Washington, D.C's massive $2 billion waterfront development has luxury condos and top-of-the-line restaurants - take a look inside
The development of The Wharf is only half completed. Phase II, which is due to be finished by the end of 2021, will add another 1.15 million square feet of office, hotel, and residential space.
One of the most interesting stores (to me anyways) was District Hardware And Bike, a DC-based family-owned store open since 1971. It also had a coffee shop inside.
Hank's Oyster Bar is right next to Recreation Pier. Hank's has long been a big name in the D.C.-area known for its big raw bar and New England-style seafood classics.
Recreation Pier looked like a nice place to walk your dog or take a run after work. It features places to rent kayaks or paddle boards, and has a free ferry service to nearby East Potomac Park.
I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot of #SunsetAtTheWharf #NoFilter on Instagram very soon.
On the street is Pearl Street Warehouse, another one of the area's concert venues. The Warehouse will focus on music styles like rock, country, blues, folk, soul, and bluegrass in a more intimate setting. It also serves diner-style food.
Source: Pearl Street Warehouse
The Wharf's main entertainment thoroughfare is Pearl Street. The street is named after the ship that a group of slaves tried to sail down the Potomac in 1848 to escape to freedom.
The developers have tried to think of every desire for the modern urbanite. The Yoga Factory offers numerous types of yoga classes each day. Next door, Anchor has got everything boaters in the marina could need for their skiff (or yacht).
The Wharf advertising slogans including "Where DC Meets to Savor" and "Where DC Meets Its Water" were everywhere. And very corny.
The Intercontinental runs the no-frills waterside bar, The Watering Hole. It looked like a nice place to watch the sunset, but it was all closed up. No word if they're planning on keeping it open through the winter.
The Wharf also has three hotels, including a Canopy by Hilton, Hyatt House, and luxury hotel The Intercontinental.
The developers opted to use a number of different architects for the buildings at the Wharf to avoid a monolithic cityscape.
The Dockmaster Building at the end of the pier will host weddings and private functions. It's floor-to-ceiling windows should make for some very Instagrammable ceremonies.
There are four piers at the Wharf. The 400-foot District Pier is the largest and is expected to be used for festivals and outdoor concerts, as was the case on The Wharf's opening weekend last month. On Friday, there will be a Christmas Tree lighting.
Bonus: If you purchase something at the Fish Market you get validation that drops the cost of your parking to $2. That's worth the walk over (and the crab cake).
Not a bad snack to nosh on while watching the sun set. The boardwalk has plenty of standing tables built into the railing.
Jesse Taylor Seafood, White's chief rival, will be at the new market. I decided to test out some of the fare, getting a cup of Maryland Crab Soup and a crab cake.
One of the biggest tenants, Sunny White, may not be one them. He has been embroiled in a lawsuit against the developers. White says the developers are trying to force out his business, while the developers say White doesn't have the proper permits and owes rent.
Source: WTOP
At the end of the promenade is the oldest part of The Wharf, the Maine Avenue Fish Market. Opened in 1807, the market is the oldest open-air fish market in the US. The development will retain the historic market and many of its existing tenants.
Here's another look at The Channel. The other apartment buildings in the Wharf are luxury-minded VIO, Icanto (which is located above Pearl Street, the main entertainment thoroughfare), and 525 Water.
Anthem is one of three concert venues at the Wharf. The 6,000-person venue is operated by the owners of DC's famous 9:30 Club and has already featured the Foo Fighters, LCD Soundsystem, and Bob Dylan.
Source: The Washington Post
For those just passing through on their boats, the Market Docks are available off Market Pier. It's right next to the fish market.
The Wharf has a water taxi service the connects the area with popular places like Georgetown and The Yards in DC and Alexandria, VA.
Source: The Washington Post
There's a lot of history on the Wharf. The Capital Yacht Club has been located in South West since 1892. In addition to the new docks, there's a brand new Yacht Club building for hobnobbing.
Source: Capital Yacht Club
Then there's the question asked of any neighborhood: Where can I get a drink? The Brighton, run by DC nightlife veterans Eric and Ian Hilton, is hoping to be the answer. The indoor/outdoor bar is right on the water and is looking to be the neighborhood's everyday British-style pub.
A big draw of the restaurant is the 40-seat patio out back. There are built-in heat lamps and a number of fire pits so people can dine outside year-round.
The Wharf has a lot of options for fine dining. Requin is a fancy French/Mediterranean restaurant run by chef Michael Rafidi. The menu features a lot of seafood, steaks, and French classics.
And DC-based sandwich shop Taylor Gourmet.
There is a fair amount of fast-casual options like Brooklyn-based Red Hook Lobster Pound.
And, of course, current kings of the burger world, Shake Shack. Oakland, California-based Blue Bottle Coffee will reportedly open a branch in the spring.
There are a few exceptions, like New York-based Momofuku Milk Bar, which is due to open sometime after the new year.
The Wharf location is the company's third branch. The calendar is already filled up with events featuring the likes of The Daily Beast founder Tina Brown and former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Source: Politics & Prose
Politics and Prose is a popular independent bookstore in the city that has long been known as a cultural hub due its knowledgable staff and frequent events.
There is a focus on locally-owned businesses. Martha Spak Gallery is run by Spak, a DC-based artist. The gallery features fine-art and photography from local artists.
Source: Martha Spak
Most of the stores are not cheap. Ligne Roset is a high-end French furniture store.
There are more than 20 shops open, with more set to open over the next several months. They range from clothing stores like D/Eleven to shops offering hardware, interior design, and cosmetics.
The Wharf has been in development since real estate developer Monty Hoffman and his firm PN Hoffman won redevelopment rights in 2006. The project took a long time to get off the ground.
The project has gone through more than a dozen agencies for approval and even required Congress to pass three laws. Hoffman reportedly poured a fortune of his own money to keep the project going until he worked out a partnership with real estate investor Madison Marquette.
Source: The Washington Post
The Wharf is a 10-minute walk from the L'Enfant Plaza Metrorail station, but there is a free shuttle to take people there and back. For more active residents, there are Capital Bikeshare stations and bicycle lanes that connect to the 28-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.
Here's what one of the studio apartments looks like. While studios in the building run for around $2000/month, the Channel has more than 100 affordable units available.
It boasts amenities like an infinity pool, a community garden, bocce ball courts, fitness areas, and one acre of green space.
With 501 total units, the Channel is billing itself as the hip apartment building in the neighborhood.
It's an easy enough place to drive to. The complex has an underground parking garage that can currently fit 1500 cars. Eventually that will expand to 2500.
I took the elevator up through The Channel, one of the neighborhood's four new apartment complexes. The Channel is situated directly above the area's new concert venue.
The Wharf is located in Southwest D.C. It's about a 20 minute walk to the National Mall and the Washington Monument. Not bad if you work in downtown D.C.
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