City Center DC

The ten-acre site of the former Washington Convention Center occupies a strategic position in the East End of downtown Washington, bordering the main city axis of New York Avenue with views towards the White House. Previously enclosed by a single, vast structure, the masterplan is designed to break the site into smaller, pedestrian blocks. The plan bridges new connections between diverse downtown communities, from the historic and predominantly residential neighbourhoods in the north to the commercial office developments to the south. The concept is rooted in the fabric of the streetscape and local climate and engages with the distinctive urban identity of the city. Drawing inspiration from European street patterns, which break the existing grid system, the scheme reinstates and expands the original 18th century alleyways that run between the blocks. The tree-lined avenues, complete with classic Washington ‘globe’ street lights, are re-planted with local species to integrate seamlessly with the historic context.

The practice has designed four buildings within the mixed-use scheme, which brings together hotels, offices, apartments, restaurants and shops. Designed to be human-scaled in contrast with the imposing scale that characterises the surrounding area, the buildings step down from ten storeys at the perimeter of the site to frame a central plaza, a civic focus where the streets and pathways converge. At the entrance to the plaza, a glass ‘jewel box’ – a flexible, transparent space suitable for a shop or café – provides a distinctive meeting point. Further extending the public realm, a park in the north-west corner of the site includes a landmark fountain, and is intersected by diagonal pathways, which echo the pattern of alleyways through the development.

The ground-level shops, cafes and restaurants are grouped according to their function, with ‘H Street’ specialising in destination retailing, alleyways lined with speciality shops, and, restaurants, designer and boutique brands concentrated along I Street. The landscape, office and apartment buildings are oriented according to the pattern of the sun and incorporate green roofs to absorb water – the scheme aims to recycle 100 percent of the water used on site. Many of the condominium units feature generous balconies and terraces, which are individually designed by Kathryn Gustafson, and are oriented to maximise daylight and passive environmental benefits.



Client: Hines / Archstone-Smith
Consultants: Thornton Tomasetti (Offices), SK&A (Condominiums), Hines, Tolk, GGN, Claude Engel