The Gallup Organization
Washington, DC
Karchem's Role: Project Manager
Size: 61,000 SF on 4 floors
Year Built: 2000-2001
Budget: $$4.2 million
Schedule: 12 months
As developer of the Gallup Building, Karchem Properties negotiated the lease with Gallup to relocate its suburban Maryland office to the East End of downtown Washington, DC. As an international firm, Gallup wanted a location that would reflect its contribution to identifying trends in American politics and society. In selecting the Masonic Temple, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Gallup achieved its goal by incorporating a newly constructed office tower with a unique structure.
Karchem Properties conducted acquisition due diligence on the land and improvements and negotiated the purchase contract. Prior to placing the property under contract, Karchem assembled the project team to identify architectural, engineering, environmental, and zoning issues related to developing the property.
In addition to coordinating the design and construction of 61,000 RSF, Karchem Properties handled the historic preservation issues that helped determine the build-out in the building’s historic portion. The focal point of the space is the second-floor Great Hall, which was the venue for presidential inaugural balls in the late 1880s. The Hall is 4,500 SF with 25-foot ceilings and tall windows along Ninth and F streets, NW. VOA, the project architect, created a conference and marketing center as well as a boardroom in the dramatic hall. A visitor to the building can reach Gallup’s offices by ascending a grand staircase from the lobby.
Karchem Properties and VOA responded to concerns voiced by the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service about preserving the scale and special qualities of the Great Hall while meeting Gallup’s functional, budgetary, and scheduling requirements. VOA designed freestanding wall panels parallel, but unattached to the original walls, permitting the original wall surfaces and tall windows to be perceived in their entirety. The panels screen the mechanical and AV equipment, provide ambient light locations and sound-absorptive surfaces, and mask window shades.
We absolutely love this building. Part of its uniqueness is its wonderful history...We're especially thrilled by having access to the magnificently restored Great Hall, the site of Inaugural Balls and other splendid events in the 1800s.
-Steve O'Brien, Executive Publisher of the Gallup Poll
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