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The east lobby of 655 New York Avenue.

The connector linking the east and west lobbies, with the preserved
rear façades of historic buildings at left.

The building’s three entrances—two on New York and the that offers quiet and relaxation under the cover of the curved
other on 7th—are connected by an interior “street” that makes form,” Burkhart said. “From the street, it’s not obvious that such
good use of the preserved older buildings. “The connector that a space exists here.”
links the east and west lobbies was created by the preserved Burkhart’s favorite aspect of the project “is the integration of
rear facades of two historic buildings on New York Avenue on so many elements, old and new, in a manner that is discordant
one side, and by elegant new walls on the other,” the firm said. and harmonic at the same time. I think it is particularly evident
“Wherever possible, the side and rear brick walls of historic in walking around the block, where each street edge has a
buildings are exposed to the interior office spaces.” A newly unique character and is never boring.”
added curvilinear wall in the east lobby echoes the curving The project was completed in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
forms of the tower above. As for how the pandemic might affect the design of future
“Our goal was to retain as much of the original fabric, office buildings, Burkhart said that “without a crystal ball there
including floor framing, as possible,” Burkhart said. “Most is no easy answer,” but that “a few broad themes appear to
historic floor plates were retained and integrated into the overall be evolving, including programming and spatial design that
floor plates. Level changes were accomplished via ramps or lifts.” fosters social interaction both physically and electronically in a
Perhaps the biggest challenge involved in joining the historic safer environment; a heightened importance of daylight, views,
buildings to the new construction, he added, “had to deal with and ventilation; and the provision of a variety of interior and
stabilizing foundation settlement and providing for differential exterior office environments, including ample outdoor spaces
floor plate expansion between old and new construction.” suitable to a climate like ours.”
On the tower’s upper floors, “the undulating form of the Several of the blocks surrounding Mount Vernon Square
typical floor plate responded to the interior planning [in which] have been redeveloped in recent years, and 655 New York now
communal spaces would be placed at the perimeter, along with contributes to the broader urban design. The square “is unique
open-plan desking,” Burkhart said. “Enclosed spaces would be in that the former Carnegie Library is the centerpiece of a table-
placed inboard to maximize daylight penetration into the floor.” top setting, with the Convention Center at the head of the table,”
The tower’s ten-story atrium admits additional light to the Burkhart said. “The convention center hotel to the west and [655
center of each floor, while setbacks provide building occupants New York Avenue] to the east frame the centerpiece with vibrant
with abundant outdoor space. activity housed in their own distinctive forms.”
“For me, the Level 2 terrace behind the historic buildings
along 7th Street is almost a sanctuary in the hectic urban context

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