Arris is a luxury apartment building, situated within five million square feet of historic Navy land. The land was converted by Forest City into the master development now known as The Yards. Its reflective outer shell emphasizes its place on the Washington D.C. riverfront, making it one of the most striking places to live in the capital city.

D.C. locations are always rich with history, and the spot where Arris stands is no different. Before the building site became a Navy Yard, the original land survey had been done by George Washington. While the foundation was excavated, the team discovered unexploded shells–vestiges from the building’s past as a munitions factory, where it paired with other nearby buildings for testing in WWI and WWII. Thankfully, after careful and thorough testing, all was safe in the end for Forest City to proceed as planned.

To get this project off the ground, the team prioritized working with the community, gaining their support over time. And like so many Forest City projects, it was important to make sure that a significant amount of affordable housing was available–the team is proud to have 20% in Arris. Working with Robert Stern on the building design was one of the most poignant parts of the project process. Stern cares deeply about detail in everything he does, and gave Arris the special character and curb appeal it is known for today, including the rippling, mirrored top and modulating brick bottom–a nod to the factory forms that were uncovered in the Navy Yard.