Therme says Anacostia spa resort could draw 2M visitors
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Therme in Bucharest, Romania. Photo: Courtesy of Therme Group
Supporters of the European spa company Therme pitched a sprawling wellness resort on the banks of the Anacostia River on Wednesday, as D.C. council members questioned its viability.
Why it matters: Sauna heads suffered a setback earlier this month when likely-next mayor Janeese Lewis George voiced opposition to the current proposal.
The big picture: Therme expects to draw 2 million visitors annually, said John Alschuler, head of Therme Group US, which rallied some local neighbors and community groups to testify in support.
- "What I'm excited about is opportunity," said Council member Trayon White, whose Ward 8 includes the proposed Poplar Point site — a short walk from Anacostia and across the river from Nats Park.
How it works: The Bowser administration's plan involves a land swap with the federal government.
- First, D.C. would spend $35 million to begin designing replacement facilities for the National Park Service at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, an initial step toward opening Poplar Point to development.
- The relocation could take five to seven years, said deputy mayor for economic development Nina Albert, who negotiated the swap.
- Then, the city wants to offer Therme a $1 lease for 20 years to build out what could be a $800 million domed spa.
- Developer RedBrick could build 4,500 to 5,500 units of housing next to it, Albert said.
The intrigue: "There's a lot of curiosity about this project," said Council member Matt Frumin, who — amid questions over Therme's financial viability — asked Alschuler whether the company thinks it'll pencil out.
- "We're highly confident," Alschuler said, predicting that tourists will make up a third of its clientele.
What's ahead: The Council will decide whether to approve the land swap, while the next mayor will have a big say in whether Therme will remain a part of the plan.