Will the government complex in downtown D.C. be able to compete with center city Philly in the future? (best, comparison)

[MDAllstar]

Downtown D.C. north of the mall is already bustling with shopping, restaurants, entertainment and condo/apartment high rises as far as the eye can see. The government complex south of the mall doesn't have any residential buildings or entertainment. That is all about to change as D.C. continues to build it's second downtown in SW DC.

"Led by the National Capital Planning Commission in coordination with the District Office of Planning and other local and federal agencies, the initiative seeks to create a model sustainability showcase of innovative technologies and sustainable urban development and infrastructure practices in the nation's capital."

"As envisioned, the ecodistrict will be an active multi-modal mixed-use neighborhood of significant cultural attractions and public spaces, offices, residences, and amenities."

"It will examine the infill and redevelopment potential of federal properties, such as the Forrestal Complex, US Postal Service, and 10th Street Overlook."

Southwest Ecodistrict


The new mixed use and infill complex will be in the current government only complex south of the national Mall in SW DC. The goal is to connect the coming SW waterfront to the currently government only complex north of it shown in the picture below making it a 24 hour thriving bustling entertainment center and changing the last government only section of D.C. into a bustling 2nd downtown.

Government complex Development boundaries

SW Waterfront

[BajanYankee]

No.

[kidphilly]

In terms of office space it already surpasses. In terms of residents highly doubtful. On vibrancy I would be highly skeptical, I have yet to see a new urbanist mixed use development with anywhere the vibrancy of Philly's downtown, but who knows

Also remember the phildelphia waterfront may finally be getting redeveloped into 7 different micro neighborhoods many of which will also be considered downtown http://www.delawareriverwaterfrontco...l2yrreport.pdf

[tmac9wr]

Probably not. Looks really cool though.

[Bluesmama]

Does it need to compete? I think it looks very "cool", too.

Portland likens itself to a "little sister" of Seattle, often emulating how the bigger city does things. And it's one o' my pet peeves.

[MDAllstar]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

In terms of office space it already surpasses. In terms of residents highly doubtful. On vibrancy I would be highly skeptical, I have yet to see a new urbanist mixed use development with anywhere the vibrancy of Philly's downtown, but who knows

Also remember the phildelphia waterfront may finally be getting redeveloped into 7 different micro neighborhoods many of which will also be considered downtown http://www.delawareriverwaterfrontco...l2yrreport.pdf

Downtown D.C. is already twice the size of Philly's and is one of the most vibrant downtown's in the country. It is already on that level. I'm referring to the emergence of D.C.'s second downtown under construction right now. This is south of the mall in SW D.C. It will connect to the SE capital riverfront right next to SW being built right now.

SE Capital Riverfront

-16,266,747 sq. feet of office space
-8,293 residential units
-1,040,070 sq. feet of retail
-1,125 hotel rooms


SE capital riverfront will eventually connect to the new SW development and waterfront when it's built. It will create a new downtown the same size as D.C.'s current downtown to the north.

D.C.'s population projections are as follows and almost all of the population growth is projected to move into the new downtown in SW DC till 2030.

D.C. population as of November 2010 and projections with most moving into new SW downtown:

2010 = 605,500
2015 = 651,500
2020 = 669,800
2025 = 693,800
2030 = 711,900
2035 = 730,400
2040 = 760,500

population projections
http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/pub-doc...0120090230.pdf

[MDAllstar]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

Does it need to compete? I think it looks very "cool", too.

Portland likens itself to a "little sister" of Seattle, often emulating how the bigger city does things. And it's one o' my pet peeves.

If this project doesn't compete with something on this city vs. city board, it will be moved and I know that by personal experience.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by MDAllstar

Downtown D.C. is already twice the size of Philly's and is one of the most vibrant downtown's in the country. It is already on that level. I'm referring to the emergence of D.C.'s second downtown under construction right now. This is south of the mall in SW D.C. It will connect to the SE capital riverfront right next to SW being built right now.

SE Capital Riverfront

-16,266,747 sq. feet of office space
-8,293 residential units
-1,040,070 sq. feet of retail
-1,125 hotel rooms

That will eventually connect to this new SW development and waterfront when built. It will create a new downtown the same size as D.C.'s current downtown to the north. It will be interesting to see.

D.C.'s population projections are as follows and almost all of the population growth is projected to move into the new downtown in SW DC till 2030.

D.C. population as of November 2010 and projections:

2010 = 605,500
2015 = 651,500
2020 = 669,800
2025 = 693,800
2030 = 711,900
2035 = 730,400
2040 = 760,500

population projections
http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/pub-doc...0120090230.pdf

In terms of Vibrancy? well then if that is what you consider vibrancy i am sure you will love the new development equally, Bethesda on the water

Also in the area that these two cover the Philly population would be probably above 300K, the same area as the current DC downtown in Philly is already over 200k

But I will agree that DC is one of the more vibrant cities in the US, but downtown is far from its best neighborhood for this...

But one thing for sure is DC does a great job of getting things done on the development front, most cities would envy, these are not bad additions in any way, but recreating Rittenhouse Sq they are not

[BajanYankee]

If the deveopment ends up being anything like Gallery Place, then the answer is quite simply "no." Downtown DC is not where it's at. Places like Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and U Street are more comparable to Center City. Even with that comparison, I'd take South Street over 18th Street and Rittenhouse Square over Dupont Circle. I do like U Street a lot, however, so I can't think of any strip in Philly that I'd take over that.

[Spade]

2010 = 605,500
2015 = 651,500

That's being a bit optimistic there.