This new, ground-up building designed by Herzog de Meuron is the latest addition to Hines's luxury mixed use development CityCenterDC. The freestanding building occupies a privileged position at the head of the public plaza and borders New York Avenue. Its footprint conforms to the site's odd boundaries; on the third floor—the public floor—the envelope is pinched back to parallel the interior circulation. The ground floor is dedicated to retail and distinguished by highly transparent, scalloped glazing which contrasts to the upper floors that are clad in highly reflective panes. The interior atrium, endemic to hotels at this scale, continues the exterior's curvilinear bend with a multi-story scrim that contours the circular skylights. The metal mesh scintillates throughout the day, either responding to the daylight from above, or the glow emanating from the oversized pendant handing in the center of the atrium.

Location: CityCenterDC, Washington

Design Architect: Herzog de Meuron

Architect: HKS

Interiors: Rottet Studio