Cycle House, a trailblazing project in Truxton Circle, D.C., offers a unique blend of affordable housing and sustainable living. This net-zero energy building targets low- to middle-income families, featuring 18 eco-friendly apartments. Set to open in 2025, Cycle House represents a pivotal step towards inclusive, green urban development.
Read MoreHeleos, a D.C.-based affordable housing firm, recently closed on construction financing for the development of Cycle House with support from LISC and D.C. Green Bank. LISC is funding the energy-efficient property with nearly $8.5 million in predevelopment and construction financing in addition to $11.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits through the National Equity Fund (NEF), a LISC affiliate.
Read MoreSet to break ground in Washington DC this September is Cycle House, the city's first "certified" net-zero energy, affordable housing property. Located at 1520-1522 North Capitol Street NW, this innovative 18-unit building backed by Urban Green and Heleos will provide homes for households earning between 30% and 60% of the median family income (MFI).
Read MoreDance Loft was recently highlighted by the DC Office of Planning as an example of an infill mixed-use project. Located at at 4618 14th St, NW, the Dance Loft redevelopment was approved by the Zoning Commission on September 8, 2022. The infill project includes active ground floor arts uses and five stories of residential above.
Read MoreHELEOS and Dance Loft tout their effort as an innovative solution to two problems with the same cause: the lack of arts spaces and affordable housing, both victims of D.C.’s rapidly rising rent.The plan would double Dance Loft on 14’s size to 19,000 square feet, including two theaters and four dance studios. One of those would face out onto the street, allowing passersby to observe dancers at work.
“It’s really vital to ensure that arts organizations can have permanent homes. And in doing that, it enlivens the community as a whole,” Movius said, adding that the city needs places where artists can practice or make art, in addition to the theaters and galleries where work is displayed. “The more of those spaces that disappear, the less of a grassroots arts culture D.C. will have.”
Read MoreDance Loft on 14 founder Diana Movius observed a pattern over the years as, one by one, she watched other dance rehearsal and performance spaces in D.C. shut down.
“Arts organizations that buy their buildings are the ones that are ensured permanent sustainability,” she said, pointing to Dance Place in Brookland as an example. “The trend in D.C. has been that arts organizations that rent their facilities typically eventually close.” In the past decade, D.C. Dance Collective in Tenleytown and Flashpoint in Penn Quarter were among the latter.
That’s why, a few years ago, she jumped at the chance to buy the building where her organization rented dance space. Movius, a dancer and choreographer, opened the current 8,000-square foot facility in 2015, and learned in 2018 that her landlord would be selling the building.
Read More
