A SPACE
 FOR COMMUNITY

What makes Congress Heights special is our mix 
of people, personalities and experiences. To bring Sycamore & Oak to life, hundreds of residents across different backgrounds, generations and areas of work shared their perspective and insights.

Thanks to their input through surveys, community meetings, conversations over the phone and 
over coffees, Sycamore & Oak is the place we’ve dreamed up together.

A SPACE FOR EXPERIENCES

© Dror Baldinger FAIA

A SPACE FOR EVENTS

Bring your crew to a range of programmed events. Or just relax and hang out in the dedicated stage and seating area.

© Dror Baldinger FAIA

A SPACE FOR FUN

Enjoy watching your little ones explore the playground designed by our partner Kaboom!, an organization on a mission to spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for communities of color.

© Dror Baldinger FAIA

A SPACE FOR WELLNESS

Work out in the fitness space where WeFitDC will host classes alongside a market offering fresh produce.

A SPACE FOR GROWTH

Supporting local entrepreneurs

Thanks to the Incubate the Eight program, when you visit Sycamore & Oak, you’ll be supporting Black-owned and operated businesses from the area.

Our first group of vendors come from Ward 7 and 8:

Job training & development

Each year more than 100 local folks will be given opportunities to get into security, retail and carpentry.

Built by local companies

Sycamore & Oak has worked with local minority owned businesses to build and support the construction and operations of the project. In line with our hyperlocal vision, some of the furniture is even made from the wood of street trees from the surrounding area.

A SPACE FOR NATURE

From the local businesses the community can support to the different ways friends and family can come together, every element of Sycamore & Oak was designed with intention.

The eco-friendly nature of this project is no different. We’re aiming to set a new standard in how Sycamore & Oak was built and will keep operating in the community for years to come. 

WE’RE GOING GREEN IN MANY WAYS:

  • Renewable energy through use of solar power.

  • Carbon-negative building materials like sustainably grown and harvested mass timber, as well as reduced carbon and carbon-capturing concrete.

  • Advanced heating and cooling using the highest efficiency strategies, including sewer heat recapture and shared thermal infrastructure.

  • Reduced water usage thanks to storm water retention and reuse.

  • Energy conservation and reduction using high-efficiency glass, lighting and thermal management.

  • More innovations including urban farming and hyper-locally sourced building materials. We’re also exploring new technologies like passive cooling and air-water capture.