The Wharf, District Square

The water features at District Square in D.C.’s Wharf are a striking centerpiece that bring motion and tranquility to the urban plaza. The main fountain consists of a rectangular pool with choreographed jets that shoot upward in elegant, ever-changing patterns. Water cascades down three stories into the parking garage below. Flanking the square are two dramatic waterwalls — broad, stone-clad surfaces where thin sheets of water cascade continuously, creating a soothing backdrop of sound and shimmer. The features are as visually engaging at night, when soft lighting highlights the water’s movement, as they are during the day — always encouraging passersby to pause or eat nearby.