Business Insider Highlights DC Redevelopment
The Cotton Annex building in Washington, DC, got the spotlight in a November 2024 Business Insider article by Jordan Pandy, showcasing it as a standout example of the city’s booming trend of turning old offices into modern apartments. Built in 1937, this Art Deco federal building was originally home to the USDA but had been mostly unused since the early 2000s. Now, after Carmel Partners purchased it for $45 million and completed a three-year renovation, it’s been transformed into Annex on 12th, a luxury residential complex.
Highlights from the article include:
- Historical Roots: The Cotton Annex started as a USDA facility for testing and standardizing cotton before later serving other federal offices.
- Modern Transformation: The developers maintained key architectural elements, like the skylight designed for cotton inspections, and incorporated them into a sleek, contemporary design.
- Luxury Amenities: Residents can enjoy a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the National Mall, a private speakeasy, a yoga studio, and communal spaces like a media lounge and coworking areas.
- Residential Appeal: Offering 562 units, with rents starting at $1,637, the building blends historical charm with modern convenience.
As DC leads the nation in office-to-apartment conversions, this exciting project highlights the city’s commitment to reimagining and revitalizing underutilized spaces. It's a glimpse into the future of adaptive reuse in urban development.
The Business Insider article was also picked up by Yahoo! News and MSN.
View the full article: Washington DC is full of obsolete government buildings. See how one is being transformed into hundreds of luxury apartments.
