Boathouse - Watch the adaptive re-use live | Northern Architectural

Northern replaced hundreds of windows and doors at the Watergate Complex in Washington DC --- the infamous location of the Democratic National Committee offices break-in during the Nixon administration.

Now, Northern is helping to rejuvenate the building directly across Virginia Avenue where the Watergate burglars held their stake-out.

Built originally in 1972 as a Howard Johnson hotel, revamped into a George Washington University dormitory for 17 years, the building is now being converted for Mixed-Use with 254 apartments and a restaurant & coffee shop on the ground floor, thanks to the foresight of Urban Investment Partners (UIP) and WDG Architecture 

“We like adaptive reuse of older buildings,” Washington, D.C.-based UIP Principal Steve Schwat commented. “The location is great, near Georgetown, the river, Rock Creek Park and Foggy Bottom Metro.” UIP plans to rechristen 2601 Virginia NW --- “Boathouse”. 

Boathouse amenities will including a sprawling rooftop recreational area with views of the river, a deck, large swimming pool, fire pits, gourmet kitchen and world-class fitness center, a bike-share program, library, multimedia theater and 24-hour honor-based convenience store. The building has underground parking for 200 vehicles, bike storage and care facilities with lockers. 

Northern Architectural is designing and manufacturing super sleek, energy efficient floor-to-ceiling window walls that will transform the dowdy 1970’s façade into a modern sunlight capturing system that is sure to enhance the vibrant lifestyles of its new residents.

This adaptive re-use will allow UIP to keep the existing foundation and concrete floors and columns in place --- saving time and cost, and dramatically reducing the amount of landfill that would have been created.