A W Hotel will finally open in Washington DC

November 29, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Starwood Hotels & Resorts officially announced the conversion of the Hotel Washington into the W Hotel Washington DC. I first mentioned this conversion back in late October, I was happy to see that W is finally expanding into Washington DC – one of the few major metropolitan areas in America where it does not have a presence. As I mentioned in my October post, it will be closing on January 1, 2008 (apparently New Years Eve will be the last night to stay) and will take approximately a year for top-down renovations to occur including a rooftop terrace and bar, as well as 11th floor (the top floor) meeting rooms and will open in 2009.

The W Hotel Washington DC is incorporating a feature which I have noticed that W is beginning to implement in a lot of their new projects – a rooftop bar (off the top of my head I know the W Dallas, & W NYC Downtown has them – the NYC Downtown has two) which is something that not too many major brand hotels seem to have. The W Hotel Washington DC does not have a residential component, most likely due to its being a conversion and lack necessary of space for both a hotel & residence.

What makes this hotel unique is its location – it is literally across the street from the White House, and is within walking distance to many of Washington’s Monuments and attractions.

From the press release:

Originally built as a retail store and apartment building in 1888, the 11-story property was transformed into a hotel in 1917 by the same architects who designed the Senate and the House on Capitol Hill. [it's unclear if they are referring to the Senate and House office building or not]

Map image

The W Hotel Washington, in the center of the picture, to the right is the Intercontinental Washington, to the left is the US Treasury building, and to the bottom right is the lawn on the side of the White House

I’m very eager to see what this renovation will do to the hotel’s character. Currently its known as one of Washington’s exclusive hotels and is frequented by guests who enjoy a traditional (read: old fashioned) luxury hotel – in regards to decorations, furniture, fixtures, etc. Up until now, the Hotel Washington has kept its original feel from when it opened, but – W’s style is modern, and edgy. Will the renovation keep that traditional feel – with the W’s style fused into it? or will the traditional feel be completely removed?

I’m hoping that the W’s Design Team will find a way to mesh both the modern, edgy style of the W brand with the traditional feel of the hotel – I don’t think that W is one to change the entire character of such a historic hotel, yet I know W would have no qualms about infusing their style into it – which I think is great.

I hope that we will see some renderings soon, but I have a feeling not much will be shown publicly until soon before its opening.

andrew@alconic-inc.com

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There Are 7 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Kenney on November 29 2007:

    I would expect that they will have no problem meshing modern and traditional. The W Chicago – City Center is in a historic building and has perhaps my favorite “Living Room” of any W.

  2. Comment by Andrew Calvo on November 29 2007:

    Kenney – Thanks for pointing that out. I have never been to Chicago, so I was not aware, but I did look though the pictures of the City Center W – and you are right – it’s a very traditional hotel, with the W style infused within.

    I hope they do something similar with the W Washington DC.

  3. Comment by ICONNIC on March 24 2008:

    I was very saddened to see the hotel rooftop close, but am in great hopes the new owners will do their homework and make sure to preserve that which is time honored here in D.C. the “open air roof top bar.” They could also bring back the lovely wicker furniture. That is what gave it it’s charm.

    I spent many a romantic evening on that rooftop in my youth and it was fun to see all the power people at play.

    I guess I’m showing my age by the fact all my favorite places are slowly going by the wayside, but that is one that should stay.

  4. Comment by jen on June 5 2008:

    Andrew,

    Do you know who is the Arquitectural team in charge of the W Washington DC? Also who is the owner? is Startwood the owner or is there an external owner.. Thank you and your BLOG rocks.. ;-)

  5. Comment by Andrew Calvo on June 6 2008:

    Jen – The owner is Isthimar (Dubai Government) same people who own the W Union Square and alot of other hotels throughout America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is managing the property though. I’m not sure who the architectural team is.
    Thanks for the compliments about the blog!

  6. Comment by W Insider on June 12 2008:

    Andrew -
    great site as it is always fun to be in the know before everyone else. I have heard that the new W Washington DC’s style is very much staying in tune with the buidling. Neo-Classical with that W seductive sex appeal weaved into it.

    From what I understand that roof top bar won’t be the only dinning destination in the hotel. I hear Jean-Georges Vongerichten will be opening a restaurant there, his restaurant Spice Market in NY rocks! I also hear that they will have patio seating right alongside Occidental & Cafe du Parc.

    Can’t wait till it opens!

  7. Comment by Rich Hudspeth on July 14 2009:

    My office is nestled in The Willard complex that also houses the Intercontinental hotel to the east and the new W directly to the west I’ve had a birds-eye view of the reno of the old Hotel Washington’s conversion into W. I have to admit right off the bat that the place is drop-dead gorgeous. And then some. WDC retains all of the historic cues of its past but it’s cloaked in W’s trademark cool. The lighting at night is fantastic…soft violet light pours out of the lobby’s windows and onto the street life that surrounds the building. And what can I say about the Sky Terrace! Except that it’s about 10-million times better that the terrace that preceded it. The designers reconfigured the canopy to enhance what were already stunning city views making them even more so. The food and drinks (always a disappointment in the old hotel) are now up to snuff. Way, way, way up. Then there are the dining options. Again, W hits it out of the park as it is home to DC’s first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant with great steaks and haute cuisine. The J & G steakhouse is stacked with two aisles of big curvy leather booths, many of which have phenomenal two-story views of Pershing Park across the street and monument views as well. Around the corner and down a set of stairs or easily accessible from Pennsylvania Ave. is The Wine Bar, a cool and quiet space wrapped around a communal table serving small plates. One last important addition to the WDC is a Bliss Spa where you can experience a signature treatment and purchase beauty products.

    I could go on and on but suffice it to say that architects and designers hit the nail directly on the head with this one.

    BTW…

    I ran across this blog while running a Google search. VERY INFORMATIVE!

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