JBG SMITH Properties (NYSE: JBGS), a leading owner and developer of high-quality, mixed-use properties in the Washington, DC market, today announced that it has extended Synetic Theater’s lease at 1800 South Bell Street in National Landing, one of the buildings Amazon is slated to occupy as part of their new headquarters.
JBG SMITH has been actively working alongside Amazon to secure a long-term home for the respected cultural organization in National Landing. Under the lease extension, Synetic Theater will continue to occupy its current 12,000-square-foot space through late 2022.
“A thriving arts scene is a vital component of any successful mixed-use community,” said Andrew VanHorn, Executive Vice President at JBG SMITH. “Synetic Theater has been one of National Landing’s leading cultural organizations for nearly a decade, and this agreement ensures that the theater’s work will continue to enrich and inspire the community for years to come.”
Founded by Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili in 1996, Synetic defines theater by blending innovative techniques and movement, investing in artists’ growth, and creating unforgettable visceral experiences for every audience. After partnering with local companies to produce performances, the theater secured its first dedicated venue at 1800 South Bell Street in 2010.
“We are excited for Synetic Theater’s role in the future of National Landing,” said Paata Tsikurishvili, Founding Artistic Director of Synetic Theater. “As we continue to captivate audiences from our long-time home at 1800 South Bell Street, our hope is to be a source of enjoyment to both current residents and those who will be joining National Landing.”
The agreement with Synetic Theater comes three months after Amazon announced that National Landing has been selected as a second headquarters and that JBG SMITH would act as its development, retail leasing and property management partner. Amazon’s HQ2 will house up to 37,850 employees in National Landing.
Starting in mid-2017, JBG SMITH embarked on a comprehensive plan to reposition and reinvigorate National Landing through a broad array of placemaking strategies, which have included thoughtful improvements to the streetscape, sidewalks, parks and outdoor gathering spaces as well as cultivation of locally sourced amenity retail.
Amazon’s selection of National Landing as its second headquarters location allows JBG SMITH to accelerate its long-term plans for additional retail, office and residential development. Late last year, JBG SMITH broke ground on Central District Retail, an approximately 109,000-square-foot, entertainment and shopping destination anchored by an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, specialty grocer, restaurants, bars, and other experiential offerings. Once complete in 2020, it will serve as the retail heart of National Landing.
About National Landing
National Landing is the newly defined interconnected and walkable neighborhood that encompasses Crystal City, the eastern portion of Pentagon City and the northern portion of Potomac Yard. It is situated across the Potomac River from Washington, DC and is one of the region’s best-located urban mixed-use communities. It is defined by its central and easily accessible location, its adjacency to Reagan National Airport, and its base of existing offices, apartments and hotels.
National Landing enjoys ready access to a deep pool of young, highly educated and tech-savvy workers, an abundant supply of affordable office space, diverse housing options, an unparalleled transportation network, and plentiful green space. For more information on National Landing please visit www.nationallanding.com.
About JBG SMITH
JBG SMITH is an S&P 400 company that owns, operates, invests in and develops assets concentrated in leading urban infill submarkets in and around Washington, DC. Our mixed-use operating portfolio comprises approximately 19 million square feet of high-quality office, multifamily and retail assets, 98% of which are Metro-served. With a focus on placemaking, JBG SMITH drives synergies across the portfolio and creates amenity-rich, walkable neighborhoods. JBG SMITH’s future development pipeline includes over 19.0 million square feet of potential development density. For additional information on JBG SMITH please visit www.jbgsmith.com.
