A First Look At The Big Plans For Howard's Wonder Plaza

• December 9th

by UrbanTurf Staff

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Three years ago, Howard University released a request for qualifications to redevelop the Wonder Plaza, a strip along Georgia Avenue that houses several fast-casual restaurants and retail shops below offices (map). Now, UrbanTurf is taking one of the first looks at the new redevelopment. 

Howard and developer Greystar have filed plans with DC for the Fusion Building, a new project that will include 280 student housing units, ground floor retail, a new dining hall and a wellness center. WDG Architecture is the project designer. 

The wellness center will be located on the underground levels and ground floor of the new development, and will include weight training areas, two basketball courts, and an indoor track. The dining hall will also be located on the ground floor along Georgia Avenue. 

While the development is expected to have about 160 underground parking spaces, the focus will largely be on a pedestrian experience. 

"The Applicant anticipates that most student-residents of the building will walk to/from University facilities or use alternative means of transportation," the filing stated. "Accordingly, the Project will provide 106 long-term bicycle parking spaces and 32 short-term bicycle parking spaces."

While the current building -- constructed in 1902 for the Corby Baking Company -- is not landmarked or on any city inventory of historic sites, the university and Greystar will preserve portions of the existing façade. 

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/a_first_look_at_the_big_new_plans_at_howard_university/22988.