Forest City Washington celebrated the opening of Arris, RAMSA's new residential building in Washington DC, at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, March 23.
Arris takes its place on the most prominent site of The Yards, a new mixed-use riverfront neighborhood on the former grounds of the Washington Navy Yard Annex, developed by Forest City Washington and co-master-planned by our firm.
The new 11-story building is designed to reflect the existing character of the site and follows guidelines established by the Washington, DC State Historic Preservation Office. Arris's five-story red brick base and metal detailing take their cues from neighboring industrial buildings converted to apartments and offices. The building's massing creates two west-facing residents' courtyards that open to a mid-block pedestrian mews and link retail space along Tingey Street to the waterfront. The courtyards provide a quiet refuge from the surrounding city and are directly accessed from the building's lobby and amenity spaces. A large glass volume above the brick base on Fourth Street creates a modern architectural expression.
The building offers 327 high-end rental apartments, some of which offer direct views to the Yards Park, the Nationals Park baseball stadium, and the Capitol Building. Over 19,000 square feet of ground-level retail wraps the building on its north, east, and south sides, creating an active streetscape. Amenities for residents include underground parking, lounges, and a rooftop terrace and pool overlooking the Anacostia River.
RAMSA Partners
Robert A.M. Stern,
Paul L. Whalen, and
Sargent C. Gardiner led the design. WDG Architecture served as the associate architect.
Photographed from left: Capitol Riverfront BID President Michael Stevens, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Forest City Washington President Deborah Ratner Salzberg, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth, and Jason Bonnet.
