Georgetown University is in the process of repurposing the property located at 111 Massachusetts Avenue NW (nicknamed the “Darth Vader” building). According to the University, the building “is expected to be used as a multi-use education facility for new learning hubs and expanded programming, including programs in the School of Continuing Studies, McDonough School of Business, the Earth Commons Institute, the School of Health, the School of Nursing, and executive education programs.” Construction at the property—which covers a land area of 35,336sf and sits across Massachusetts Avenue from the Georgetown University Law Center and Capitol Crossing—is expected to be complete in the fall of 2025.

According to public records, Georgetown University acquired the property from Jemal’s Darth Vader LLC on December 16, 2021 for $85 million. The DC Government’s CorpOnline database lists Norman Jemal and Douglas Jemal (of Douglas Development Corporation) as the “beneficial owners” of Jemal’s Darth Vader LLC.

The Washington Business Journal reports—citing data from the Department of Education—that in fiscal 2022, Georgetown had Greater Washington’s largest university endowment at $3.21 billion. According to a Georgetown University Consolidated Financial Statements, “[t]he University’s endowment totaled $3,298,969,000 and $3,210,032,000 at June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.”

Last Updated on November 3, 2024 by Ramin Seddiq