Trump Hotel Collection Unveils Design for Old Post Office

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Vincent Gray, and Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service for the United States General Services Administration Dorothy Robyn were also gathered to celebrate the occasion.

“Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. will be, when completed, one of the finest hotels anywhere in the world. The building itself, which is totally irreplaceable, is going to be brought back to far beyond its original grandeur. People of this country will be particularly proud of the new ballroom – it will be large and magnificent. With carefully articulated luxury features and amenities, an unrivaled location on ‘America's Main Street' and iconic architectural character, it will be unlike any other hotel in the market today. It will be a building of which our whole nation will be very proud!” declared Donald J. Trump.

The hotel's design nods to America's European heritage and its references to Romanesque elements, but from a uniquely American perspective. In the 18 months since TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION was selected by the GSA as developer of the landmark, Donald and Ivanka Trump have been working alongside famed architects Beyer Blinder Belle, interior design consultants Hirsch Bedner Associates, and historic advisor and preservation specialists John Cullinane & Associates to realize the design of Trump International Hotel, The Old Post Office, Washington, D.C.

“This project is about the past meeting the future in a seamless pairing that will result in a level of luxury previously unseen in this market,” explained Ivanka Trump. “This building exemplifies iconic American grandeur. Our design draws on the legacy and integrity of this great landmark but it is executed in a thoroughly modern way.”

“Americans are innovators and are always propelled forward,” added Hirsch Bedner Associates' Betsy Hughes, who has been instrumental in designing the public areas, guestrooms and conference facilities. “The interiors are inspired by the strength of the massive 1899 Richardsonian Romanesque Revival edifice, with its carved stone and astounding level of detailing. The materials are more muscular than they would have been in France or England, and we have juxtaposed the masculinity and stateliness of the building with softer furnishings.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2014 with an expected completion in late 2015. Trump International Hotel, The Old Post Office, Washington, D.C. will pursue LEED® green building certification, which provides the framework for building and operating sustainable hotels.

Public Areas

TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION will reinstate the 11th Street pedestrian entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue, which has been closed to vehicular traffic, and will serve as the driveway to the hotel's canopied grand entrance.

“The new entrance to Trump International Hotel and The Grand Ballroom will be a distinctly new architectural composition at the end of the reinstated 11th Street,” explained Hany Hassan, partner at Beyer Blinder Belle. “Using rich materials such as backlit marble and limited mullion glass, the new entrance and canopy will be simple but elegant complements to the significant monumental presence of the historic Old Post Office building. Without touching the historic building, the new steel and glass porte cochere cantilevers in both directions, creating a glass ceiling and welcoming entry.”

Inside, the heart of the property will be The Cortile, a soaring nine-story atrium that will function as the hotel's gathering place, comprising the grand lobby and lounge. Sunlight will filter from above through a soft canopy of trees and illuminate this interior courtyard setting. The Cortile will be furnished in rich jewel tones – deep red, aubergine, sapphire and emerald – with gold accents and be elegantly finished with hand-woven area rugs, a celebrated water sculpture, and soaring brass and crystal chandeliers.

The ground level will also include world-class restaurants and luxury retailers on the corners of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Guestrooms

Broad, 15-foot-wide corridors with stone floors will ring the perimeter of the towering nine-story atrium, granting access to the 270 expansive guestrooms and retaining the original stately wood doors, wainscoting and detailed wall paneling. The richly luxurious guestrooms will average more than 600 square feet, making them the largest in Washington, D.C., with lofty 14-to-16-foot ceilings, soaring windows, beautiful existing millwork, and glittering crystal sconces and chandeliers. A study in refined elegance, the transitional design will feature a palette of Federal blues, creams and ivories, paired with soft gold and silver accents, and punctuated with deep red. The American design aesthetic will be expressed through the use of thick wool carpets, stone tops and richly polished wood furnishings. Mirror elements will reflect the rooms' natural light. Expansive five- and six-fixture bathrooms will feature six-foot tubs, wood vanities with rich marble tops, and polished brass hardware. A sophisticated guestroom art program will tell the story of The Old Post Office.

In addition, two extraordinary Presidential Suites will be located in the historic former offices of the Postmaster General. At more than 3,000 square feet each, the three-bedroom suites will be among the largest in the country. With 16-foot ceilings, and views of Pennsylvania Avenue and the National Mall, each suite will include original fireplaces, wood doors and moldings, and offer unique amenities such as separate dining room with pantry and service entry, his-and-her walk-in closets, private sauna and steam room, two-person shower, and VIP direct-elevator access.

Meetings & Events

Trump International Hotel, The Old Post Office, Washington, D.C. will offer a total of 39,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the finest of which will be the opulent 13,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, the largest among D.C. luxury hotels. Beautiful and timeless, the luxurious Grand Ballroom will boast the expected level of Trump elegance and detailing, with classical motifs with European influences, and be suited for a variety of meetings, conferences, weddings and social events. Visitors will be able to enter from the historic building through its entrance on 10th street and the main entry on 11th Street.

The richly detailed historic Library will impress with its soaring 25-foot coffered ceiling, high arched windows, ornate columns, intricate millwork, hardwood floors, velvet draperies and hand-woven area rugs, the likes of which are not seen in contemporary hotels. Glass-front bookcases will line the walls, while leather club chairs and executive task chairs will exude a subtle masculinity. With an entry point off 12th Street, the 3,500-square-foot Library will serve as a junior ballroom, large boardroom or informal meeting space.

Clock Tower

At the pinnacle of The Old Post Office building, the Clock Tower houses the official United States Bells of Congress, a bicentennial gift from England celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War. With its sweeping 360-degree view of the city, this National Park Service-run destination draws as many as 1,500 visitors each day. A dedicated entrance on the south side of the building through C Street will welcome visitors, and feature an Old Post Office museum, exhibition center and retail outlets.

Trump International Hotel, The Old Post Office, Washington, D.C. will also feature a 4,000-square-foot Mar-a-Lago Spa by Ivanka Trump.

In February 2012, TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION was selected by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as the developer of The Old Post Office in the most sought-after hotel redevelopment opportunity in the country, based on the strength of its development team, financial wherewithal, vision for the property, long-term potential for the local community, and dedication to the preservation of the historic structure.

More information is available online at https://www.trumphotelcollection.com/washington-dc/