Slideshow: Convention Center neighborhood in transition

Construction is underway on the massive new Marriott Marquis hotel next to the Convention Center. Several of the empty buildings around the hotel will give way to smaller Marriott properties. I took some snapshots to document the neighborhood as it looks today.

December 14, 2010 | 10:41 AM | By
FILED UNDER: Around the City, Gentrification, Shaw

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Once construction is complete, this view will look completely different.

View from the Convention Center

Once construction is complete, this view will look completely different.

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It will take 42 months to build the hotel, including a tunnel under 9th St. that will connect it underground to the Convention Center, according to Washington City Paper.

Construction takes shape

It will take 42 months to build the hotel, including a tunnel under 9th St. that will connect it underground to the Convention Center, according to Washington City Paper.

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The 128-year-old organization formerly known as "Family and Child Services" used to be housed here at 929 L St NW. The organization, now called "Family Matters DC," is now located in Dupont Circle. Today, this building sits next to the Eldon Luxury Suites.

Family and Child Services building

The 128-year-old organization formerly known as "Family and Child Services" used to be housed here at 929 L St NW. The organization, now called "Family Matters DC," is now located in Dupont Circle. Today, this building sits next to the Eldon Luxury Suites.

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A permit indicates that Marriott has applied for the go-ahead to raze the former Family and Child Services building.

Permit

A permit indicates that Marriott has applied for the go-ahead to raze the former Family and Child Services building.

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According to EB5 Capital, Marriott has plans to replace this block of boarded-up buildings with a Courtyard by Marriott and a Residence Inn in Phase II of the hotel project.

Block of empty buildings

According to EB5 Capital, Marriott has plans to replace this block of boarded-up buildings with a Courtyard by Marriott and a Residence Inn in Phase II of the hotel project.

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This slab of broken concrete came from a now-demolished parking lot on the site of the hotel. I think someone preserved it because of the art printed onto its surface.

Broken slab

This slab of broken concrete came from a now-demolished parking lot on the site of the hotel. I think someone preserved it because of the art printed onto its surface.

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Right now, the buildings at the corner of L and 9th Streets NW are empty and boarded up.

L and 9th Sts NW

Right now, the buildings at the corner of L and 9th Streets NW are empty and boarded up.

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Marriott owns this building and many of its neighbors.

Empty buildings

Marriott owns this building and many of its neighbors.

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Before construction began, there was a building at this corner where a homeless man had built a rather elaborate hovel. I wonder where he might be during the winter months.

Facing Southwest

Before construction began, there was a building at this corner where a homeless man had built a rather elaborate hovel. I wonder where he might be during the winter months.

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The hotel is expected to cost $520 million. DC and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority are contributing $206 million of that cost.

Mack Truck

The hotel is expected to cost $520 million. DC and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority are contributing $206 million of that cost.

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According to Washington City Paper, almost a year of construction will go into digging a hole 110 feet deep for the hotel.

Digging

According to Washington City Paper, almost a year of construction will go into digging a hole 110 feet deep for the hotel.

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A view of the Convention Center from L St.

Convention Center

A view of the Convention Center from L St.

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A row of trucks line up for duty alongside the construction site. The hotel is expected to open for business in Spring 2014, according to the WCSA.

Trucks in waiting

A row of trucks line up for duty alongside the construction site. The hotel is expected to open for business in Spring 2014, according to the WCSA.

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  • Sam T.

    How many construction jobs will go to DC residents, and not just Spanish-speaking residents?

  • Thomas

    Are there not spanish-speaking residents in DC? You need to move to the Deep South where your bigoted views are better tolerated.

  • Dave in Shaw

    A shame to have the historic buildings torn down to be replaced by a bland box hotel… across from a behemoth of a hotel being built now. Is it just the ones on L Street being lost, or will Marriott also raze some of the character on 9th Street too?