Therme DC: What We Know About the $500M Wellness Resort at Poplar Point

Washington, D.C. is set to get something completely new: a $500 million European-style wellness resort and indoor waterpark called Therme DC. Developed by Therme Group, a global operator of thermal bath and wellness destinations, the resort will anchor the redevelopment of Poplar Point, a 110-acre stretch of land along the Anacostia River in Ward 8, just across the river from Nationals Park.

When complete, Therme DC will span roughly 500,000 square feet on 15 of those acres, with thermal baths, dozens of saunas and steam rooms, indoor and outdoor waterslides, swim-up bars, botanical gardens, and adult-only relaxation zones. It is Therme Group's first U.S. project and one of the largest planned wellness developments anywhere in the country.

Here is everything we know about the project as of 2026: the current status, the amenities, the economic impact, and what could shift the timeline.

Poplar Point: The Site of D.C.'s Next Waterfront District

Therme DC is the anchor of a much larger 110-acre redevelopment vision for Poplar Point. The site has sat largely undeveloped for decades despite being one of the last significant waterfront opportunities on the East Coast.

The plan divides the site into three pieces:

• 15 acres for Therme DC, the wellness resort and indoor waterpark
• 25 acres for mixed-use development, expected to include housing, retail, and dining
• 70 acres of public riverfront park, connected to existing Anacostia Park and the Anacostia River Trail

The new park alone would make Poplar Point the District's second-largest park after Oxen Run, with daylit waterways, restored wetlands, neighborhood parks, a water taxi terminal, and pedestrian connections to the Frederick Douglass and 11th Street bridges.

Why Poplar Point and Why Now

The site has been targeted for development since 2006, when Congress passed the DC Lands Act directing the National Park Service to transfer the property to the District. That transfer has been waiting on a series of requirements, including a Master Plan, an Environmental Assessment under NEPA, and the relocation of existing NPS facilities and the U.S. Park Police helipad currently on site.

Therme Group and the District first announced their mutual interest in 2023. In March 2025, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that Therme had been selected through the District's Request for Expressions of Interest as the anchor developer, subject to the EA process. Therme Group US is partnering with The Georgetown Company as its exclusive development partner for the project.

What Therme DC Will Include

Therme Group operates large-scale wellness destinations across Europe, including Therme Bucharest, the world's first LEED Platinum-certified wellbeing infrastructure, which draws around 10,000 visitors a day. Therme Erding in Germany is the largest wellbeing destination in the world. Therme DC is positioned as the U.S. flagship, and the company is targeting the same LEED Platinum certification at Poplar Point.

The 500,000 square foot facility is planned to include:

• Thermal baths and mineral pools designed for relaxation and therapeutic use
• More than 20 themed saunas, steam rooms, and wet rooms ranging from Finnish-style to aromatic
• Indoor and outdoor waterslides ranging from family-friendly to high-thrill
• Swim-up bars and adult-only relaxation zones
• Botanical gardens and greenhouse walkways for year-round indoor green space
• On-site wellness and fitness programs including yoga, Pilates, and aqua aerobics
• Live entertainment, art installations, and cultural programming
• Full-service restaurants, cafes, and lounges

The facility is designed to operate year-round and appeal to a broad mix of visitors, from families to wellness-focused adults to seniors. Therme has committed to offering discounted entry for D.C. residents, students, seniors, and local community groups as part of its accessibility plan.

Economic and Community Impact

Beyond the resort itself, Therme DC is being positioned as one of the largest economic catalysts in Ward 8 in decades. The project's announced impact:

• 5,000 local construction jobs during the multi-year build
• 720 permanent jobs in hospitality, wellness, and operations once open
• $1.5 billion in tax revenue projected over 25 years
• An estimated 2 million annual visitors, drawing from across the DMV and beyond
• A hyperlocal hiring and training plan focused on building a workforce from Wards 7 and 8

"This is a unique opportunity for DC and an economic driver for Ward 8, creating jobs, attracting visitors, and delivering new opportunities for our residents," Mayor Bowser said when the District selected Therme's proposal.

Robert Hammond, the president of Therme Group US and the co-founder of The High Line in New York City, is leading the project on Therme's side. His track record with public-private redevelopment in major urban centers is part of why the District selected the proposal.

Current Status: Where Things Stand in 2026

This is the part that has shifted significantly since the project was first announced, and where most coverage online is now out of date.

The land transfer is not complete. The District is still working through the federal process required by the DC Lands Act, including the Environmental Assessment and Master Plan. That process is expected to run through the winter of 2026, after which the EA must be reviewed and finalized. Only then can the land be transferred from the National Park Service to the District.

The National Capital Planning Commission is reviewing multiple plan alternatives. The current draft plan, presented at a community meeting in May 2025, identifies Therme DC as the anchor surrounded by greenspace, with mixed-use development near the bridges and along the eastern edge closer to Anacostia. Other alternatives prioritize different configurations of green corridors and wetlands.

Construction and opening dates have not been officially confirmed. The original public messaging targeted construction beginning in 2026 with an opening around 2028. As of 2026, Therme Group's own materials state that the "official construction date and more design details are to be announced," and dates depend on the EA process, NPS facility relocations, and final approvals.

For real estate buyers tracking this market: the project is moving forward, but the timeline is realistically longer than the early announcements suggested. A 2028 opening is no longer a sure thing. Anyone making investment decisions around a specific Therme DC opening date should plan accordingly.

What Therme DC Means for D.C. and Northern Virginia Real Estate

Therme DC is more than a Ward 8 story. Its location, just across the Anacostia from Capitol Hill and Navy Yard and a short drive from Alexandria and National Harbor, positions it as a regional draw. When operational, the project is expected to influence real estate dynamics across a wide footprint:

• Higher demand for nearby housing in Anacostia, Historic Anacostia, Navy Yard, and Capitol Hill
• Infrastructure investment along the Anacostia waterfront, South Capitol Street, and connecting bridges
• Property value tailwinds in Ward 8 specifically, where decades of disinvestment are starting to reverse
• Spillover to Northern Virginia as a weekend destination for buyers in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax
• Complementary growth with existing waterfront successes like The Wharf and The Yards

For anyone watching D.C. and Northern Virginia real estate as a long-term investment, Poplar Point is one of the most important projects to follow. Like the November 2025 video on major developments transforming Northern Virginia covered, the DMV is in the middle of one of the largest waves of capital investment in its history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therme DC