WASHINGTON, DC—On March 19, Euro Capital Properties Principal Jacques Cohen and Director of Design & Development Rakel Cohen were joined by Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser; DC Councilmember Jack Evans, Ward 2; ANC Commissioner William Kennedy Smith; and “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant for a ceremonial topping off at The Watergate Hotel. The Washington, DC, hotel will reopen as a luxury hotel this summer after a $125-million renovation.
The event celebrated an important construction milestone within the renovation, the topping off of the 7,000-sq.-ft. Moretti Ballroom—a completely new-build for the hotel, which previously had not offered extensive meetings and event space. The roof of the Moretti Ballroom will be topped off with flora inspired by the building’s original landscape, and Euro Capital Properties executives, local dignitaries and design partners were given the opportunity to plant the future by placing historically significant May Night Salvia seedlings into symbolic soil at the event. When the seedlings are mature they will be incorporated into the landscape design on top of the ballroom.
The Moretti Ballroom was added to the hotel by raising the earth an additional seven ft., creating 27,000 sq. ft. of waterfront meeting and event space. The ballroom will feature state-of-the-art technology and several configurations, as well as an additional 10,000 sq. ft. of outdoor terraces overlooking the Potomac.
“Euro Capital Properties has been passionately committed to restoring the iconic structure to create an urban resort that exceeds the expectations of today’s modern, luxury guest, in a setting that is central to everything,” said Jacques Cohen.
The event also unveiled of The Watergate Hotel’s retro-inspired uniforms for hotel associates by Bryant.
Noting the hotel’s architecture by Luigi Moretti, Rakel Cohen stated, “ The original design of The Watergate Hotel was ahead of its time and sparked a debate about the future of architecture. You will notice that there isn’t a straight line in sight. Since the hotel first opened, it has been renovated time and again, yet we are really the first to embrace the building’s original beauty.