Designing, amassing, and utilizing materials that are respectful of, but not subservient to the historic fabric of the area, HOK’s design helps establish a strong presence in the revitalized neighborhood. Restoring the facades of the row houses on 14th to a more historically appropriate appearance and the subsequently combining a modern massing on W Street that integrates modern and yet historic elements that respect the shorter historic Victorian brownstones that are across the street. A key component to the project was the reconstruction of the YMCA Anthony Bowen. The renovated YMCA included $50,000sq.ft. of space including exercise rooms, a swimming pool, a daycare center, meeting rooms and a roof deck.
With a footprint of 356,600sq.ft., the project’s scale and the existence of five “historically contributing”, early 20th-century row houses on 14th required this project to be approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board and the District of Columbia Office of Planning.