Project Description
As Executive Architect, CORE collaborated with Whitman-Walker Health, Fivesquares Development, and Selldorf Architects (Design Architect) on the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center Building at 14th Street NW.
The LEED Silver mixed-use development transforms the historic Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center Building and Belmont Garage into a six-story structure with a penthouse, 60,000 SF of office space, 78 apartments, 20,000 SF of ground floor retail and restaurants, a Cultural Center, and an outdoor public seating area. Liz’s exterior is characterized by a limestone façade and large windows framed by an array of colorful terracotta chamfers. The angle and length of the chamfer varies to allow for consistent window sizes and limestone width on all sides of the building. Whitman-Walker’s administrative offices occupy the second floor and the Goethe Institute the third floor, while floors four through seven deliver rental apartment units ranging from studios to one and two-bedrooms as well as Inclusionary Zoning Affordable Housing units. Amenity spaces, landscaped terraces, and roof gardens aligned with the building’s set-backs are found at the upper levels. Outdoor space designed by Future Green Studios offers generous planting, seating elements, and space for public art to create a welcoming presence at the street level where retail outlets and the Elizabeth Taylor Cultural Center are located. As Executive Architect, CORE collaborated with everyone involved in the project to help shape the future of Liz. The team provided support with early development and adherence to local building codes and requirements. CORE also completed the Design Development in coordination with the design team, and prepared Construction Documents to develop and communicate the design intent for construction. The project’s name, “Liz,” pays homage to actress Elizabeth Taylor, who made impactful contributions to the HIV/AIDS community through the Whitman-Walker Health System. Photography: David Madison Photography, Nicholas Venezia, Ron Ngiam