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ArchDC Winter 2018.qxp_Winter 2018 11/27/18 9:35 AM Page 26

The Wharf as seen from
the Washington Channel.

Merit Award in Urban Design & Master
Planning/Presidential Citation for Urban Catalyst

The District Wharf
Washington, DC Landscape Architects: Landscape Architecture Bureau; Lee
and Associates, Inc.; Michael Vergason Landscape Architects;
Perkins Eastman Nelson Byrd Woltz
Architects/Designers of Individual Buildings: Perkins Structural Engineers: SK&A and Thornton Tomasetti JV
Eastman DC; BBGM; Cunningham Quill Architects; FOX Architects; Civil Engineers: A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc.
Handel Architects; Kohn Pedersen Fox; McGraw Bagnoli Architects; Maritime Engineers: Moffat & Nichol
MTFA Architecture; Rockwell Group; SK&I Architectural Design Acoustical Consultants (Theater): A Ku Sticks
Group; SmithGroupJJR; WDG Architecture General Contractors: Clark Construction Group and Balfour Beatty

Photo © Sarah Mechling—Perkins Eastman
When the Wharf started construction in 2014, there may still have seems, was overlooked to reverse a central flaw of the 1950s urban
been a few old-timers who recalled the pre-urban renewal renewal development, which, as Perkins Eastman says with
Southwest DC waterfront, a busy port with a mix of commercial, considerable understatement, “failed to adequately bind land and
touristic, and yachting activities. Urban renewal in the 1950s and water uses.” Public piers have dramatic sculptures and a range of
’60s replaced most of the almost-two-mile stretch with bunker-like seating options, as well as two different water transportation
buildings isolated in large parking lots. These had a brief flower, entities: the large water taxi which operates from the northernmost
but by the 1990s, the overwhelming impression was of desolation pier to Alexandria, Georgetown, and National Harbor; and a small
and cracking concrete. A handful of holdouts maintained isolated jitney boat that shuttles across the channel to East Potomac Park
pockets of bustle and popular engagement: the Fish Market, most (a.k.a. Hains Point). While drinking or dining, one can view the
notably, and the Capitol Yacht Club, tour boat pier, and a modest water from inside or out, immediately adjacent, across the street, or
community of houseboat dwellers. Yet even these were housed in from a second-floor perch. In the myriad of office and apartment
outdated, poorly-maintained facilities. buildings and hotels, of course, it is not possible for everyone to
The District Wharf master plan is a complex interweaving get a water view. But careful master planning, with cuts and
of traditional and modern urban design practices, mixing fully angles, provides at least a peek to a substantial percentage.
private, semi-public, and public functions. This shows in the If the land-water connection is the most visible and obvious
buildings’ range of uses, of course, from a five-star hotel and guiding concept, sustainability is the most significant one, yet it’s
pricey glass-walled condominiums to ice cream stands, the water largely hidden. As the Wharf has loudly achieved popular success,
taxi station, and the 5,000-seat concert venue, the Anthem, as well it quietly achieved LEED Gold certification in the Neighborhood
as in the circulation system. There are major streets (realigned and Development category. This speaks to a broad range of tough
reconstructed Maine Avenue), narrow streets (including Pearl requirements including reductions in use of energy and water;
Street, which has several honky-tonk style live music bars), and control of storm water and waste streams; use of sustainable,
bike lanes. Emblematic is the new Wharf Street, running directly non-toxic materials; and promotion of healthy living. But absent
along the waterfront, where various paving and landscaping the esoteric magic of design on multiple levels—urban, architectural,
elements define general zones of sidewalk, street, pocket parks, landscape, interiors, marine, etc.—adherence to the LEED criteria
and sidewalk cafes—but where pedestrians and bicyclists can go is no guarantee of success. The Wharf achieves this magic, which,
anywhere, and vehicles must go slowly and yield. as juror Rick Archer, FAIA, noted with approval, “does something
All elements of the master plan ultimately serve one central really simple: It converts [an almost forgotten corner of the city]
purpose, however: to re-engage the waterfront. No opportunity, it into one of the most vibrant urban places in the metropolitan area.”

26 URBAN DIVINE