In this month’s Board Spotlight, we’re proud to share words of wisdom from Andrew Son, CEO of District Wharf Properties, a member of WDCEP’s Board of Directors.
The Wharf has become one of DC’s most-visited destinations. What do you think makes a truly great urban place, and how does that philosophy shape your work at District Wharf Properties?
A big part of the Wharf’s success is that it really functions as a gathering place. A lot of that goes back to the early development and the vision behind the project. Hoffman & Associates and Madison Marquette deserve a lot of credit for the creativity and thought that went into designing the Wharf — there were a lot of intentional decisions made about how to create a real sense of place.
The Wharf includes about 17 acres of parks and public space that we manage, program, and maintain. Those spaces were designed from the beginning to encourage activity and bring people together. Beyond the physical design, we go to great lengths to curate a memorable and safe experience for visitors, concertgoers, tenants, and residents alike. Millions of people visit the Wharf every year, and a substantial percentage of our visitors come from Virginia and Maryland. It’s really become a regional destination, and everything we do is focused on continuing to be that nexus of activity.
How does community play a role in your day-to-day at work?
Community is an important part of the identity of the Wharf. In many ways, it’s the secret sauce of the place. I often think about the Wharf as a mosaic — it brings together people from all walks of life. We own about 904 apartments, and approximately a third of those units are affordable and workforce units. This ensures that the Wharf is home to a diverse mix of residents who truly enrich the fabric of our community. Beyond that, the Wharf has become a gathering place for the region. On a more local level, we spend a lot of time working with the Southwest DC community — closely engaged with the ANC, the DC Council, and local organizations to make sure we’re contributing to the neighborhood and not just operating as a commercial destination. One example of that is the Southwest Farmers Market. We recently announced that we’re bringing it to the Wharf after it relocated from Fourth Street. It’s a great example of how we try to be part of the community while also serving as a regional gathering place.
What has been an invaluable learning lesson from a challenge you’ve faced in your career?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s not enough to simply build something beautiful. Projects like the Wharf, Pike & Rose, or Bethesda Row take an enormous amount of effort to create, but once the development is finished, the work really doesn’t stop. It takes intentional effort to keep a place relevant and successful. Consumer behaviors change, economic cycles change, the way people want to experience places changes. I learned early in my career that just because you build a beautiful project, it doesn’t mean it will become a commercial success. That really reinforced the importance of ongoing programming, activation, and management. The key lesson for me is that building the project is only the beginning — maintaining its identity and relevance takes continuous attention.
What is something you are excited to either solve or spearhead in the next five years?
Something I’m really excited about right now is my recent appointment to the board of the DC Economic Partnership. It gives me the opportunity to be involved in shaping the future economic development of Washington, DC. Over the past year or so, it’s become increasingly clear that the city needs to focus on growing and attracting industry. DC has always been known as a Federal City, but there’s an opportunity for it to become much more than that. There is a collective aspiration for DC to continue its growth as a world-class city, and the work the Economic Partnership is doing is really focused on helping make that possible — attracting businesses and strengthening the city’s economic foundation. Being able to contribute to that effort feels really special. The opportunity to help reshape the nation’s capital in some way is something I’m very excited about.
