Rendering of George Washington Carver Hall (Photo courtesy of Howard University )
Howard University is converting two former dorms into apartments in LeDroit Park.
George Washington Carver Hall and Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall, both built in 1942, will offer 162 rental units that range from studios to two bedrooms, according to a release from the university. Carver will include 15 loft apartments with 16-foot ceilings, sleeping lofts, and interior feature stairs. Both buildings will have a fitness center, resident lounge, and outdoor spaces.
Since its founding in 1867, Howard has a history of graduating record numbers of black students. In recent years, the school has also been wracked with financial troubles.
President Wayne A. I. Frederick is currently spearheading a team that’s turning the college’s real estate portfolio into profits. In this $50 million dorm renovation project, the university will maintain ownership of the property and receive revenue over time. Current rentals in LeDroit Park list for about $1,700 for a one bedroom and $2,500 for a two-bedroom unit.
Among other properties, the college owns a commercial strip on Georgia Avenue that’s home to an 8,000 square foot incubator space that opened in the spring. It also signed a deal last year to turn a former dorm next to Meridian Hill Park into luxury rentals.
“The strategy to diversify and improve university revenue streams is being furthered by innovative transactions such as these,” said Frederick, in the release, adding that capital from the apartments will help fund other modernization projects such as a new undergraduate library, renovated program space for the nursing school, and a new communications school building. The dorm agreement also provides scholarships and internship opportunities for students, per the release.
George Washington Carver Hall and Lucy Diggs Slowe Hall have been vacant since 2012. The historically black college is partnering with Urban Investment Partners and Neighborhood Development Corporation on the project—the team closed the deal to begin renovations on Carver on August 18 and Slowe on September 1.
As with other buildings in the Shaw and U Street areas, the structures will retain their current names to honor African American history.
Carver was born into slavery and became a botanist who’s famous for his many inventions. Slowe was the first African American woman to become dean of women at a university in the United States.
Howard will also install plaques to commemorate the pair, their legacy, and linkage to the university.
