On January 23, 2026, construction officially began on The Geneva, marking a significant moment in the transformation of Washington, D.C.’s urban landscape. This ambitious project, the largest office-to-residential conversion in the city’s history, aims to repurpose the former Universal Plaza office buildings in Dupont Circle into a vibrant, mixed-use complex. The project signals a key shift in how urban real estate is being utilized to meet changing demands, particularly in light of the evolving nature of work and housing needs in metropolitan areas.
The Geneva will rise 15 stories high and include 532 residential apartment units, 60 of which are designated as affordable housing. This portion of the project reflects the city’s ongoing effort to address its housing shortage and make urban living more accessible to a wider demographic. The inclusion of ground-floor commercial space ensures that the building will remain part of the dynamic fabric of Dupont Circle, providing opportunities for local businesses and contributing to the overall vitality of the neighborhood.
The decision to convert the Universal Plaza office buildings into residential units comes at a time when Washington, D.C., like many other cities, is experiencing a shift in office space demand. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend of remote work, and many companies are now rethinking their office needs. This has left office buildings, particularly those in central urban areas, underutilized and contributing to rising vacancy rates. As a result, the conversion of office spaces into housing has emerged as a strategic solution to repurpose these properties and meet the growing demand for housing in city centers.
City officials have emphasized that The Geneva project is a cornerstone of their broader strategy to revitalize downtown Washington. By converting vacant office spaces into residential units, the city aims to inject new life into the heart of the city, creating a more balanced, mixed-use environment. This approach not only addresses the housing shortage but also revitalizes urban areas that have been struggling due to declining office occupancy. The project is seen as an essential step in ensuring that the city remains a vibrant, attractive place to live and work for both current residents and newcomers alike.
What makes The Geneva particularly notable is the financial backing that has made the conversion possible. The project is supported by a combination of tax incentives and financing programs, which have helped make the undertaking financially feasible. These incentives are part of the city’s broader effort to encourage private investment in urban renewal projects. By offering these incentives, the city has been able to attract developers who are willing to invest in projects that help to address pressing housing needs while also contributing to the overall revitalization of the urban core.
The Geneva will also help meet the increasing demand for housing in Washington, D.C., particularly in areas that are easily accessible to public transit, workplaces, and amenities. The development will offer a mix of market-rate and affordable units, creating a diverse living environment that will appeal to a wide range of residents. By transforming office buildings into residential spaces, the project reflects a growing trend in cities across the country, where adaptive reuse is becoming a popular solution to housing shortages and underutilized office space. The conversion also supports the broader environmental and sustainability goals of the city, as repurposing existing structures minimizes the need for new construction and helps reduce the environmental footprint of urban development.
For the city of Washington, D.C., The Geneva is more than just a housing project. It represents a bold new direction for urban development, one that embraces adaptability and sustainability in the face of changing economic and social conditions. By transforming a once-vacant office building into a vibrant residential and commercial hub, the project underscores the city’s commitment to creating spaces that serve the evolving needs of its population.
The Geneva’s development is poised to be a model for other cities facing similar challenges of office vacancies and housing shortages. The success of this project could pave the way for other office-to-residential conversions across the country, offering a blueprint for how urban spaces can be transformed to meet contemporary needs. As the city continues to evolve, projects like The Geneva will play a critical role in shaping the future of Washington, D.C. and other metropolitan areas around the United States.
In conclusion, the launch of The Geneva project marks an exciting new chapter in Washington, D.C.’s real estate development. The conversion of the former Universal Plaza office buildings into a mixed-use residential complex represents an innovative response to the challenges of urban renewal, housing demand, and office space vacancy. With the promise of 532 new residential units and the inclusion of affordable housing, The Geneva will contribute to the revitalization of downtown Washington, offering a sustainable and adaptable model for future urban development. This project not only addresses immediate housing needs but also contributes to the long-term growth and sustainability of the city.
