Morrison Clark Inn - Work Has Begun on Addition

Updated 5/12/2013 for Photographs and Content
Updated 4/25/2013 for Content
Updated 4/24/2013 for Content

 According to the Forester Construction web site work is due to begin on the addition to the Morrison Clark Inn at 11th and L Street NW. In fact it has begun already.

Signage on 1107 L Street - clean-up in progress

Removal of asbestos and hazardous materials from 1107 and the Chinese Church began about a month ago, according to one of the construction team. The facades of these two buildings will be maintained and restored, remodeling will only take place in the interior.

Church will be restored and facade retained (circa 1957)

 Some concern had been raised locally about the status of the 1700's carriage housed, that is located in the alley off of 11th Street, but the construction team member assured me that the building would be preserved.

UPDATE: There has been a structural problem with carriage house wall, following disruption of the roof. The wall is now slightly overhanging the alleyway (which has been closed for safety reasons)
Read on here, an article from 'Preserving DC Stables' in their latest blog posting lays out the problem and some resolution.
UPDATE: The upper wall of the carriage house (to just below the windows) has been removed - it was tenuous at best - good job by Forrester maintaining the integrity of the structure as a whole. Read on here, Preserving DC Stables follow on article explaining what happened and Forrester's response. Article includes photo's.

1700's Carriage House exterior will be preserved (one the oldest standing structures in DC)

UPDATE: Construction work has begun on the exterior. L Street between 10th and 11th is now single lane traffic.

L Street between 10th and 11th are now single lane

Exterior work begins on the Chinese Church structure

The DC Permit, issued on April 4th, allows Forrester to occupy the curb lane adjacent to  1011 L Street, and is valid through September 27th, so if you travel this way you can expect delays.

L Street view of existing Inn and future addition

Here is the text of the announcement from Forrester Constructions web site;

February 26, 2013 - Forrester Construction Company is pleased to announce that it has recently begun work on the addition to the Morrison-Clark Inn, located at 1015 L Street, NW, Washington, DC. Originally built in 1864 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Victorian era hotel will be expanded by 43,000 square feet, incorporating neighboring historic structures into the overall design.

The new addition to the inn requires preservation of a 1700s carriage house, one of the oldest buildings in Washington, DC, keeping the exterior intact while completely renovating the interior. The facades of a neighboring rectory and 1880s townhouse will also become part of the space and will be maintained during construction by external bracing and underpinnings. The hotel addition will be six stories with 56 guest rooms featuring high-end finishes, a central courtyard connecting the buildings and an expansion of the below grade parking garage.

For more than a year, Forrester provided preconstruction services assisting the owner and design teams in the development of multiple design packages and a variety of cost saving strategies. The Forrester team worked with Architecture, Inc., the architecture firm providing support for the core and shell of the building. Forrester also partnered with Forrest Perkins, the architecture firm outfitting the interiors.

“Combining multiple historic facades into one hotel is quite exciting,” says Vic Bonardi, Forrester vice president of preconstruction and design-build services. “Our preconstruction work will be highly beneficial during the construction process to ensure the project is delivered within the time-frame and budget outlined. This is a wonderful opportunity for Forrester to leverage its extensive experience in the preservation of DC historic buildings.” The project is scheduled to be complete by April 2014.

Morrison Clark Inn gardens beloved by local residents

Update: Support exo-skeleton added to structures

Support Exo-Skeleton added to Chinese Church exterior

Providing support while demolition continues

Source: Forrester Construction
            Preserving DC Stables