Developed by the real estate firm Boston Properties, The Avenue is a 1.4 million square feet, 335-unit urban town centre that connects George Washington University to the Foggy Bottom and West End neighbourhoods. Located near the Washington Circle, the 1.4 million square feet development includes a 12-storied apartment building and a 10-storied LEED Gold-rated office building. Apart from that, the development also includes shops, restaurants, and a Whole Foods grocery store.
The Avenue features a 10-storied Class A office building expressed as two towers acknowledging the frontage of the building to the north. To the south, bordering 23rd, 22nd and I streets, a 12-storied residential building is set back to form a pedestrian retail plaza connected to the Metro station. The building also features a façade, which exhibits a contemporary design element in its structure.
The development also includes a series of new public spaces shared by the university and the wider community. An open public garden has been created, which allows pedestrian access through the centre of the site. It connects the 23rd Street to the office building atrium lobby on The Avenue.
Apart from that, the development offers an interior garden, which offers a more intimate sanctuary for the apartments’ residents. The garden is enhanced with flowering trees, fountains and seating throughout. Parking is provided by a five-level, below-grade garage with full loading dock for semi-tractor trailers. The new buildings and public spaces of The Avenue anchor the George Washington campus.
Global Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute is the land use industry’s most prestigious awards program, which rewards real estate developments for best practices in design, construction, economics, planning and management. In addition to good design, the award criteria include factors such as contribution to the community, innovations, environmental protection, response to societal needs, and financial success.
