-By Jean Nayar; Photography by Ron Solomon Photography

project: The Woodward Building
client: SJG Development
location: Washington, D.C.
designer: Hartman Design Group

Even though history is often worth preserving, it doesn't necessarily have to repeat itself. Take the Interiors Award-winning Woodward Building, for example. The century-old classical revival structure was originally designed as an office building. And thanks to its thoughtful restoration by Rockville, Md.-based Hartman Design Group, all that was venerable from its past has been revitalized. But the building itself has taken on vibrant new life as a contemporary luxury apartment complex.

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., one block from the White House, the building is a cornerstone of the newly designated 15th Street financial district, an historic district that has undergone a recent cultural renaissance, as residents who fled the city after the race riots and assassination of Martin Luther King in the 1960s have returned to live and work.

To adapt the building for its new use as a residential structure that would meet today's demand for downtown living space, owner/developer SJG Development worked to rezone the structure and secure tax-credit status and also enlisted the Hartman Design Group to work closely with the Historic Preservation Society to preserve the integrity of its notable historic elements, while adapting other areas to first-class contemporary residential standards.

"The challenge in the lobby and interior promenade was to retain all of the decorative elements, which included a very damaged marble floor and a series of all-glass storefronts," says principal in charge of the project Phyllis Hartman. "At the same time we needed to make it feel like an elegant residence or hotel." After removing, restoring, and reinstalling all of the exterior windows and repairing and refurbishing the floors, as well as the stone pilasters that punctuate the interior retail promenade, the designers turned their attention to warming the space for its new use. They started by covering much of the floor in the lobby, promenade, and seating areas with elegant Axminster carpets to create a residential quality. They also covered all of the interior glass storefronts with silk-like draperies layered with sheers, softening the space like a procession of elegant ball gowns. In addition, they replaced the lighting with drum-shaped pendants surrounding a core of dangling crystal droplets and furnished the space with classic contemporary pieces, including custom mahogany and mohair benches near the elevators and a freestanding mahogany reception desk with a metallic leather inset embellished with nickel nail heads.

Apart from their restoration efforts, the designers also converted a machine room and maintenance shop on the top floor into a contemporary club room and rooftop deck, adapted two oddly configured interior spaces into a cyber lounge and fitness center, and developed below-grade parking in the basement with the addition of hydraulic lifts. By gracefully merging the building's grand old architecture with apt modern furnishings and accents, they've given the best of its past a fresh way to live on well into the future.

jury comment:
“The reconstruction and restoration of the main lobby area appear to be done with great care and concern. It reestablishes the solidity and honesty of the original construction. A restrained and honest restoration transforms a badly altered lobby into a walk into another era. Classic elegance is revealed anew.”

who
Project: The Woodward Building. Client: SJG Development. Architect: Martinez and Johnson. Interior designer: Hartman Design Group, Inc.; Phyllis Hartman, ASID, LEED AP; Kelly Lankford. Structural engineer: SK&A Engineering. Mechanical/electrical, MEP engineer: GHT, Ltd. General contractor: Davis Construction. Lighting designer: Sharlene Shugarman. Furniture dealer: Hartman Design Group, Inc. Photographer: Ron Solomon Photography.

what
Wallcoverings: Maya Romanoff, Maharam, Koroseal, Innovations, MDC Wallcoverings, Innovations. Lobby Faux Finish: Deiter Plunke Decorating. Paint: Benjamin Moore, ICI, Duron, Sherwin Williams. Laminate: Formica, Nevamar, Pionite. Dry wall, masonry: by contractor. Flooring: Existing marble tile restored. Carpet/carpet tile: Cadence, Bentley-Prince Street, Masland, Atlas. Carpet fiber: Nylon. Rubber flooring: Ecosurfaces. Ceiling, railings: restored. Lighting: Lightspann. Door hardware: Schlage. Window fabricator/restorer: Marvin Windows. Window treatments: Custom drapery by Rockville Interiors. Lounge seating: Charter Furniture, Hickory White, Royal Custom, J. Redmond Designs, John Charles. Tables: Royal Custom, HBF, Westwood Interiors, Century Furniture. Concierge desk millwork, architectural woodworking/cabinet making: Caseworks. Credenzas: Royal Custom. Lighting: Lightspann. Custom area rugs: Galleria International, Ltd. Art: Deljou Fine Art. Party chairs: Brueton. Bar stools: Sandler Seating. Bar tables: Design Within Reach. Upholstery: Gretchen Bellinger, Edelman Leather, Pollack, ArCom, Designtex, Innovations, Zax, Momentum, Osborn and Little, Donghia, Corragio. Planters, accessories: Deljou Fine Art, Arteriors and Interlude. Signage: Pencil Box. Elevators: Kone, Inc. HVAC: AMS of MD. Building management system: TFC Automation. Plumbing fixtures: Kohler, Moen.

where
Location: Washington, D.C. Total floor area: 230,803 sq. ft. No. of floors: 11 plus basement. Average floor size: 20,000. Total staff size: 9-10; not including parking valets (new underground parking created during renovation). Cost/sq. ft.: $3.52.