Washington Project for the Arts signs on at JBG’s Atlantic Plumbing site

The Washington Project for the Arts has signed on to be part of The JBG Cos.’ Atlantic Plumbing redevelopment at Eighth and V streets NW, a significant addition to a block of space the Chevy Chase developer hopes to establish as an enclave for artist studios.

The artist service organization signed a lease for 1,500 square feet on the ground floor of the mixed-use development, adjacent to the 9:30 Club, and plans to open in early 2015 in time for its 40th anniversary. Hickok Cole Architects has been retained to help design the organization’s space. The nonprofit, now based at 10 Eye St. SW, supports artists and promotes contemporary arts through exhibitions and other forms of public dialogue.

The deal will help to animate JBG’s vision for the project, which JBG Principal Kai Reynolds told me in a September 2013 interview seeks to capture some of the flavor of Brooklyn’s meatpacking district.

JBG Executive Vice President Robin Mosle expanded on that in a statement on WPA’s plans. He said JBG hopes the WPA’s presence will help “bring new access to a wide range of art — not only to Atlantic Plumbing, but to the immediate community, recognized for its rich arts heritage.”

JBG and partner Walton Street Capital LLC broke ground on the project last fall. It is slated to include more than 300 residential units and nearly 24,000 square feet of retail space and artist studios. Earlier this year, the partners announced that Landmark Theatres has signed on to open a venue at the project.

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