Mayor Muriel Bowser recently led a groundbreaking ceremony for Canopy Row at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Ward 4. This new residential development will introduce 141 family-oriented homes to the 66-acre campus.

The 2.2 million square feet of transformation at Walter Reed

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus is undergoing a massive structural shift as it transitions from a military site to a residential neighborhood. Since the facility closed in 2011, the city has overseen the demolition of 2.5 million square feet of obsolete hospital buildings. According to the report, this effort has paved the way for approximately 2.2 million square feet of new construction on the 66-acre site. This transformation has already integrated 150,000 square feet of retail, anchored by a Whole Foods Market, and established a community hub that serves the 1,600 students currently attending the District of Columbia International School.

Urban Atlantic and NV Homes' 141-unit residential plan

Urban Atlantic Development, NV Homes, and Triden Development Group are spearheading the latest residential phase known as Canopy Row. This development will introduce 141 family-sized homes to the area, specifically situated between Georgia Avenue, Fern Street NW, and Elder Street NW. The project consists of 47 traditional townhomes and 94 stacked units, featuring three distinct townhome models. These units will offer two to four bedroom layouts to accommodate various family sizes, providing a mix of traditional three- and four-bedroom layouts alongside two-story stacked units.

Integrating 12 affordable units into Ward 4

Affordable housing remains a central component of the Canopy Row development plan. The project includes 12 homes specifically reserved for househlds earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, aiming to create pathways to homeownership within a rapidly evolving redevelopment zone. As the report notes, these units are part of a larger campus-wide effort that has already included over 1 ,300 apartments and 280 condominiums, as well as designated housing for veterans and seniors.

Bowser's push for 62,000 new DC housing units

Mayor Muriel Bowser is using the Walter Reed project as a cornerstone of her administration's broader housing startegy. The Mayor has noted that her administration has added 62,000 new housing units across Washington, D.C., including 17,000 affordable units. This strategy extends to other major sites like the Wharf, Skyland Town Center, and St. Elizabeths East. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert reinforced that these projects grow the city's housing supply through extensive public investment and community planning.

Missing dates for the first two Canopy Row buildings

While the groundbreaking marks a major milestone, several details regarding the Canopy Row timeline remain unconfirmed. The report does not specify the expected completion date for the first two buildings or provide a timeline for when the 12 affordable units will be available for occupancy. Additionally, while the project aims to support homeownership, the specific selection process for the target households at 80% AMI is not detailed in the current announcement.