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Vela
Vela
145, N Street Southeast, Washington, DC, United States
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Other Projects by Perkins Eastman
Vela
145, N Street Southeast, Washington, DC, United States
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2023
SIZE
500,000 sqft - 1,000,000 sqft
Vela stands out as an innovative mixed-income residential project in Washington’s lively, fast-changing Navy Yard neighborhood, providing residents with both affordable and luxury apartment choices.
The buildings’ 379 units span one- and two-bedroom apartments, penthouses, and townhome-style lofts, with 76 of those set aside for residents earning up to 50 percent of the area’s median income. Its ground floor offers 16,000 st of retail space, adding to the surrounding neighborhood.
Drawing on “hygge” – the Danish approach to holistic wellness through deliberate design – Vela is built around numerous fitness- and wellness-focused amenities. Its landmark Fjord Fitness Center, set within an eye-catching double-height bridge visible from street level, extends 100 feet across the courtyard and includes a rooftop pool deck with views over Yards Place. Throughout the building, a glass-enclosed staircase ties communal areas together, promoting connection among residents while keeping sightlines open.
The heart of Vela is its 15,000 sf planted courtyard, which doubles as a biophilic escape and a sophisticated stormwater management system. Water runoff passes through specialized bioretention soil, where plant life naturally breaks down water, nutrients, and pollutants, considerably boosting water quality before it flows into municipal systems.
The project also showcases climate resilience through smart design choices: the ground level is positioned well above the 500-year floodplain, and key utility systems are located on the second floor, shielding them from sea-level rise and severe weather.
Combining affordability, sustainability, and bold design, Vela raises the bar for what future Navy Yard developments can be.
The buildings’ 379 units span one- and two-bedroom apartments, penthouses, and townhome-style lofts, with 76 of those set aside for residents earning up to 50 percent of the area’s median income. Its ground floor offers 16,000 st of retail space, adding to the surrounding neighborhood.
Drawing on “hygge” – the Danish approach to holistic wellness through deliberate design – Vela is built around numerous fitness- and wellness-focused amenities. Its landmark Fjord Fitness Center, set within an eye-catching double-height bridge visible from street level, extends 100 feet across the courtyard and includes a rooftop pool deck with views over Yards Place. Throughout the building, a glass-enclosed staircase ties communal areas together, promoting connection among residents while keeping sightlines open.
The heart of Vela is its 15,000 sf planted courtyard, which doubles as a biophilic escape and a sophisticated stormwater management system. Water runoff passes through specialized bioretention soil, where plant life naturally breaks down water, nutrients, and pollutants, considerably boosting water quality before it flows into municipal systems.
The project also showcases climate resilience through smart design choices: the ground level is positioned well above the 500-year floodplain, and key utility systems are located on the second floor, shielding them from sea-level rise and severe weather.
Combining affordability, sustainability, and bold design, Vela raises the bar for what future Navy Yard developments can be.
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