While at Forest City, I was asked to apply my master-developer skill set to several of the company’s other community-oriented projects, one of which was The Yards. Located along the Anacostia River waterfront, The Yards is a 42-acre redevelopment with a plan that includes 2,700 residential units and approximately 2 million feet of office and retail. The site is situated between the historic Navy Yards and Nationals Park, just steps from the Metro.

My job was to create a cohesive master plan and implementation guide that could be executed by the local DC team. Unlike other new projects in the area, the scale of the site let us work holistically to create an integrated ecosystem. It wasn’t about a single building. It was an opportunity to envision, design and carefully position each component to achieve a powerfully synergistic sense of place — a new urban community within the District. The heart of the development is Yards Park, with its boardwalk and gathering spaces along the Anacostia River. We converted several historic buildings within the site into apartments and retail/market space, bringing a feeling of authenticity and providing a link to the adjacent historic Navy Yards.

Since its completion, The Yards has become a regional destination, drawing an eclectic mix of people who come here to work, live or simply enjoy the outdoor concerts, signature restaurants and specialty retailers.