Franklin School update

The Deputy Mayor for Economic Development has issued an update on The Franklin School, located at 925 13th Street, on May 30th. There were 4 respondents to the RFQ, They are;


1) Office space for Costar Technology hub and learning center (ABDO)

2) NAMDI (National Association of Multicultural Digital Entrepreneurs) office space, technology center

3) Douglas Development Boutique Hotel, no defined hotel as yet

4) Institute for Contemporary Expression and ThinkFoodGroup - ICE DC art gallery and restaurant
    (ThinkFoodGroup is an Jose Andres venture)

“My office has worked closely with the area community to ensure we make constructive decisions for the restoration and rehabilitation of the former Franklin School,” said Deputy Mayor Hoskins. “We are happy with the interest level in redeveloping the building and hope the public will also be pleased that the developer and tenant selection process for the site is moving ahead.” 

Franklin School building on 13th Street NW

The 4 teams are eligible to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be issued this summer (July 24th). Following this, a developer will be selected in late fall of 2013.  Then, a disposition process will unfurl for the site and redevelopment will begin subject to approval of the Council of the District of Columbia.      

View of Franklin School from K Street at 13th Street NW

The Franklin School, located at 925 13th Street, NW, is an approximately 51,000-square-foot landmark listed on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites.  This designation provides the building’s exterior and features of the interior with historic protection status.  It also necessitates a review process that seeks compatible treatment of these features in respondents’ redevelopment plans.  The property is listed, too, on the National Register of Historic Places at the highest level of designation as a National Historic Landmark.  The Franklin School building, which was built from 1865-1869, is currently vacant.