Restoration, Renovation, Addition

The Jewish Community Center returned to downtown Washington, D.C. after 22 years in the nearby suburbs. Its new location actually wasn't new. The JCC moved back into the headquarters it built in 1930 and occupied for three decades. It was sold to the city government in the late 1960's. In 1990, the organization returned to downtown and repurchased the magnificent old structure.

ASG was hired to provide programming, master planning, and design services for the renovation, restoration, and expansion.

The original features include athletic courts, a swimming pool, and the ceremonial lobby, all of which have been restored. New to the facility are a grand main staircase, elevator core, gallery, food service facilities, and a theater that replaced the ballroom. There also are meeting rooms, administrative suites, pre-school classrooms, and weight/aerobics rooms.

The exterior was restored, and original window and door profiles were matched to meet the community's historical preservation requirements. Life/safety and accessibility standards were incorporated as well.

Completion: 1997
Size: 58,000 gsf
Cost: $8.3 million