ABC to Move to Capitol Hill

ARLINGTON, Va. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is moving its national office from Arlington, Va., to Washington, D.C. The organization signed an 11-year lease with First Potomac Realty Trust for 19,830 square feet of office space.

ABC will take up the entire second floor and one-third of the third floor in the 10-story building. The Washington office of OTJ Architects is designing the office space, while Falls Church, Va.-based Hitt Contracting is the general contractor. Both companies are ABC members.

“We are excited to make the move to Capitol Hill,” said ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman in a statement. “Advocacy on the Hill and at federal government agencies is a major part of the value ABC delivers to our 22,000 member firms. We believe this move will enhance our political and legislative efforts here in Washington and will position ABC to best inform and influence the debates on issues impacting our members and their employees.”

The office building totals 140,000 square feet and features a glass curtain wall design that incorporates several daylighting elements. The building’s other standout features include two rooftop terraces with panoramic views of the U.S. Capitol, a fitness center, a conference room, retail and restaurant space on the ground floor, and underground parking.

The building is designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification and will be the first office building in downtown Washington, D.C., to use a Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS), which uses 100 percent fresh air. Plus, 75 percent of the building’s structural elements will be reused, 90 percent of construction waste will be recycled instead of going to a landfill, and the property has a central area dedicated to the collection and storage of recyclable materials. The office building renovation reached substantial completion in July.

ABC anticipates to move in by Dec. 1.