This November, all eyes are on D.C. as Americans head to the polls for what is sure to be a nail-biting finish to the election. And in a city that’s no stranger to drama, there’s one building that stands out for being synonymous with scandal: The Watergate. This iconic multi-use building was originally designed by the Italian architect Luigi Moretti and debuted in the 1960s. Its curved silhouette constructed of concrete and metal was meant to emulate the winding Potomac. The design was groundbreaking but not everyone was enamored. Some critics called it “as appropriate as a strip dancer performing at your grandmother’s funeral.”
The Watergate Hotel opened in 1967 and in 1972, room 214 was used as a base for the men who broke into the DNC headquarters within the complex. The hotel was bought and sold multiple times over the next few decades until it re-opened in 2016 after a $200 million renovation.
The hotel pays homage to its midcentury roots and is infused with a sense of fun and playfulness. Ron Arad Architects designed the lobby, The Next Whisky Bar and Kingbird restaurant, adopting curved silhouettes, reflective surfaces and sculptural lighting. Ron Arad also designed much of the furniture, such as the voluptuous red lobby chairs, many of which are manufactured by the Italian furniture company Moroso.
The hotel fully embraces its scandalous past with a wink and a nod. Just off the lobby, there’s a gallery wall showcasing framed magazine and newspaper covers about the Watergate break-in and Nixon’s resignation. Hotel key cards are emblazoned with “No need to break in” and tiny images of Nixon appear in the pastry tier at the history-inspired “Spill the Tea,” where nibbles are inspired by presidents’ favorite foods.
The rest of the hotel’s design concept was spearheaded by Euro Capital Properties and BBGM. Guest rooms, like the building’s exterior, embrace waves and curves, reflected in the rug pattern, the head board and the furniture. Bathrooms are bold, featuring Zebrano marble and black tiles.
The Watergate’s most famous room, 214, is now the Scandal Room. This room has been decorated in collaboration with Lyn Paolo, the Emmy-award winning costume designer for “Scandal” and “Queen Charlotte,” and contains binoculars, a manual typewriter, a reel-to-reel tape recorder and curated book collection. “Mad Men” designer Janie Bryant tackled the staff uniforms, including checkered outfits and black suits with red piping.
Elsewhere on property, stand-out spaces include the rooftop Top of the Gate for cocktails and views of the Potomac, and the subterranean Argentta spa, which is decorated in glittering shades of gray and silver.
Beyond the hotel, the property is tucked in the Georgetown neighborhood adjacent to the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. It’s an easy stroll to Washington Harbour, home to the new River Club D.C. Like the Watergate, this restaurant is unique for its bold design embracing a tropical pink and green color scheme. Menus highlight the flavors of Lebanon, Italy and Spain. Just down the street is the brand new, $20 million The People’s House, an interactive space bringing the White House and the people behind it to life.
Photography courtesy of the Watergate Hotel.
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