Lowe Enterprises Starts $70M Crystal City Office Redevelopment

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

Lowe Enterprises hosted a ceremony on March 29 to mark the start of of its $70 million redevelopment of 1400 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, Va. Government, business and civic leaders were present at the event, among them Mary Hughes Hynes, chair of the Arlington County Board, as well as a representative of Lowe Enterprises.

The property was formerly known as 1411 Jefferson Davis Hwy. It is located in the heart of Crystal City, only minutes from the Pentagon, Downtown Washington, Reagan National Airport and Capitol Hill. 1400 Crystal Drive is also within walking distance of shops, hotels, Long Bridge Park and such restaurants as Morton’s of Chicago, Ted’s Montana Grill, McCormick & Schmick’s and Jaleo. On-site amenities include a delicatessen, a fitness center, property management and a penthouse terrace.

Lowe Enterprises bought the property in 2008 on behalf of an investment client. The company serves as property and development manager, and plans to turn the 13-story building into a state-of-the-art, 308,000-square-foot, Class A office establishment. The property is designed with the intent to attain LEED Gold certification.

“The building is currently being stripped down to its structural concrete frame. A new floor-to-ceiling glass facade will be installed to maximize natural light, provide energy efficiency and capture the spectacular views,” Harmar Thompson, senior vice president of Lowe Enterprises, stated in a press release.

Plans call for the reorientation of the building lobby toward the intersection of 15th Street and Crystal Drive in order to improve access. When finished, the building will also include a penthouse terrace, state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical systems, elevators, reconfigured floors, a fitness center and a concierge.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. is the general contractor, with Lincoln Property Co. in charge of leasing, and architectural services provided by  Fox Architects. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2013.

“1400 Crystal Drive will enhance the submarket by providing an efficient, environmentally sensitive, state-of-the-art office building within the heart of Crystal City,” said Thompson.

Image courtesy of https://1400crystal.com.