Have you see the National Harbor promotional video? Also, this is a little odd, but you can look at a live Web cam of the progress. Seeing the progress of this project is exciting because it will be a reality soon after years of planning. Hopefully, the success of the National Harbor project will attract high retail developers to other parts of Prince George’s County. The intial opening is scheduled for Spring 2008.
Here are a few highlights of what’s to come at the National Harbor:
- Regular ferry rides from National Harbor to Old Town Alexandria, VA
- Hotels – Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Fairfield Resorts, Hampton Inn, Westin Hotel, Marriot Residence Inn, and W Aloft Hotel
- Restaurants – McCormick & Schmick’s, Grace’s Fortune, Moon Bay Cuisine, Pienza and Old Hickory Steakhouse, Ketchup (partly owned by celebrities Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama and Tara Reid), Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante (also partly owned by Kutcher, Valderrama and Reid), Rosa Mexicano and Grace’s Fortune, Sequoia, and Gallagher’s
- And more…see the National Harbor Web site
Recent National Harbor news –
- “Pr. George’s Gives License To Gaylord – National Harbor Hotel Fought for Liquor Sales” Washington Post (11/30/07)
- “Is The New National Harbor Stealing Business?” (WTOP, 11/07/07)
I am glad that Prince George’s will be getting a large supply of upper-end retail and office space, but wish it were better coordinated with public transit. A ferry across to Alexandria is an attractive tool for tourists but either ferries or express buses from Metro should be an integral part of this new city. The last thing that the metro area needs is more single-occupant vehicle gridlock.
Cheers!