PenPlace – Phased Development Site Plan

Site Plan #105

This page features the PenPlace Phased Development Site Plan, approved in Sept. 2013.

Looking for information about a specific phase?

PenPlace Phase I

Location

Bounded by Army Navy Drive between S. Fern and S. Eads Streets, next to the Marriott Residence Inn in Pentagon City.

The site lies at the northeastern portion of both the Pentagon City Coordinated Development District established in 1974 and the Pentagon City PDSP boundary established by the Pentagon City Master Plan in 1976.

Status

Approved

This project was approved by the County Board on Sept. 21, 2013. Read the meeting minutes with approved site plan conditions (Item #58).

Check building permit status.

About the Project

On Sept. 21, 2013, the County Board approved PenPlace, a mixed-use, phased development site plan that will bring nearly 2 million square feet of offices, ground-floor retail businesses, a hotel and the option of up to 300 residential units to the largest parcel of undeveloped land in Pentagon City.

PenPlace is north of the Metropolitan Park phased-development site plan, a 16-acre, mixed-use project that is in its fifth phase of construction. The PenPlace phased development, as proposed by Vornado/Charles E. Smith for the 10.2 acre site, would occur over many years with future development proposals going through the final site plan approval process and requiring public review and approval by the County Board.

Phased Development Site Plan

The Board voted to adopt and amend the ordinance to the Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP) as follows:

Up to 1,809,000 square feet of office, 300 hotel units, an option for 300 residential units (in lieu of equivalent office density) and 50,000 square feet of retail.
Transfer of density and development rights totaling 610,951 square feet from five County-owned properties located along Long Bridge Drive; and transfer of density and development rights from the “Teardrop Parcel” for an additional 60,000 square feet on the Pen Place site.
Establishment of design guidelines for future site plans.
Recognition of the strategic location of the Pen Place PDSP for the possible future development of a secure facility.

Open Space Network Planning Process

The PenPlace Open Space Network Concept (“OSN Concept”) public planning process has been completed and the proposed OSN Concept will be presented to the County Board in July as an addendum to the PenPlace Design Guidelines and will be titled the PenPlace Open Space Design Guidelines Addendum July 2014. A public planning process gathered input from community members and stakeholders to determine the preferred recreational use and design of three open spaces in the development: the 10th Street Plaza, Central Green and the 12th Street Plaza.

The proposed OSN Concept includes an open lawn; a prominent walkway that extends from the 12th Street Plaza through the inner Central Green and ends at the 10th Street Plaza; a café; water elements; sculptures; seasonal plantings and children’s play areas. The open spaces will provide a respite for pedestrians, workers and residents. The design and size of the spaces will accommodate community events and outdoor markets.

A modified OSN Concept was developed concurrently, which accommodates a setback requirement if a secure building is built in the B-West parcel.

Participants in the planning discussions were also asked to provide ideas for the community facility that will be located in either the A-East or the B-East building. Proposed uses include:

Multi-dimensional facility (combination of recreational, performance and restaurant)
Community center with multipurpose community rooms, art/hobby studio space, exercise/gym space, daycare and senior facilities
Library
Auditorium/theater
University (satellite/outpost)
Garden shop

New Open Space Network and Streets

The development includes three connected open spaces within the block. To activate the site, a future community facility of up to 20,000 square feet is planned. The facility will be located on the ground floor and within steps from the Central Green open space. The existing superblocks between the two sites will be broken up with planned new streets and sidewalks, creating a lively, pedestrian-friendly environment. Two new east and west streets, 11th Street South and 10th Street South, and Elm Street, a new north and south street, will run through the Pen Place site.

12th Street South between Fern Street and Eads Street will be completed by the developer. This new roadway will become the main connection between Pentagon City and Crystal City. Considered the “Primary Transit” street, 12th Street South has dedicated high-frequency transit service between Pentagon City and Potomac Yards and between Columbia Pike and Pentagon City.

Project Materials