Story

Completed by CBG in November 2024, The Iris is a 14-story, 430-unit apartment community on North Capitol Street in the heart of Washington, D.C., near Union Station, NoMa, and Union Market. Built on the former site of the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) headquarters, The Iris offers 86 affordable units, of which 43 are designated for Housing Authority residents. The Iris is also a LEED® Gold community, integrating sustainable design features such as green roof space, planters, VOC-free paints, low-VOC adhesives and sealants, interior doors made from recycled materials, and a 162-bike storage room. The Iris’ post-tensioned concrete structure includes two levels of below-grade parking and offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans with upscale finishes such as quartz countertops, LVT flooring, and upgraded appliances. Nature-inspired design is reflected in tasteful details and finishes throughout amenity areas, including co-working spaces, a courtyard, a dog walk, a penthouse gym, and a rooftop garden and pool with sweeping views of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Despite several challenges, the project team successfully delivered a community that embodies elevated urban living while addressing housing affordability and revitalizing the area. First, the team needed to keep the existing DCHA building operational for Housing Authority Police. To accomplish this, CBG adjusted the foundation piles and installed a covered walkway, ensuring safe and continuous access. The narrow site, surrounded by existing structures on three sides, also posed challenges for the project team. With little space to lay down materials, the project team meticulously coordinated deliveries and cleanup to ensure a functional and efficient job site. Another challenge involved modifying the penthouse roof slab to accommodate Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS). The team used Building Information Modeling (BIM) to resolve conflicts and ensure seamless integration of the changes. Next, just weeks before excavation for streetscape work began, CBG encountered unforeseen underground utility conflicts. The project team discovered gas lines that were either misrepresented or absent from as-built drawings. CBG worked closely with civil engineers and local authorities to verify active lines and adjust tree pit designs accordingly. The Iris also complied with DCHA Section 3 and Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) employment requirements. To meet these goals, CBG and its subcontractors hosted job fairs, actively recruiting from the DCHA employment program. As a result, The Iris achieved Washington, D.C.’s highest CBE and Section 3 participation rates and dollar value to date. The success of The Iris stemmed from strong collaboration between all project stakeholders. The team conducted frequent internal and external meetings to review schedules, address field challenges, and maintain transparent communication with ownership, subcontractors, and designers. BIM technology played a crucial role in resolving design issues, particularly among design-build trade partners who required close coordination. Despite challenges, the project team delivered The Iris on time and on budget by leveraging teamwork, proactive problem-solving, and effective communication, bringing a lively and intricately designed community to the heart of Washington, D.C.