YMCA National Capital to Become Trophy Office Building in D.C.

By Bogdan Odagescu, Associate Editor

The Former YMCA National Capital, Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.—Real estate company Akridge just announced its acquisition of the former YMCA National Capital building in central Washington, D.C., which closed at the end of 2015.

Together with Boston-based Alcion Ventures, the new owner plans major renovations and the repurposing of the building at 1701 Rhode Island Ave., into a 100,000-square-foot trophy boutique office. Hickok Cole Architects is in charge of the redesign and the project is scheduled for delivery by mid-2018. Akridge’s leasing team has already started looking for tenants.

Sitting at the corner of 17th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, the building is situated in the heart of Downtown, at the confluence of the Central Business District, 14th Street, and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. Within a 15-minute walk from Lafayette Square, the George Washington University, and Dupont Circle, the office-to-be offers easy access to a plethora of restaurants and retailers.

The property, which will be renamed 1701 Rhode Island, is looking at major renovations. The repurposing plans, scheduled to kick-off early 2017, include the complete replacement of all facades, placing of infilling floor slabs where a gymnasium and racquetball courts currently exist, and turning a swimming pool into a two-story underground parking garage. The resulting modern office will include a two-story lobby, fitness facility, rooftop terrace, and conference spaces.

Image courtesy of YMCA, D.C. via Flickr