The Woodward Office Building
The department store office building separated the store from its administrative branch.
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Constructed to house the administrative offices of the Woodward & Lothrop department store, The Woodward is an important building within the Financial Historic District and represents the city’s commercial business history. Designed by Harding & Upman and completed in 1911, the building expanded the already-successful store’s capabilities. The building’s Renaissance Revival style matched other nearby office buildings constructed during this same time with similar classical design aesthetics. Built close to banks and other financial institutions, the area thrived as DC’s own “Wall Street” grew with the city.
Woodward & Lothrop began as a small retailer that grew quickly throughout the late 19th century and into the 20th century. As the department store continued to expand its footprint in the city’s retail core at 11th and F streets NW, the office building helped ensure that their retail operations could continue smoothly and efficiently. While the office building hosted a number of offices, founder Samuel Woodward also used the building for his own personal offices.
Today, the building houses luxury apartments with commercial space on the first floor, currently occupied by a restaurant.
DC Inventory: November 8, 1964 (Joint Committee on Landmarks)
Within Financial Historic District
