Site at 2100 L Street to deliver a renovated school and a new trophy office building
(Washington, DC)— A number of corporate executives and District officials gathered at 2100 L Street , NW to celebrate the start of construction of Stevens School and Stevens Place. Akridge and the District of Columbia (DC) have collaborated for 19 years to establish a plan for the historic Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School and an adjacent parcel of land that was previously the school’s playground. As one of DC’s first public
schools built for the education of African American children, Stevens School has significant importance to the city’s history. The developer, a partnership of Akridge, Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE: OFC) (COPT), and Argos Group ,will renovate the school building, which upon completion, will reopen as a DC public school.
Designed by Gary F. Martinez, FAIA of Martinez & Johnson Architecture, the 190,000-square-foot office building will feature multiple facades of floor-to-ceiling glass and a sculptural embellishment designed by renowned artist Jan Hendrix. 2100 L Street boasts efficicent, 20,000-square-foot floorplates and a full host of amenities, including a landscaped rooftop terrace and rooftop lounge, penthouse conference center, fitness
center, art gallery with outdoor terraces, and more. 2100 L Street will deliver in early 2020. The global law firm, Morrison & Foerster LLP, has preleased 43 percent of the building.
The developer worked closely with the District to incorporate several design elements and community outreach that will benefit the surrounding neighborhood. 2100 L Street will honor the Stevens School namesake, Thaddeus Stevens, who was a U.S. Congressman and a strong opponent to slavery. The property will include a rotating art gallery of works from African American artists, as well as a statue outside the building and a feature wall commemorating Thaddeus Stevens. 2100 L Street will provide various community benefits including a college scholarship program for local DC students, as well as a program working with local schools to expose students to real estate development and construction.
“With this project, we’re delivering on our commitment to expand access to early child care,” said Mayor Bowser. “Together, we are giving new life to an important historic landmark, moving forward a long-stalled project, and creating a much-needed resource for our community.”
“Akridge is proud of its role in the Stevens School and 2100 L Street,” said Matt Klein, President of Akridge. “We are eager to strengthen our commitment to the community through both buildings and look forward to delivering a sophisticated and efficient building at 2100 L Street.”
COPT’s President & CEO, Stephen E. Budorick, stated, “We are honored to be an essential member of the team that restores the historic Stevens School to its former greatness, so it can serve the Washington, DC community once again.”