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Saturday, October 11, 2008
Major Retail Coming to Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights is poised to become the shopping destination for the entire Washington, DC area. Hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space are in the works including DC USA, a 500,000 sq. ft. retail complex that will include major retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, and possibly Whole Foods Market! More exciting retailers are planning to open in the newly renovated Tivoli Square and other developments across Columbia Heights. Read more in the Retail News section.
We got a hold of the updated floor plans for the DC USA retail complex which include the latest tenant makeup and the available spaces that remain. Regardless of which retailer ends up in the space carved out for Whole Foods Market, we think the updated plans provide a good reminder of the strength of the retailers that have already committed to DC USA - especially the anchors (Target, Washington Sports Club, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Staples).
The plans also indicate that about a dozen spaces are still available for prospective retailers, not including the space originally designated for Whole Foods Market. The remaining spaces range in size between 895 400 to almost 10,000 square feet. If you have a particular retailer that you would like to see in one of those spaces, make your voices heard.
Source: Newmark Knight Frank - Original PDF - November 30, 2006
Comments
Written by GforGood on 2007-04-17 16:57:33Alaaro, agree. However, is there any other confirmation that Trader Joe's IS actually coming to the building at W St? I've only seen something in a DCist article (or some such thing). They are apparently secretive about where they will open.. kinda weird given their image otherwise.
Written by
on 2007-04-17 21:13:05I got that news from Peter Mallios, the leasing guy for DCUSA, who told me that neither WF or TJs is interested in the project anymore. Subsequent conversations conveyed that his understanding was that TJs was focusing on 14th and W. And as you mentioned, other outlets confirmed that also, so I would think it is somewhat serious. I'm sure it's not definite that they are going to 14th and W, as they haven't formally announced it yet, but if they have officially passed on DCUSA, I would assume they're not going to reconsider. Stranger things have happened though...
Written by JM on 2007-04-18 08:49:58I just posted this comment under the trader joes article but when I inquired about a unit in Union Row I was told that Trader Joes was NOT coming to that space at 14th/Florida. They want dedicated parking and won't budge on that demand
Written by New2CH on 2007-04-18 11:59:35Unfortunately, dedicated parking demands = death knell for any tenant in DCUSA, as Whole Foods already was denied on that front. Anyone else see the irony that public financing built this parking lot, but the idiotic conditions for that financing are preventing the lot / DC USA from being used in the way actually desired by the public? We need Graham or someone to look into this ...
Written by GforGood on 2007-04-18 15:27:27Those rules may be idiotic, but I would argue it is at least as idiotic of these retailers to demand that they MUST have dedicated parking when there is thousand car parking facility there.. I mean its not like most Trader Joe's clients could not wobble a few hundred yards (at worst)from their cars to the store..
Written by kenny on 2007-04-18 16:12:14I wish we could at a bare minimum, get retail at the quality of the town center in Silver Spring. Granted they're chains, but much better quality than the crappy ones currently slated for DCUSA.
I don't support fast food, BUT if we must, I'd prefer shops such as Chipotle or Potbelly. They're far superior to anything else in the fast food world.
Others: Barnes and Noble Borders Urban Outfitters Balducci's Gourmet market Lauriol PLaza Wegmans Crate and Barrel Cheesecake Factory Outdoor Store Busboys and Poets (or similar) Tryst/Diner (of Adams Morgan) H&M
Written by JM on 2007-04-19 08:55:38To everyone who has taken the time to write in and complain (myself included) have you also sent a letter of complaint to the Mayor, the DC Council or your ANC commissioners. I am certain that our emails on this listserve are not going to affect anyone. The elected officials in this city should be advocated for us but perhaps they are out of touch with the community.
Written by Z on 2007-04-19 11:35:03Please also consider contacting retailers directly. I have sent emails to bookstores, restaurants, and H&M and have received somewhat positive responses that they are looking to open stores in the area.
I get a sense that the leasing agent hasn't done the best job of advertising this project. Too bad the community didn't become involved sooner in the process.
Written by
on 2007-04-23 12:24:45I live closer to downtown in Shaw, and hadn't really been keeping track of the status of DC USA. I have to say after reading this, the tenents so far really suck. Its an injection of suburban big-box stores right into the heart of DC.
While in other parts of the city they're struggling for more local retailers vs. national chains, you guys have completely accepting that you are getting national chains and are simply fighting for less shitty ones.
I'm not trying to rub your noses in it, but definitely try to take a lesson to the next project. Get involved and get involved early!
Written by
on 2007-05-05 14:31:04Good idea JM! I will consider contacting the retailers directly. I would much rather have a Borders, any major bookstore chain for that matter other than another Payless, Radio Shack, or Footlocker.
We got a hold of the updated floor plans for the DC USA retail complex which include the latest tenant makeup and the available spaces that remain. Regardless of which retailer ends up in the space carved out for Whole Foods Market, we think the updated plans provide a good reminder of the strength of the retailers that have already committed to DC USA - especially the anchors (Target, Washington Sports Club, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Staples).
