The $300 Million Trophy: 5 Shocking Facts About 1000 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC's Power Address
The address 1000 Connecticut Ave NW in Washington, D.C., is not just a location; it is a symbol of prestige and power within the city's Central Business District (CBD). As of late 2025, this 12-story, Class A+ office complex continues to dominate the highly competitive commercial real estate market, standing proudly on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW, adjacent to the historic Farragut Square. The building's reputation as a "trophy asset" is underpinned by its cutting-edge design, sustainable features, and a tenant roster that includes some of the nation's most influential law firms.
Built on the site of a demolished structure in 2007, the current building, completed in 2012, represents a modern marvel of urban architecture, blending seamlessly with the surrounding historical gravitas of the nation's capital. Its dual identity, often also referred to as 1717 K Street NW, underscores its strategic position at the intersection of two of D.C.'s most important corridors, making it a critical hub for legal, corporate, and financial entities seeking a premier Washington address.
The Premier Profile: Biography of a Trophy Office Building
The building at 1000 Connecticut Avenue NW is a modern masterpiece of commercial architecture, a testament to D.C.'s commitment to high-end design and sustainability. Its profile is defined by a series of high-profile collaborations and certifications.
- Primary Address: 1000 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
- Alternate Address: 1717 K Street NW
- Building Type: Class A+ Trophy Office Building
- Total Stories: 12 Floors
- Total Size (RSF): Approximately 394,145 Rentable Square Feet (RSF)
- Year Completed: 2012
- Architectural Firms: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and WDG Architecture
- Structural Engineer: SK&A Structural Engineers
- Owner (Recorded): Connecticut & K Associates Llc
- Sustainability Status: LEED Certified Platinum
- Key Location Feature: Adjacent to Farragut Square and the K Street Corridor
- Primary Anchor Tenant: ArentFox Schiff (formerly Arent Fox)
- Recent Tenant News: McKool Smith leased space in Q4 2024
The Architectural Secrets Behind the Iconic Facade
The design of 1000 Connecticut Ave NW is far from standard office fare. It is the result of a sophisticated collaboration between the owners of three adjacent properties who decided to aggregate their lots to create a single, commanding structure. This complex origin allowed the architects, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and WDG Architecture, to execute a design that is both visually striking and highly functional, establishing a new standard for modern commercial architecture in the nation’s capital.
The facade is a multi-faceted exterior incorporating a luxurious mix of materials, including glass, stainless steel, and granite. The design intelligently addresses its dual frontage: the Connecticut Avenue side utilizes a distinctive vertical glass bay that reflects the geometry of the primary pathway through the adjacent Farragut Square. This feature creates a dynamic, unexpected corner presence. In contrast, the K Street facade is composed primarily of granite and glass, complementing the traditional stone and masonry architecture of the surrounding Central Business District (CBD).
The building’s structural integrity, overseen by SK&A Structural Engineers, is designed to support the open, flexible floor plans demanded by modern, high-end tenants. The focus on integrating the building with its urban environment—connecting the park (Farragut Square) and the two major commercial frontages (Connecticut Ave and K Street)—is a critical element of its design philosophy. This careful planning ensures that 1000 Connecticut Ave NW is not just an office tower but an integral part of the city’s urban fabric.
The Power Players: Who Occupies This Elite D.C. Address?
The prestige of 1000 Connecticut Ave NW is largely defined by its tenant roster, which is dominated by high-profile legal and corporate entities. The building is designed as a "trophy office building," attracting firms that require both a prime location and a cutting-edge, sustainable workspace.
The Anchor Tenant: ArentFox Schiff
The undisputed anchor tenant is the international law firm ArentFox Schiff (formerly Arent Fox), which occupies a massive portion of the building. The firm leases approximately 70 percent of the space, spanning eight floors and over 238,000 square feet. This significant commitment from a major legal powerhouse solidifies the building’s status as a key address in the K Street Corridor, often synonymous with the city’s legal and lobbying industry. The firm's high-end, custom-built tenant fit-out, managed by firms like Clark Construction, is a perfect reflection of the building’s Class A+ standard.
Fresh Leasing News: McKool Smith’s 2024 Move
In a significant piece of recent commercial real estate news, the law firm McKool Smith executed a new lease at 1000 Connecticut Ave NW in the fourth quarter of 2024. This move demonstrates the building's continued appeal even as many private sector tenants in the D.C. office market are downsizing or shifting to remote work models. McKool Smith secured just over 13,000 square feet, downsizing from a larger space at 1999 K Street NW. This transaction highlights the flight-to-quality trend, where firms prioritize top-tier, well-amenitized buildings like 1000 Connecticut Ave NW over older, less-efficient spaces.
Sustainability and Amenities: The LEED Platinum Advantage
One of the most compelling aspects of the 1000 Connecticut Ave NW complex is its commitment to environmental responsibility, evidenced by its LEED Certified Platinum status. This is the highest level of certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, signifying exceptional performance in areas like energy efficiency, water savings, and indoor environmental quality. This certification is a major draw for modern corporations and law firms, which increasingly prioritize sustainability in their operations and public image.
Beyond its eco-conscious design, the building offers a suite of high-end amenities designed to attract and retain top-tier talent in the competitive D.C. market. Key amenities include a premium rooftop terrace, which provides tenants with spectacular downtown Washington views—a valuable perk in the dense urban environment. Furthermore, its location offers unparalleled transportation access, being centrally located near the Farragut North and Farragut West Metro stations, providing excellent connectivity for employees and clients alike.
The Ownership and Market Dynamics (2025 Outlook)
The property is owned by Connecticut & K Associates Llc, a key entity in the D.C. commercial real estate landscape. The building's market performance is a barometer for the health of the Central Business District office sector. While the D.C. market, like many others, has seen overall vacancy rates climb due to the hybrid work model, 1000 Connecticut Ave NW continues to outperform. The major anchor tenant, ArentFox Schiff, provides significant stability, and the recent lease signing by McKool Smith in late 2024 indicates that demand for the highest-quality, best-located office space remains robust.
The building's strategic location, coupled with its Class A+ distinction and LEED Platinum certification, positions it as a resilient investment. It embodies the future of D.C. office space: highly efficient, amenity-rich, and strategically placed at the nexus of the city's power corridors. For firms looking to make a statement in Washington, D.C., 1000 Connecticut Ave NW remains the definitive address.
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