Mixed-use development at Howard University

Adjacent to the Howard University campus at 2711 Georgia Ave. NW is a five-story, 140,000 square foot mixed-use building under construction.

Known as Oliver, the building will include 93 fully furnished apartments, a lounge area, a terrace overlooking the campus and commercial space leased by the university. The site was formerly an apartment building.

Howard University worked with Rock Creek Property Group to develop the $62 million building, which was designed by a team including Washington-based GTM Architects. Internships, scholarships and real estate development seminars are offered to Howard students throughout the project. At least 10 percent of the equity for the project will be sourced from minority-owned companies, and at least 35 percent of the project’s contractors and consultants will be certified business entities, meaning they are headquartered in DC and meet certain preferred business opportunities.

The GTM team is led by Colline Hernandez-Ayala, a mixed-use multifamily studio specialist whose parents met at Howard University. The team also includes Rosana Torres, Director, and Kimberly A. Lee, Senior Associate. The female-led team consists of African American, Hispanic and Asian American professionals.

The residents of the Oliver are expected to be graduate students, Howard University graduates and other residents not affiliated with the university. The units will be fully furnished to facilitate residents’ relocation to the city or transition from the dormitories. Oliver’s lobby will include work and study corners, a hospitality station and lounge seating. The top level of the building will have access to a terrace and will feature an indoor lounge with arcade games, a fitness center and a work center with a conference room, private offices and communal tables.

The commercial portion of the building is leased entirely by Howard University for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Office of University Communications and other administrative offices. The building will also have an underground car park.

The Oliver is expected to be completed in 2024.

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