With Front Page Closing, WeWork-Owned Dupont Circle Building Applies for a Makeover

• Aug 1st 2019

by Nena Perry-Brown

The "future proofing" wave of office repositioning now includes the soon-to-be-former home of The Front Page restaurant and bar.

The Meridian Group and WeWork Property Advisors, which own 1333 New Hampshire Avenue NW (map), has applied for a modification of the planned-unit development (PUD) which enabled construction of the building back in 1979. Those modifications would renovate the façade, storefront and penthouse to update the 12-story building to modern expectations for office-over-commercial.

The building has a brutalist architectural style with a lot of masonry, deeply-set windows, and a recessed storefront. The new storefront would be brought forward to the property line, and the masonry would be coated in a lighter color. WeWork office space would be added to the penthouse, in addition to amenities, and the penthouse would also be pulled back some to create an outdoor terrace. 

Interior renovations would also update the elevators and stairwells; the 10th floor balcony will also be partially filled in. The PUD also included adjacent historic properties to acquire the needed density, so the owner has consulted with Historic Preservation Office staff and will defer to staff on the final color of the masonry coating. FOX Architects is the designer.

The owner plans to present to ANC 2B in September; a zoning hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/with-front-page-gone-dupont-circle-building-owner-makes-changes/15731.