Joint Venture Breaks Ground on Historic School Renovation Project, Adjacent Office Building in D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A joint venture between Akridge, Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) and Argos Group has broken ground on the redevelopment of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Akridge and D.C. officials have collaborated for 19 years to establish a plan for the historic school, which was one of the District’s first public schools built for the education of African American children. As part of the redevelopment, the joint venture broke ground on a 190,000-square-foot office building, located at 2100 L St., on what previously served as the school’s playground. Designed by Martinez & Johnson Architecture, the building features floor-to-ceiling glass, 20,000-square-foot floor plates, a landscaped rooftop terrace and lounge, penthouse conference center, fitness center and an art gallery with outdoor terraces. The building will feature a rotating art gallery of works from African American artists, as well as a statue outside the building and a feature wall commemorating the property’s namesake, Thaddeus Stevens, who was a U.S. congressman. Law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP has preleased 43 percent of the building. The redevelopment will also include a renovation of the school building, which will reopen as a D.C. public school upon completion. The joint venture expects to wrap up construction on the project in late 2020.