Balfour Beatty Breaks Ground on DC Apartments

Balfour Beatty’s U.S. division has begun construction on Portals IV — also called 1301 — a $260 million luxury apartment project overlooking Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin and national monuments, the company announced on July 2.

Located at 1301 Maryland Ave. SE, the 525,000-square-foot building is part of The Portals Complex, a large-scale public-private partnership with the District of Columbia valued at more than $2 billion. Once complete, the entire complex will span around 3 million square feet, according to the company.

The development already features Class-A office towers and the Salamander Hotel, and will expand its residential offerings with Portals IV and the neighboring building 1331. The new property will add 356 market-rate apartments and amenities like a rooftop pool, sky terrace with grills and firepits, piano lounge, coworking spaces, a dog spa and park, fitness center and game lounge with a sports simulator.

“Our expertise in delivering successful projects across Southwest D.C. demonstrates our deep understanding of this unique development and our ability to deliver complex construction projects in one of D.C.’s most prestigious locations,” said Art Malacarne, Balfour Beatty senior vice president of Mid-Atlantic operations.

Portals IV arrives at a moment of renewed development momentum in the District’s Southeast. In April, the Washington Commanders signed a $4 billion agreement to return to the RFK Stadium campus nearby, with a projected stadium opening in 2030 — though local political hurdles could still impact that timeline.

The new apartment tower joins other significant additions to the area, including The Stacks, a major residential development in Buzzard Point.
Portals IV is expected to help activate the surrounding neighborhood, bringing more residents closer to D.C.’s waterfront and reinforcing Southwest’s transformation into a live-work-play hub. Balfour Beatty said the project will generate hundreds of construction jobs and new economic activity for local businesses.

In line with the city’s goals for high-end housing near transit and iconic sites, the project’s design aims to blend premium amenities with panoramic views of the National Mall and riverfront. Leasing for the new residences is expected to begin once construction reaches substantial completion, which is anticipated in 2027.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.