NAR Closes on new Capitol building

The National Association of REALTORS® took possession of its new office building on Capitol Hill, following formal signing of acquisition documents on April 9, 2004.

Construction of the striking, glass-wrapped, environmentally advanced building has been completed and creates a dramatic presence at 500 New Jersey Avenue, with a breathtaking view of the U.S. Capitol, only two blocks away. The structure will be the first newly constructed building in the District of Columbia to meet “green” standards—high levels of environmental performance as set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

     Click here to view photos of the building throughout the construction process.

The building will house the Washington, D.C., operations of the Chicago-based association. NAR officials said work will begin now on the interior of the $46-million structure to make it ready for occupancy by this fall. NAR will occupy five floors of the 12-story building, including the top four floors, using about 40,000 square feet, with the balance of the 93,000 square feet to be leased. A rooftop facility of about 3,000 square feet will be used for social gatherings and congressional receptions.

Groundbreaking on the Class “A” 12-story modern, environmentally sustainable building began in October 2002. The site, a reclaimed “brownfield” (contaminated ground) previously occupied by a gas station, was environmentally cleaned up under NAR oversight. The removal crew dug out and hauled away more than 24 feet of dirt to approved waste sites before construction began.

NAR expects to earn a certification from the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System for the structure. The U.S. Green Building Council awards LEED certification to building projects achieving high levels of environmental performance within certain categories.

The building’s efficient use of water and energy will benefit the environment while keeping operating costs down. The building uses an abundance of natural daylight, and the use of low-emitting materials helps create a worker- and visitor-friendly indoor environment.

Some of the “green” aspects of the building include: A landscaping plan that uses native plant species to reduce irrigation demands and captures rain water for reuse in irrigation; efficient HVAC systems and a high-performance glass curtain wall to reduce energy use by as much as 30 percent compared to code standards; zero use of CFC-refrigerants; high-recycled building materials; smoking prohibitions throughout the office spaces; and a carbon dioxide monitoring system to introduce fresh air in areas of increased occupancy.