Renewing DC, One Development at a Time: An Interview with Jim Abdo

For the last couple decades, Jim Abdo and his Abdo Development group have offered a unique perspective on real estate and the role it plays in the community. Taking on projects in areas of the city that many see as undesirable addresses, Abdo is doing more than erecting buildings—he is building neighborhoods and communities. In this interview, he talks to us about responsible development, his ever-growing project roster, and more.

Thank you for joining us, Jim. Your company is widely recognized as a leader in the renewal of Washington’s historic districts, such as Logan Circle and 14th Street. How do your developments turn such areas into sought-after addresses?

When we are working in transitional and emerging neighborhoods, we typically look for characteristics that indicate that a neighborhood is ready for revitalization. These factors include a quality stock of existing historic buildings and a neighborhood fabric that lends itself to quality urban revitalization -- the sense that the "bones" of a neighborhood are there, but we just need to restore some key buildings or fill in some parcels or blocks to complete the sense of place. Also, we need to get the sense that the existing residents and businesses of the neighborhood are eager for and embrace change. Once we are comfortable with the neighborhood and its potential, we study the site and its context very carefully to design a development that fits into and complements the existing neighborhood. This means respecting the historic character of an existing building (in an adaptive reuse project) and the character of the surrounding neighborhood. We don't try to change a neighborhood into something it doesn't want to be or is not capable of being. We also try to "build above the market", meaning that we build to a level of quality that matches what we believe the neighborhood can become rather than what it may be today.

Can you give us an update on your New York Ave. project? What's finished? What's in the works?

The New York Avenue project is currently on hold while the economic recovery is underway. It was a bold and ambitious plan -- essentially creating an entirely new city within the city with significant upfront infrastructure improvements -- that will need a few more years of economic stability before it can be financed and built.

There's also a lot of buzz about your Brookland project, slated to begin construction in 2011. What drew you to Brookland and what are the most exciting parts of this project?

Basically all the fundamental characteristics I described above are present in the Brookland and Edgewood neighborhoods, and then some. First, Brookland and Edgewood are wonderful existing neighborhoods with a strong sense of community, beautiful architecture, and a real desire among residents to embrace positive change. We also have a terrific neighbor with CUA (and the many other institutions of higher learning) that brings 24-hr activity and energy and a built-in market for our development, not to mention the Washington Hospital Center which is just a few blocks away. We also have a Metro station at our doorstep. The "bones" are there and we saw a real opportunity to bring a missing piece of the puzzle with a development that will effectively connect the University with the neighborhood. It’s a very rare opportunity where you have a street like Monroe Street that probably could have (or should have) become a retail main street, but due to a number of factors, did not realize that potential. We really see ourselves almost as facilitators, helping the properties along Monroe become what they always should have been -- a center of activity and commerce for the neighborhood and the University.

Also, what amenities and/or enhancements do you think need to be added to H Street to make it as vibrant in the daytime as it is in the evening?

Many of the things that need to happen are already happening. There is the amazing Atlas Theater and the significant entertainment district that has developed around that anchor. Our development at Senate Square and Landmark Lofts has brought a significant amount of new residents to the corridor. Now, the city is completing the streetscape project and installing the streetcar lines. All of this will continue to build on itself and the corridor will continue to redevelop into a vibrant 24-hour street, much like (if not better than) 14th Street.

What other DC neighborhoods do you think have big revival potential that have not yet been recognized?

Its exciting to see what's been happening in the Ballpark District and Anacostia and there are still real opportunities and potential there, especially as the economy continues to improve. I continue to feel that the NY Avenue corridor has amazing potential and there is a real opportunity to improve the gateway to Washington from the east and north. The eastern end of Capitol Hill, especially with the Hill East site and whatever eventually happens with RFK Stadium offers some really good opportunities as well.

Many of our readers are renters. In your opinion, what DC neighborhoods give renters the best bang for the buck today?

It depends what a renter is looking for and what their needs are. If you are a renter on a tight budget, perhaps look at places that are outside of or on the edges of some of the more well-known neighborhoods. In these types of places, you typically can get more for your money, especially in terms of the size of the apartment or house. So instead of the heart of Capitol Hill, perhaps look at the northern or eastern edges of the Hill. Instead of the Ballpark District, look at SW DC. Instead of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor, look at Columbia Pike. Instead of Bethesda, look at Silver Spring. Each of these alternative places offer more house for the money without giving up too much in the way of urban amenity and lifestyle.

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