Watergate Condo Renovation in Georgetown, Washington, DC
Project Overview
The Watergate’s proximity to DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was the main factor that drew our clients to the building. Avid music lovers, they wanted to be near the Symphony’s home for easy entertaining before and after concerts. They also enjoy art deco interiors, and the condo’s existing original stylings were dated and the functionality was not what they desired. They hoped to open up views of the Potomac from their westward windows, which required moving several elements and walls. Condo remodeling always comes with its own set of challenges; chief among them is the floorplan problem: the building’s existing walls are immovable, and we have limited license with what we may change. However, we were able to remove select walls in the living area to create a welcoming open floor plan, blending the kitchen and living rooms, and leading the view towards the Potomac.
Design + Layout
Our clients needed a state-of-the-art, highly functional kitchen that was still welcoming to guests. Achieving this balance created a challenge, as we were strictly limited by the original square footage, however, we accomplished this by not wasting any space for functionality. Hidden behind custom cabinetry panels we installed the washer & dryer, dishwasher and a full side-by-side fridge and freezer, along with a built-in spice shelf. The sink was tucked away, hidden from the entertaining areas, featuring a custom hidden drying rack underneath floating walnut shelves. We also needed to consider existing building and structural elements, like old pipes and ducts in the ceiling, and a support pillar in the center of the living space. Rather than building bulky square bulkheads to hide these elements, we chose to embrace them, wrapping floating bookshelves around the central column, and creating a curved element in the ceiling, hiding the pipes while mimicking the famous curves on the building’s exterior.
Style + Finishes
The art deco ultimatum we were handed guided our design choices through the condo. In the kitchen, narrowly framed custom cabinets in a rich blue compose the bulk of the design, with a black reeded peninsula atop a brass toe kick, custom built by Four Brothers to echo the smooth bulkhead above. A diamantene gold accented marble tile backsplash pays homage to classic Art Deco stylings, with floating walnut shelves for extra storage, matching the floating bookshelf arranged around the room’s central column. The bathroom’s stylish mid-century vanity matches the other period pieces in the main bedroom, with angular lighting fixtures lending a modern touch throughout.