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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
Those DC USA stores Written by
on 2007-05-05 23:28:52How many ghetto ass stores can this mall possibly absorb?
So disappointing. Let's hope when Xmas time comes no one gets mugged walking home with Best Buy bags
Written by
on 2007-05-08 15:49:15Change and growth takes time.
I wish instead of complaining that people would just make phone calls to Borders or other places that you want to come. Think about it. We've got Rumberos, which has been doing very well since opening. The Heights is coming in June. We have two new coffee shops/bakeries (Cafe Mayorga and the healthfood bakery across the street and from the looks of it the dry cleaners and Giant are doing great business.
Having lived here over 10 years I can tell you the neighborhood is changing in some really great ways.
What can we do to encourage smaller and more upscale businesses? (1) Frequent the businesses that are already open in our neighborhood, (2) Make phone calls to potential businesses, and (3) post more encouraging comments on these forums. You know potential businesses read these!
Written by Mike on 2007-05-16 11:51:11Does anyone else think we could use a nice big bookstore? A Barnes and Noble or Borders, as one of the large spaces?
potential area homeowner Written by BW on 2007-05-17 23:13:59None of the current homeowners in this area are at fault for this retail development mess. We can't assume people would know to speak out about their feelings -- or even if they did, where and who would they talk to? DC's planning commission is at fault for not doing the proper surveying of what this area really needs, and retail developer for not really caring what stores go into it (it's so obvious they just grabbed a bunch of names off their list). In other words, DC USA is simply plopping in anchor tenants who were willing to take a risk. I think that it will take time-- the larger anchor stores will survive (best buy, target, etc), while the smaller ones will fail and be replaced by higher caliber stores such as Banana republic, etc.-- places we see in georgetown. This will happen especially after real estate values rise (700-800k average as opposed to 400-500k)and lower income tenants are replaced by higher income tenants expected to drop more cash into these stores. I am not saying I'm happy with all of the planned retail stores, I'm just encouraging local homeowners to be patient -- and to be happy that there continues to be revitalization that will increase the value of your homes.
However, I AM concerned with places like target and best buy. These are typically anchor SUBURBAN anchor stores. 9 times out of ten buyers going to these places DRIVE because what they purchase needs to be transported back home. These stores will not only be used by us locals, but people from all over the region. Traffic will be a nightmare and I doubt anyone thought of that when planning all this. Saturday trips to the national mall will now take 25 minutes when it should only take about 10. If this happens, real estate values will be mildly affected, too - especially when parking spaces run out and condos start to go for sale without parking. I'll be making my voice heard - that's for sure.
Written by BW on 2007-05-17 23:18:17By the way, YES, a Barnes and Noble would be a wonderful addition to the retail development. I like places like this that I could take a sunday afternoon and stroll in and out of shops, into a BARNES AND NOBLE and browse a book... Almost none of the retail development is meant to accomodate the weekend browser -- they are there for the weekend WARRIORS who want to drive in, fill their cars with junk, and leave!
Written by KittensWithMittens on 2007-05-21 14:16:52Did it ever occur to any of you that the other people living in Columbia Heights might have different economic and cultural preferences for the types of stores ALSO serving them? Geez, what a bunch of yuppies! Just ready to take over the property here huh, not to join a neighborhood.
Sure it would be nice if more local stores would open here that supported the ethnic and financial diversity of Columbia Heights that makes it a great urban neighborhood... but complaining about getting not getting a Whole Foods or a Borders is not my idea of "better shopping."
And by the way, if you want to spend your Sunday browsing books, there's a public library about 3 blocks away from DCUSA in Mt. Pleasant. Try it out sometime.
Written by
on 2007-05-31 22:17:08why staples how nasty...What we need is a crate and barrel and a pottery barn. I think a crate and barrel would do nicely in the whole foods spot. And get rid of those nasty shoe places. I think a pf changs would do well here. It may be a chain but at least there not those nasty things
Written by
on 2007-06-01 07:01:17Mallios was asked before about higher end stores like Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn - apparently they don't want to be part of a "discount" shopping center, which this automatically became when Target got involved. It seems like as soon as Target signed on, DCUSA sealed its fate with low end stores.
Written by polly on 2007-06-01 09:29:30Hey Ray-
Some of us like those "nasty" shoe stores. Payless is about all I can afford on an NGO salary. And why should I pay more--they make really cute knock-offs of more expensive brands.
And guess what? My poor ass is staying right here in Columbia Heights no matter what fancy yuppie stores you bring in. I was here before you and I'm not going anywhere. I like my discount stores, and for occasions that require a Whole Foods I walk or (gasp) take the bus a whole mile and half. Get over your entitled self already.
Written by GforGood on 2007-06-01 11:11:38Ok, I think there is clearly room for bot: stores with reasonable prices, and those with not so reasonable prices. :-) I personally would love a mix of both.
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).
