In 2016, the dedicated heroes of FEMS Engine 13/Ambulance 10 will move in to the first brand-new fire station the District of Columbia has built in over two decades. Nelson Architects was selected to by E Street Development Group to work with the city as it focuses on improving the fire department’s response times and providing first-responders with modern facilities.

“Not only is it a beautiful station, but it is going to allow these men and women to do their job a lot safer,” said Chief Gregory Dean of the DC’s Fire and EMS Department. At a November ribbon-cutting ceremony, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called the project a “win­-win.”

The state-of-the-art facility features radiant heat in the floors, 40-foot-wide hydraulic doors, a training area with a repelling wall, and a spacious fitness room.

“400 E St SW is a beautifully designed mixed­-use project that is the manifestation of a successful public­ private partnership,” said Geoffrey Griffis, Managing Member of E Street Development Group. “From day one, our team was committed to developing a project that would truly serve the community.”

Nelson Architects was tasked with the unique challenge of insulating the audible activity of a fire station from the guests and staff in the hotel that occupies the same building. Nelson Architects employed its experience with mixed-use properties, and worked closely with the hotel’s designer and an acoustical engineer to address the potential noise problems.

Leading the overall project team was Jane Nelson, Principal at Nelson Architects. “We have always worked in technically challenging projects, but it’s rare to work on project where both commercial and residential design strategies are so integrated,” Ms. Nelson said. “Even more importantly, it is an honor to provide the District’s dedicated first-responders with this comfortable and efficient station.”
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On Wednesday May 6, the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office, part of the Office of Planning, presented the winners of the 2015 Annual Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation at the DAR Constitution Hall. Sponsored in partnership with the DC Preservation League and the Daughters of the American Revolution, the event drew a crowd of over 500 preservationists, community activists, ANC commissioners and developers. The evening of honors was followed by a celebratory reception in the grand lobbies of the historic Constitution Hall.

“Since 2003, the District government has honored over 200 outstanding projects, programs and individuals for exemplary work and commitment to historic preservation in Washington, DC. This year’s awards recognize 44 individuals, businesses, District agencies and local organizations,” noted David Maloney, State Historic Preservation Officer.
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We are thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of 400 E ST SW, the future home of Engine 13 ! City dignitaries attended the ceremony in December including Mayor Vincent Gray and DC FEMS Chief Ellerbe.
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This project is the culmination of a public-private partnership and the first project in DC where a high rise is built above a new modern fire station. The project provides a practical urban solution to promote high density development within the city while providing an essential city service. It is the type of model that will continue to be used as the population grows and land in this city becomes scarce. And, yes there will be a slide pole in the new fire station.
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Monument Realty’s purpose for 2055 L Street was simple: To attract new office condo owners by updating the façade of the nondescript 1964 building that housed Verizon switch gear, and increasing space with the addition of an 8th floor. Nelson Architects’ response to the design challenge was to update the existing marble and greenstone façade by providing a new entrance canopy, reconfigure the corner of 21st and L Street for retail use, update the building lobby, and remove existing dark brown stone panels at street level and replace them with frosted glass and decorative metal storefront.
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The design strategies for the new 8th floor and cornice included:

• Extending the vertical rhythm of the façade with the new curtain wall mullions.
• Introducing a walk-out terrace covered by a pergola.
• Connecting the existing and new by use of metal fins supporting the pergola.
• Reinforcing the presence of the greenstone by employing green spandrel panels.
• Repeating the pattern of the frosted glass at street level.
• Contrasting the metal color of the canopy, fins and pergola with that of the façade.

The result is that Monument sold all of the available office condos within months of the project completion.