Rooftop at night of impressive modern building

Michael Neibauer | Washington Business Journal

The JBG Cos. has filed plans with the D.C. Zoning Commission for a 13-story, 290-unit apartment building immediately north of Nationals Park, with two levels of retail and three levels of below-grade parking.

It’s not a planned-unit development, but JBG is required to submit its project for Zoning Commission review, as it is part of the Capitol Gateway Overlay District.

The 29,600-square-foot 1244 South Capitol St. SE lot, bounded by South Capitol, Van and N streets SE, was formerly owned by Monument Realty and Lehman Bros., which had also planned to construct roughly 300 units there. JBG acquired the site, currently used for seasonal parking, in December for $17 million.

At the time of the acquisition, Bisnow quoted JBG’s Matt Kelly saying the firm is probably a year or two away from starting anything. Eight months later, a proposal is in the pipeline. The developer expects to start construction in the third quarter of 2015, with delivery in 2017.

JBG is no stranger to Capitol Riverfront, having developed the 1.1 million-square-foot U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE — the second most valuable private property in D.C.

Per JBG’s plans, ground floor retail will wrap all three sides of the 271,160-square-foot building where it fronts a street. JBG describes its project as a “vibrant new building” with “distinct facade designs” that will provide for the “establishment of South Capitol Street as a monumental civic boulevard.” The project’s architect is Hariri Pontarini of Toronto. Eric Colbert & Associates PC is the architect of record.