Horton’s Kids
Project Type: Adaptive Re-Use
Space Use: Education, Event
Location: Washington, D.C.
Project Size: 10,000 SF
JM Zell Services Provided: Acquisition, Design & Construction Project Management
In 2021, Horton’s Kids negotiated a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of a former church located at 2233 Hunter Place, SE Washington D.C. Horton’s Kids' vision for the property was to create a community hub and resource center featuring dedicated gathering and education spaces, food distribution, and back-of-house office and administrative support areas. To ensure that the necessary construction project infrastructure was in place prior to closing, Horton’s Kids engaged JM Zell to serve as the owner’s representative and construction project manager. JM Zell successfully provided oversight from due diligence, financing, and pre-construction activities through construction and delivery.
Transitioning from vision to reality, the property required significant due diligence efforts given its existing configuration as a church and its overall condition. In this context, JM Zell organized multiple sub-consultants to mitigate purchase risks while simultaneously planning for the construction project, ensuring alignment with Horton’s Kids' fundraising efforts.
To further facilitate this process, JM Zell conducted an in-depth study of the property that encompassed structural, environmental, zoning, and use analyses. Collaborating with MCN Build, we analyzed the constructability and cost of the envisioned improvements, enabling Horton’s Kids to meet both approval and funding requirements.
As the project moved into the construction phase, JM Zell provided its full suite of owner’s representation and construction project management oversight services. We dedicated various experts to the project, maintaining onsite presence, managing all project record-keeping, and reviewing and processing monthly pay requisitions. This comprehensive approach ensured that the client was fully informed of the project’s status—both physically and financially—while also identifying potential issues and mitigation strategies. Project closeout, client occupancy, and ongoing operations were successfully facilitated.
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