The George Washington University administration is pleased to announce the latest initiative to improve the student and campus experience by relocating the Campus Store to a premier location at the corner of 21st and I streets.
The new store, planned for a fall 2023 opening, will be the retail anchor tenant of Boston Properties newly constructed trophy class building. This superb location just two blocks from Foggy Bottom Metro Station and visible from Pennsylvania Avenue will showcase the GW brand in a spectacular two-story space. At over 16,000 square feet, the space nearly doubles the size of the current bookstore.
“Establishing a more visible and functional campus store aligns well with the academic mission and continuing to enhance the student experience,” said Bruno Fernandes, GW vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer.
The new store will feature expanded merchandise, a children’s book section, a technology store featuring Apple products and a GW Information Technology help desk. Additionally, the expanded space will allow for events such as book readings and lectures.
Seth Weinshel, associate vice president for business services, said he is looking forward to the fall opening of the bookstore.
“World-class universities like GW should have world-class campus stores,” Weinshel said. “The relocation of the Campus Store to the newly built, beautiful space at 2100 Penn will offer GW the ability to have a nationally recognized flagship store. The change in location will allow for greater access, an exceptional customer experience and increased community amenities.”
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue is on land owned by the university leased to Boston Properties under a 75-year contract. As reported by GW Today in 2016, Boston Properties (BXP) was selected by GW to develop 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue and the former Rice Hall at 2121 I St. into a first-class commercial development that will activate the Foggy Bottom Campus with neighborhood-serving retail while creating the opportunity to fund new academic initiatives through the revenue generated through a long-term ground lease.
“We are delighted to partner with Boston Properties to be the building’s anchor retail tenant and can't think of a better location to showcase the university brand and to provide students, their families and the Foggy Bottom community a place to shop and mingle,” said Karen Zinn, GW’s associate vice president for real estate.
“BXP is incredibly excited to finalize a long-term deal with GW to provide a premier, trophy-quality space to house the GW Campus Store,” said Jake Stroman, executive vice president and co-head of the Washington, D.C., region.
“We are excited about the energy and vibrancy this will add to the I Street retail corridor, GW’s ‘main street.’ The GW Campus Store is a perfect complement to the bevy of other options along this corridor, extending from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop to the Western Market. We’re quite proud of the retail offerings provided and curation we’ve led to make this corridor a thriving success.”
