THE MORRIS AND GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING OF PHASE 2 OF ART PLACE AT FORT TOTTEN 

Mayor Bowser Joins Foundation Leaders and Community Stakeholders For Official Ceremony at the Mixed-Use Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – FEBRUARY 12, 2022 – The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation today celebrated the official groundbreaking for Phase 2 of its two million-square-foot mixed-use development, Art Place at Fort Totten. Joined by Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie and members of the community, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation shared its vision for the future of Art Place which is estimated to generate over $1.7 billion in economic impact and over 7,000 total jobs across both phases.

“We are on a mission in DC to make sure neighborhoods in every part of our city are filled with opportunity and that Washingtonians have access to those opportunities,” said Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We are grateful for this investment from the Cafritz Foundation, and there is so much to look forward to – from a new children’s museum, to a new grocery store, to more child care. This is a transformative investment in DC families and we look forward to coming back to cut some ribbons.”  

The anticipated delivery of Phase 2 in early 2025 will continue Fort Totten’s transformation into a creative and walkable destination with the addition of a 24,000-square-foot Aldi, 27,000 square feet of retail space, additional indoor and outdoor spaces for the community to enjoy and more. 

“ALDI currently operates more than 45 stores in the greater D.C. area and is excited to be a part of this new development in the Fort Totten neighborhood. We are thrilled to bring area shoppers high-quality, fresh foods that they love, at low prices every day,” said Jeff Baehr, ALDI FRE Division Vice President. 

Phase 2 will also deliver three residential buildings, including 294 apartments, as an extension to The Modern’s 520 units, and multiple cultural, culinary and community venues. The Foundation’s plans also include a 35,000-square-foot food collective curated with local artisanal food and beverage vendors, a 32,000-square-foot interactive art experience, including a 27,000-square-foot Explore! Children’s Museum, and over 40,000 square feet of community event space. Once complete, Phase 2’s offerings will combine to create an experiential hub of activity. 

“As we mark the beginning of construction for Phase 2, I am inspired by the role Art Place has and will continue to play in the Fort Totten community,” said Jane Cafritz of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. “This new space will be an experiential world rooted in art, creativity, and participation of all residents and visitors and we look forward to bringing the community together in these new and exciting spaces.”

At full build out, Art Place will include nearly two million square feet of multifamily, retail, cultural, art, public and entertainment spaces. Art Place’s Phase 1 currently includes The Modern apartments, Love and Care Development Center, Ramdass Pharmacy, ShiningStars Pediatric Dentistry, T-Mobile, DMV Urgent Care, and Rocketship Public Schools. The groundbreaking comes on the heels of the official opening of Onelife Fitness Sports Club at Art Place in January 2022, which brings an additional 40,000 square feet of cutting-edge health and fitness space to the Fort Totten community. 

For more information on Art Place, please visit www.artsplace-dc.com.

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About The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation dedicated exclusively to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Foundation is the legacy of Morris Cafritz–one of Washington’s leading commercial and residential builders from the early 1920’s to the mid-60’s–and is committed to improve the quality of life for residents of the area. Since 1970, the foundation has granted awards totaling more than $447 million. In just the last ten years, $185 million has been awarded to more than 961 organizations in Community Services, Arts & Humanities, Education, Health and the Environment.

Renderings courtesy of the Cafritz Foundation