The Jefferson at
Penn Quarter

Turning around urban decay is not an easy thing especially when it involves the heart of the nation’s capital, thirteen historic properties, and the desire to create significant urban amenities. All of this has been accomplished brilliantly at The Jefferson at Penn Quarter, 616 E Street NW. Conceived as a mixed-use development that respects the history of the site (Clara Barton’s offices were located there during the Civil War), the project required the restoration and installation of an historic four-story cast iron façade. Previously saved by the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation it had been removed and stored at Andrews Air Force Base where it awaited a new life and purpose.

All of the façade’s components were loaded onto trucks and sent to Robinson’s facilities in Alabama. This enormous jigsaw puzzle presented quite a challenge. The position and dimension of each cataloged piece had to be confirmed. Each casting had to be cleaned, repaired or recast. New methods of attachment had to be devised and an entirely new support structure engineered.

 As the original building belonging to the façade had been razed the restored façade was erected on the front of an entirely new building –what some would call a “facadectomy”. Once again part of the streetscape, the restored façade is a tribute to the craftsmanship of early ironmongers, the preservationists who saved it and the ingenuity of Robinson Iron.

The Historic Façade fully Restored

Exquisite Detailing Newly Restored

The Finished Cornice

The First Floor of the Façade with Cast Iron in Place

A few pieces had to be cast from new patternwork.

A Giant Puzzle Awaits Re-assembly

The site is an entirely new building without a front.

Architectural Drawing of the Building Façade

Photos, Ron Blunt