What if a shopping center became a city’s heart? CityCenterDC is just that. It’s more than a collection of stores. CityCenterDC is a 10-acre urban center. It mixes commercial, retail, and residential spaces. This mixed-use development covers more than five city blocks.
CityCenterDC sits on the former Washington Convention Center site. Construction began in 2011. The $950 million project was mostly done by summer 2015. The luxury hotel Conrad Washington, DC, opened in 2019.
Mayor Anthony A. Williams called it “the crowning achievement in the rebirth of our downtown.” Adrian Fenty called it a “live, work and play environment unlike anywhere else in D.C.”
CityCenterDC is one of the largest downtown projects in the 21st century. Until 2012, it was the largest urban development on the East Coast. One writer called it “a modern-day Rockefeller Center.”
Palmer Alley cuts through CityCenterDC. It’s a three-block pedestrian mall. Cars are not allowed here. Public art often lines Palmer Alley. The Plaza at CityCenter features restaurant patios. You can also see fountains and video art. The Park at CityCenter hosts events. Look for the annual 75-foot Christmas tree. There is also a summer farmers market.
Many high-end stores call CityCenterDC home. You will find Louis Vuitton and Dior here. Look for Hermès and Burberry too. Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo also have stores.
Restaurants abound at CityCenterDC. Momofuku CCDC and Milk Bar are popular. DBGB Kitchen and Bar is another option. Try Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House. For Mediterranean food, there is Fig & Olive.
The Hilton Conrad hotel opened here in 2019. It boasts 360 guest rooms. There is also 32,000 square feet of event space.
Even famous people have lived at CityCenterDC. Former Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks lived here. Former Attorney General Eric Holder called it home. Senator Claire McCaskill was a resident too.
CityCenterDC is designed to blend into the city. It connects to the surrounding area. This continues the revitalization of this part of the city. CityCenterDC earned LEED ND Gold certification. This recognizes smart growth and green building.
The sleek exterior of CityCenterDC makes it accessible. The Mount Vernon Square and Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stops are close. The DC Circulator also stops nearby. There is a parking garage under CityCenterDC. Many restaurants offer valet parking.
CityCenterDC reintroduces Washington’s original street grid. It provides a framework for pedestrian traffic. The goal is to create a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood. It has truly become a heart of the city.