The West Heating Plant goes up for auction Friday morning. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The General Services Administration’s online auction of the West Heating Plant building
and land in Georgetown starts Friday at 9 AM. To the government the 110-foot Art Deco
plant on 2.08 acres of land is surplus property. But to a number of developers it
represents a challenging but potentially gleaming opportunity; it is one of the most
valuable undeveloped pieces of real estate in Georgetown. How long the auction lasts
will depend on the number of bids—it could last several weeks—and will officially
close 24 hours after bidding has ceased, according to GSA.
The bidding will happen eBay style on a GSA website.
The registration deposit is $500,000, the starting bid is $500,000, and bid increments
are a minimum of $200,000.
What it will become is anybody’s guess, but the term “mixed use” comes up in almost
every discussion. The adjacent Four Seasons Hotel has long eyed the property for conversion
into condominiums. Some neighbors and community groups, including Ward 2 council member
Jack Evans, have proposed that part of the land be set aside for a public park. In addition,
whoever becomes the purchaser will have a range of zoning and environmental regulations
to navigate. Also, because it is eligible for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places, the developer will have to please two very tough architectural review
boards: the Old Georgetown Board and the US Commission of Fine Arts.
As to when the winning bid will be announced, GSA’s Mafara Hobson says, “we won’t have a date until the bidding activity stops after a period of 24 hours after the closing date, and at that point we can announce the winner.”
The West Heating Plant Goes Up for Auction Friday Morning
It’s one of the last large parcels of land in Georgetown.
The General Services Administration’s online auction of the West Heating Plant building
and land in Georgetown starts Friday at 9 AM. To the government the 110-foot Art Deco
plant on 2.08 acres of land is surplus property. But to a number of developers it
represents a challenging but potentially gleaming opportunity; it is one of the most
valuable undeveloped pieces of real estate in Georgetown. How long the auction lasts
will depend on the number of bids—it could last several weeks—and will officially
close 24 hours after bidding has ceased, according to GSA.
The bidding will happen eBay style on a GSA website.
The registration deposit is $500,000, the starting bid is $500,000, and bid increments
are a minimum of $200,000.
What it will become is anybody’s guess, but the term “mixed use” comes up in almost
every discussion. The adjacent Four Seasons Hotel has long eyed the property for conversion
into condominiums. Some neighbors and community groups, including Ward 2 council member
Jack Evans, have proposed that part of the land be set aside for a public park. In addition,
whoever becomes the purchaser will have a range of zoning and environmental regulations
to navigate. Also, because it is eligible for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places, the developer will have to please two very tough architectural review
boards: the Old Georgetown Board and the US Commission of Fine Arts.
As to when the winning bid will be announced, GSA’s Mafara Hobson says, “we won’t have a date until the bidding activity stops after a period of 24 hours after the closing date, and at that point we can announce the winner.”
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Speaker Johnson’s Megabill Prayers Likely to Be Answered Before Holiday Weekend, Wrongly Deported Maryland Man Faced Abuse in El Salvador Prison, and We Found Some Yummy Nepalese Food
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair