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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD-The ground has broken on National Harbor, a behemoth endeavor that will encompass seven million sf of mixed-use offerings along the Potomac River near Oxon Hill and Fort Washington, MD.

The Peterson Cos. and Gaylord Entertainment Co. are developing the 220-acre project, which has been helped along considerably by $360 million in various forms of assistance from the State of Maryland and Prince George's County. Assorted plans for developing the sprawling parcel of land has been in the works for more than a decade.

The first segment of National Harbor to get under way is the Gaylord Hotel & Convention Center at National Harbor, a waterfront complex that will feature 1,500 upscale guestrooms among three hotels, 400,000 sf of exhibition and meeting space, 150,000 sf of retail and dining space, 20,000-sf spa and fitness facility and 150,000 sf of retail and dining space. To be situated on 41 acres within the greater National Harbor bounds, the development within a development will cost approximately $565 million to complete and will be the largest hotel and convention center facility in the greater Washington, DC region. Gaylord National also carries the distinction of being the largest hotel project outside Las Vegas to break ground in the US in 2004.