIL Instead of taking a stroll down crowded downtown streets this summer, get out to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. The continuous 20-mile trail along both sides of the river for walkers, runners, and cyclists alike is perfect for a jaunt in the cool breeze off the Anacostia. Only 12 miles of the trail are currently open, but DC’s Department of Transportation is working hard to get the Capitol Riverfront project completed. Start at Diamond Teague Park and head east along the Anacostia riverfront in SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/go/ anacostia-riverwalk-trail

RIVERKEEPER MOTORIZED BOAT TOURS DON’T MISS THE BOAT Join the Anacostia River Explorers this summer for an educational river tour focused on the Anacostia’s history, wildlife, environmental threats, and possible solutions to the problems it faces. The best part? They’re free. Various locations in Capitol Riverfront, check website for details; www.anacostiariverkeeper.org/tours

Summer Events 46

DC Beer Festival Nationals Park Saturday, April 20

Rooftop RosĂŠ Party District Winery Sunday, April 28

Same As It Ever Was: An Evening of Tributes The Bullpen Saturday, May 4

Up Top Acres Farm Fridays The freshest rooftop happy hour in town every third Friday of the month The Rooftop at 55 M Beginning May 17

Truckeroo A monthly festival showcasing the hottest food trucks in DC The Bullpen Beginning April 19

Bike to Work Day Canal Park Friday, May 17

The Yards Popstar Workout Series

RosĂŠ All Day

Channel your inner Queen Bey and learn step-by-step choreography to a variety of pop songs Yards Park Wednesdays, June 5 - July 31

Yards Park Saturday, June 1

The Yards Summer Kick-Off Yards Park Thursday, June 6

For more details on all events, visit capitolriverfront.org/events

Opera in the Outfield Nationals Park Saturday, September 21

Riverfront Review 2019 | www.capitolriverfront.org

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