East Towers Redevelopment
The Hazel, the East Towers redevelopment, is transforming former surface parking into a mixed-use destination with new housing, neighborhood-serving retail, and a public plaza connecting Howard and the surrounding community.
2026-2027 Academic Year Opening Status: Site work and foundation activity are underway on the East Towers parcels behind Howard Plaza Towers East.
Turning a Campus Edge into a Connected Place
For years, the East Towers parcels served primarily as surface parking. Howard's redevelopment of the approximately 1.85-acre site advances a longer-term vision for the Georgia Avenue and Sherman Avenue corridor: replace an underused parcel with housing, street-level activity, and a development that contributes to both campus life and the surrounding neighborhood.
The Hazel is a planned 525,000-square-foot, 11-story building with 504 residences, including 40 affordable units, approximately 15,000 square feet of retail, and 246 below-grade parking spaces. The project is a partnership among Howard University, Lowe, Affinius Capital, FLGA, and Davenport Group.
A planned 25-foot-wide public plaza along W Street, between 8th and 9th Streets NW, will provide gathering space, protected outdoor dining areas, and a connection between Howard University and the surrounding neighborhood.
Construction in Progress
Preconstruction and permitting work have moved into visible site activity, including foundation preparation and pile driving. Work will continue through multiple construction phases before the building is ready for occupancy. Construction of The Hazel is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.
Once complete, the project will replace a gap in the urban fabric with new homes, businesses, and a more animated pedestrian environment. It will also support the larger DUKE District vision for a connected, mixed-use corridor serving Howard students, faculty, staff, residents, businesses, and neighbors.
The rendering illustrates the current design vision and may evolve as the project advances. Project specifications and the anticipated completion date reflect the September 2026 project update. The construction status above reflects the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year. Schedule targets may change as work progresses.