Rappaport’s Director of Leasing and Brokerage, Thomas Bolen III, sat down with Rappaport CEO, Gary Rappaport, and WC Smith CEO and Chairman, Chris Smith, for a fireside chat at Bisnow’s Future of Wards 7 & 8 event to discuss the development of Skyland Town Center. The talk was divided into four phases, beginning with the inception. Smith recalled the launch of DC’s National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) under Mayor Tony Williams, an effort to spur development in underserved neighborhoods.
Smith’s choice to invest in Wards 7 & 8 was, at that time, radical. Bolen moved, then, into a discussion of the process of development and Smith and Rappaport’s handshake deal which cemented their partnership. Rappaport recalled meeting with countless community members to better understand their needs and desires for a quality mixed-use town center, explaining that development that doesn’t consider and cater to the community cannot be sustained. Hardships in securing an anchor finally abided in 2019, when Lidl was signed to Skyland, ushering in “the delivery” phase of Bolen’s discussion.
Lidl’s deal opened the door for countless other retailers to populate the center including Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. In the final phase of the discussion, Smith revealed the future plan for the currently undeveloped portions of the center, which includes the construction of a senior living center, townhomes, and park space. Gary Rappaport and Chris Smith look forward to continuing their commitment to the people of Wards 7 & 8 and hope that the ongoing success of Skyland Town Center will encourage more to invest in the prosperity of Southeast DC.
