1700 K Street NW Rooftop Amenity

1700 K Street NW is a multi-tenant office building that enjoys a prime location at the corner of Connecticut and K Streets in Washington DC’s central business district, directly across from Farragut Square and less than a block from two DC Metro stations. When a building code revision allowed enhancements to commercial rooftops, building owner 1700 K Street Associates, LLC engaged SmithGroup to design a penthouse amenity center for the 12-story tower, originally designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and completed in 2005.

The project expands and updates nearly 6,500 sf of exterior and interior gathering space that is truly multipurpose—ideally suited for myriad uses and users at all times of day. Spaces flow effortlessly and intuitively from indoors to out, providing a variety of seating areas, working environments and a distinctive event/meeting center with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. With an emphasis on high-end hospitality, this versatile upgrade keeps 1700 Street NW at the forefront of DC’s competitive leasing market.

From the elevator bay, walkways and overhangs instinctively guide users to a series of outdoor rooms with casual seating, some under the shade of a trellis embedded with lights for day and evening use. The path culminates on the east side with the striking glass box and large terrace fronting Farragut Square. The glass-enclosed room can function as one large event space or be divided into three spaces, each with its own transparent walls and terrace access.

The expansion takes cues from the Pei building in its materiality, incorporating stone, wood and glass with an updated interpretation. A wood-clad ceiling carries through the interior spaces and as a deep overhang that wraps the glass room on three sides; gray stone flooring extends from the elevator bay across the entirety of the rooftop. Furnishings are flexible and functional, designed to handle a variety of uses and weather conditions.

SmithGroup’s multidisciplinary team proved nimble at addressing numerous challenges, from complying with the code’s stringent setback requirements to integrating HVAC and other infrastructure while preserving the design intent of an unencumbered glass box. The result is a sought-after space that is invisible from the street but a secret jewel for its tenants, further enhancing the building’s upmarket appeal.