Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Torti Gallas Team performed the official Ribbon Cutting at the firm’s new offices in the historic Grimke School at 1923 Vermont Avenue, NW. After 70 years in Maryland, Torti Gallas + Partners has relocated our corporate headquarters to the District of Columbia, bringing 100 daytime jobs and revenue to the District. Torti Gallas + Partners and our CBE Partner, Torti Gallas Urban, are now co-located in this one building.
“The re-imagined Grimke School is another example of how we can work together –across the public and private sectors – to move important projects forward after years of planning and strategizing to deliver housing and jobs while preserving our history and culture,” said Mayor Bowser. “As employers like Torti Gallas continue to reimagine the future of work, we know that workers will still want to be in places where they have access to public transportation, where they can walk to great amenities, and where they have access to the cultural experiences that attract people to cities like DC. This project has it all.”
As Architects of a Better World, this new home in The Grimke School and in the U Street Corridor aligns with Torti Gallas’ beliefs - it is walkable, mixed-use, and transit-oriented with an important cultural amenity - The African American Civil War Museum.
Torti Gallas designed the transformation of this landmark building and the addition of 68 mixed-income residential units in the Shaw Neighborhood. The restoration and repurposing of this historic structure into a healthy and highly sustainable building will attract talented and creative professionals, benefitting the local small business community and the residents of the Shaw neighborhood. Torti Gallas is pursuing Fitwel Certification for our workspace.
This move to the District has also enabled Torti Gallas to reduce its carbon footprint, as over 40% of our employees are no longer commuting from the District to Maryland. Additionally, we are increasing our Walk and Bike Scores by a total of 20 points!
The redevelopment of the Grimke School was made possible by a partnership between the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and prominent DC developer Community Three. The repurposing of this important building has contributed to increasing the daytime uses of this area. Torti Gallas employees have already begun supporting many of the local small businesses before, during and after work hours.
“This move reflects Torti Gallas’ continuing commitment to revitalizing and transforming cities while also providing affordable housing in the city,” said Torti Gallas + Partners Chief Executive Officer Thomas Gallas. “The redevelopment of the Grimke School will contribute to the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Initiative by adding 20 affordable housing units in Ward 1.”
Torti Gallas looks forward to incorporating this next chapter of our firm into the next chapter of the historic Grimke School!
Click here for a video of the Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
