1333 M Street
Washington, DC
Inspired by the architectural character of Historic Boathouse Row, adjacent to the site location, and by the tradition of industrial buildings formerly located along the Southeast waterfront, 1333 M Street is a visionary mixed-use development that reactivates the Anacostia River and provides evocative, vibrant public spaces to bring new life to the previously underutilized site. GTM Architects created an authentic design solution for this multi-phased project that will honor the past while simultaneously expressing a modern industrial aesthetic.
The proposed Planned Unit Development, situated on a nearly three-acre triangular lot, consists of approximately 790,000 sf of total floor area and encompasses over 45,000 sf of retail space for various use, including a potential food hall. The PUD includes construction of three new buildings – two substantial structures connected by a bridge element which provides residents access to dynamic interior and exterior amenity spaces, and a 90-foot tower at the eastern edge of the site reminiscent of the traditional sailboat form – resulting in 900 new residential units. Residential lobbies and retail tenant space are proposed at grade along M Street and Virginia Avenue, with further retail continuing at the upper and lower plaza levels facing the waterfront. Residential units and amenity spaces occupy the upper floors, with additional amenity space to be located on a select building rooftop, including a pool and community garden. The project also includes two levels of underground parking with ample space accommodating both vehicles and bicycles.
The master plan celebrates the waterfront by creating a dynamic promenade down to the river, incorporating a flexible retail plaza space populated with lush tree islands and sculptural plinths for gathering and seating. Capitalizing on the river views and access to its retail and café spaces, the plaza offers a vital community space where pedestrians, cyclists, retail users, residents and cultural events can unite. The landscape at 1333 M Street, including a great lawn and park, proposes a diverse balance of soft vegetation and hardscaped public spaces. This perennial landscape will incorporate sustainable design features to capture, convey and filter storm water within the site to be implemented in the streetscape, urban plazas, roof terraces and open spaces throughout the development.
