Howard University has broken ground on The Hazel, a new multifamily project planned for the Shaw district of Washington, D.C. The 11-story building is designed to total approximately 525,000 square feet and will deliver 504 residential units. The project also incorporates about 15,000 square feet of retail space, along with 246 below-grade parking spaces, creating a mixed-use asset in a dense urban neighborhood.
The Hazel is positioned as a significant component of Howard University’s broader real estate strategy. It is described as a major development for the institution and a transformative element of the Duke District, a planned redevelopment initiative focused on multiple Howard-owned parcels at the north end of Shaw. The site is immediately adjacent to Howard University’s main campus, tying the project closely to the university’s long-term vision for its surrounding area.
The project is being built on the former East Towers parking lot at the intersection of 8th, 9th, and W Streets NW. Converting this surface parking area into a large-scale residential and retail property signals a shift toward more intensive land use and introduces a substantial volume of new housing to the neighborhood. The inclusion of ground-floor retail is expected to add new commercial activity along these corridors.
Howard University is advancing The Hazel with a development team that includes Lowe, Affinius Capital, FLGA, and Davenport Group. Together, these firms are working with the university to execute the multi-phase Duke District vision while delivering a modern multifamily property that integrates with the campus edge and surrounding Shaw community.
Construction financing of $214.1 million has been secured for the project through a hybrid facility arranged by Barings and its affiliated C-PACE provider, CounterpointeSRE. As part of that structure, DC Green Bank is providing $90 million of C-PACE financing, underscoring the role of sustainable and energy-focused capital tools in the capital stack. The broader construction loan package was arranged by JLL, highlighting the participation of institutional intermediaries in assembling the financing.
The development team has also selected key project partners on the design and construction side. HKS is serving as project architect, and Whiting-Turner has been engaged as general contractor. These firms are responsible for translating the program into a built asset that can support hundreds of new residential units and activate new retail frontage in Shaw. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2028, positioning The Hazel as a notable addition to the local multifamily and mixed-use inventory upon delivery.
