Building of the Day Tour: The Parks at Walter Reed

The Parks at Walter Reed is a remarkable transformation story. Today, it stands as a model for inclusive, mixed-income/use development.

Welcome to 2026 Architecture Month DC - Building of the Day: The Parks at Walter Reed

The Parks at Walter Reed is a remarkable transformation story, turning a once-closed, 66-acre military hospital campus into a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood. For decades, this historic site sat behind fences, disconnected from the surrounding community. Today, it stands as a model for inclusive, mixed-income and mixed-use development.

Shaped through a decade-long collaboration between the city, local residents, and a master developer, the vision for the site carefully balances past and future. Historic buildings and open spaces have been thoughtfully restored and adaptively reused, preserving the character and legacy of the campus. Alongside them, more than 2,600 new homes, 20% of which are affordable, create a diverse and dynamic residential community.

The historic street grid has been reconnected, opening the site to its neighbors and stitching it back into the fabric of the city. Essential amenities, including a grocery store, day care, and playground, bring everyday convenience and energy to the neighborhood. What was once an isolated institutional campus is now a lively, connected community designed for people of all ages and incomes.

More details available here:https://dcarchcenter.org/event/building-day-tour-parks-walter-reed