DUPONT CIRCLE DEVELOPMENT
The Riggs National Bank
DUPONT CIRCLE DEVELOPMENT
The Riggs National Bank
The proposed Riggs Bank Dupont Circle Development was to be a mid-rise, mixed-use building on a prominent site on the northwestern edge of Dupont Circle. The site, bounded by Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenues and 20th and Q Streets, consists of the existing Riggs Bank Dupont Circle office, and a row of commercial properties with housing above, designed by the important architect, George Ray.
The project was to consist of approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and 146,000 square feet of office space on five upper floors, as well as the restoration of the George Ray row houses along Connecticut Ave. A grand ionic portico was to face onto Massachusetts Avenue giving access from the south, while multiple entrances on the Connecticut Avenue facades took advantage of the existing shops of the row house architecture. Additionally, there was to be a major entrance on the semicircular facade immediately beside the Dupont Circle Metro Station entrance.
The project explored the use of design themes common to much of the public architecture of this area. The ground and mezzanine floor levels, which were contained within the rusticated base of the building, would have read as one grand floor. The upper floors are clad in brick with important features and groupings of windows framed by limestone moldings and ornament. Several floor levels are articulated with string courses. The fifth floor, set back from the perimeter, a device commonly used on Washington buildings such as the Federal Triangle, creates a lower sight line and makes the building appear less massive. Many of the design motifs were inspired by large-scale, residential buildings, such as the headquarters of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is a few blocks from this site.
The materials of the building were to be steel-frame with a limestone facade at the first two stories. The upper level facades were to be of white brick with limestone trim. Windows at the lower floors were designed to be bronze, with aluminum windows at the upper floors. The roof was to be terracotta tiles. Parking for 270 cars was to be provided below grade. Please also refer to the related Paul Cushman III Pavilion and International Banking Riggs National Bank projects.
