THE FOLD

The Fold condominium will be located on the footprint of the former gymnasium of the school, which was later repurposed as the African American Civil War Museum, and constructed during Phase II of the redevelopment. The space will be renovated and expanded horizontally (north and south) and vertically with an additional 4th floor, set back from the rear east wall below by approximately 9 feet, and from the north and south walls below by approximately 8 and 20 feet, respectively. The four-story (approximately 43.75 feet tall) rear structure will rise approx. 44 feet and house 40 residences. Thirty percent of the residences (approximately 12 units) will be designated affordable units. Half of these will be reserved for households earning up to 50% MFI, and half for households earning up to 80% MFI.The Project will provide 21 parking spaces, six of which will be located within The Fold. The remaining 15 spaces will be surface spaces located to the south and east of the Grimke School structure.

The Grimke School redevelopment site includes 1923 -1925 Vermont Ave NW and the adjacent parking lot at 920 U Street NW. The project is one of eleven shuttered District schools in various stages of redevelopment through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). Following an extensive historic restoration effort, the Grimke School will house approximately 65,000 square feet of loft-style office and cultural arts space, including the international headquarters of architecture firm Torti Gallas + Partners and the new permanent home of the African American Civil War Museum.

Included is the the 91⁄2 Street Initiative, a collection of apartments (The Thread), work spaces and 'cultural beacons' that celebrate the District’s rich artistic character and entrepreneurial spirit. Located along 91⁄2 Street, at U Street and Vermont Avenue, the 91⁄2 Street Initiative is the result of a decade‐long effort and collaboration between Community Three, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and the African American Civil War Museum. The effort contains the redevelopment and new construction of approximately 133,000 square feet adjacent to the U Street Metro Station.