WASHINGTON, DC—So Skanska USA is embarking on another office construction in the DC market, this time in the Foggy Bottom submarket, on a site that is within a stone's throw, more or less, from the White House.

As we reported yesterday, Skanska has signed a ground lease with George Washington University to develop on Square 75A, a site on the 2100 block of Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

We spoke with Robert Ward, executive vice president and regional manager of Skanska USA Commercial Development, to get more details about the project. This is what he told us:

About the development costs: Skanska will not comment on that.

The financial terms of the ground lease: Ditto.

The project's address: George Washington University owns 2100 Pennsylvania East and 2100 Pennsylvania West. The Skanska project will be developed at the 2100 Pennsylvania West site. "So the address might be 2100 Pennsylvania West or we could select another address if necessary," Ward says.

The project's current status: It is still in the design phase, which is one reason why Skanska does not want to discuss development costs, Ward says. "What we received from GW is design approved through the PUD but it is by no means a final design.

The date for breaking ground: There isn't one although Skanska would like to start ASAP, Ward says. "There is still a bit to do before that point. The PUD is not permitable; we still have the full design process to get through." His best guess-the project will be ready to begin development late next year.

Is it a spec project: That hasn't been decided yet. It could be, especially as Skanska has done its last two projects in the DC area on spec, Ward says. "But that is decision we make closer to the potential start time."

Will GW be a tenant? Probably not. "I don't think they need the space and in fact we haven't discussed that at all," Ward says. "This is basically land the university controls and now has the opportunity to monetize it."