Talk about an office-to-residential conversion. In this case, it’s government-to-residential living.
In Washington, DC, the former US Department of Agriculture Cotton Annex has shed its governmental past to reemerge as Annex on 12th — a 562-unit luxury residential development with the perks of being near some major national landmarks.
Once tasked with grading cotton and tobacco, this Art Deco relic from 1936 has been meticulously reimagined by Carmel Partners. Pre-leasing has been open since September; move-ins start this month.
The development offers concessions, such as months free for select units, according to its website. But studios start at $1,521 per month, one-bedrooms begin at $1,670 per month — and two-beds start from $3,231 monthly.
“Our incredible team has successfully transformed a vacant government office into modern apartments, a stunning example of adaptive reuse that’s now the closest residential building to the National Mall,” Dan Garibaldi, Managing Partner at Carmel Partners, said in a statement. What’s more, being near the National Mall means “breathtaking views” of the Washington Monument, he added.
Standing so close to the National Mall, the new offering also has the perk of a location near the Smithsonian museums. Come spring, the entire area will be coated in pink blooms during the District’s famed cherry blossom season.
The building’s original structure, a donut-shaped design left incomplete during World War II, has been fully realized with the addition of a gleaming 13-story tower that encircles a lush courtyard.
Federal priorities once delayed its construction; the revitalized space is now the latest stylish get for those seeking trendy shelter.
For their part, homes inside span 457-square-foot studios to 1,381-square-foot two-bedrooms. The two collections of residences now available include the “Heritage” apartments, with laminate oak flooring, quartz counters and backsplashes in the kitchens — as well as chicory cabinets.
The “Novelle” residences, in a renovated portion of the original building, have their own embellishments. Those include gray Maestro Tempo flooring and white quartz counters. Elsewhere, other units have wine refrigerators.
The development also has a robust amenity package. The centerpiece: A residents-only speakeasy called The Vault, which nods to the building’s history with details like a vaulted door bearing a presidential seal and an angled skylight that once served as a tobacco drying space.
The interior design, by Champalimaud Design, dazzles with backlit glass ceilings, gold-accented elevator doors and constellation murals.
The re-use aspect aims to lure tenants in search of a home, but one in some cool settings.
“Our approach was to breathe new life into the building while respecting the historic nature of the building. We wanted to ensure it reflected how one lives today and that it honored the views of the surrounding monuments of DC,” Winston Kong, Partner at Champalimaud Design, said.
There’s a rooftop infinity pool, and there’s the ability for renters to host events in one of several rentable lounges — including a private dining area and a greenhouse-inspired sunroom.
Situated at 300 12th Street SW, there’s also easy access to two Metro stations for public transit.