HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS
The B’nai B’rith property, located on a corner lot near the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., near Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue) on the northern edge of the city’s commercial district, was selected in December 1, 2001 as the site for the Human Rights Campaign’s new headquarters following due diligence reviews of several properties. Located within a one-block radius are The National Geographic Society’s World Headquarters; St. Mathew’s Cathedral, The Indonesian Embassy; The New Zealand Embassy; The Carnegie Institute for International Peace, The Brookings Institute, and Scott Circle. The White House and United States Capitol are within five blocks of this site. The property encompasses approximately 59,000 sq. ft. of useable space.
The original structure was constructed in two phases, the first in 1954 and the second in 1976. The Human Rights Campaign purchased the property from the B’nai B’rith Foundation in April 2002 and completely renovated to update the structure and interiors. Because Human Rights Campaign’s program requires only 40,000 sq. ft., approximately 19,000 sq. ft. is available as third-party income producing space.
The existing structure was in excellent condition, and although the MEP systems and equipment have outlived their useful life, they are very well maintained and in good working order. The elevators are also in good working order but do not meet present ADA requirements. Emergency generators are undersized for today’s emergency requirements. The existing curtain wall system has numerous leaks and has been caulked to prevent leaking, which causes the internal gutter system of the curtain to not function properly. The structure underwent an asbestos abatement, which removed approximately 90% of the asbestos. The remaining asbestos material consists of pipe insulation that is concealed in existing walls or chases and would be removed during any future renovation project.
The team developed a renovation program divided into six phases, as delineated below. These phases allow the client to do as much or as little as they determine to be within their fundraising capacity. The phases are:
- Replace the existing curtain wall system with a new pressure wall system
- Renovate the HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems
- Reconfigure the elevator lobbies and restroom core to be more efficient
- Reconfigure the office spaces to allow for HRC’s program to be located on floors basement thru level5
- Develop third party tenant space on levels 6, 7 and 8
- Replace elevator cabs and equipment with state-of-the-art equipment
Construction began in July 2002, and the building was dedicated in mid-October 2003.
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