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“Speakeasy.” Photo © Tom Harris of Tom Harris Photography

Downtown Bethesda and flood the main reception level and
mezzanine with natural light. The original structural steel and
masonry of the building are fully exposed and play against
broad expanses of warm wood. “This is the headquarters of a
leading property development company that shapes our built
environment,” said Leffelman. “We thought it was important to
showcase the craft of how buildings are constructed. We didn’t
want to hide anything.”
A living green wall, its luxuriant foliage maintained by
an electronic watering system, is an organic feature and a
focal point on the main reception level. Throughout the space,
comfortable, casual furnishings are an eclectic mix of pieces that
one could find in a hip city loft, conveying a living-room vibe.
In addition to glassy conference rooms, huddle spaces,
and telephone booths, each floor includes a lounge, and one
floor boasts a “speakeasy” with a suspended floating fireplace. Lounge. Photo © Tom Harris of Tom Harris Photography
Communal gathering spaces ring the periphery of each level
near the floor-to-ceiling windows while individual desks occupy installed around one of its big projects.” A large ceiling mural
the interior central core. of a lion (the company logo) is outlined in lights dramatically
On the fourth floor, a lunchroom/café opens to a heated evoking the constellation of Leo. And every steel bolt cover on
roof deck with generous dining space and shaded seating areas, the Showcase Stair is embossed with the JBG SMITH New York
wired with audio and video capability. Stock Exchange symbol.
Meticulous attention to detail, craft, and branding is “These details were really important to us in building our
on display everywhere. “The company has a longstanding culture,” said Yagi. And we had fun with it, letting employees
interest in public art and there are several examples of that in discover these small touches as we moved into the space. We
this space,” said Leffelman. He pointed to the colorful graphic worked with Partners by Design over two years on this project
design of the wall coverings in several huddle rooms. “These are and they couldn’t have been better collaborators.”
replications of the construction site fence wrap JBG SMITH

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