Café Riggs Bar (Photo Credit Jennifer Hughes for Riggs Washington DC.
The 181-room hotel sits on a prominent corner of the city’s Penn Quarter neighborhood and features a grand cafe and brasserie, cocktail bar, and rooftop event space.
NEW YORK – Riggs Washington DC, a brand-new independent hotel from Lore Group, has officially opened in the capital’s thriving Penn Quarter neighborhood. Riggs, the first U.S. property from the international hospitality company behind renowned hotels Sea Containers London and Pulitzer Amsterdam, is located on the downtown corner of 9th and F Street in a historic building once home to Riggs National Bank, known as the “Bank of Presidents.”
In conceptualizing and designing the property, Lore Group Creative Director Jacu Strauss invoked the spirit of the former bank while preserving and restoring much of the property’s original design features to reimagine the storied building for the modern traveler. The 181-room property features playful nods to the building’s rich past, drawing on the parallels between the activities that take place in banks and at hotels to offer something personal and serendipitous around every corner.
“Lore Group continues to explore ways to deliver inspired and approachable hospitality concepts to interesting places around the world,” said Billy Skelli-Cohen, CEO of Lore Group. “With Riggs Washington DC, we have created a hotel and F&B concepts that celebrate both the legacy of the building – and the history of the city – through unexpected details and a thoughtful approach to guest experience.”
Upon entering Riggs, guests are welcomed into the building’s original barrel-vaulted lobby where the hotel’s expansive ceilings are adorned with impressive and elaborate coffers. A medallion of Juno Moneta, the Goddess of Money, presides over the room, while original features have been given a new lease of life and the grandeur of the building embraced to create a welcoming and inspired hotel that is deeply rooted in D.C. and its impressive history.
In the rooms and suites, guests will find the minibar and safe hidden within a design aesthetic that mirrors a traditional steel safe, with a brass plaque of Juno Moneta on the front. Terracotta orange painted walls complement a striking headboard and wall covering pattern – a bespoke design by George Venson from NYC-based design studio Voutsa. The bathrooms feature a classic navy palette, Italian Carrara marble, chrome hardware and amenities from fragrance house D.S. & Durga in its signature Debaser scent.
A total of 15 suites are available, including four ‘First Lady’ suites that are inspired by the eccentricities of a select few Presidents’ unsung better halves. The color palette, furniture selection, and layout of each of these suites was designed and curated by Strauss to be completely unique and styled based on these distinct interests. The Louisa Adams Suite, dedicated to the First Lady credited for encouraging music during gatherings at The White House, features a baby grand piano and references to other musical instruments displayed in an artistic way. The Ida McKinley Suite, inspired by Mrs. McKinley’s love of flowers and plants and her introduction of them throughout the White House, contains hues of pink, purple, green and yellow – showcasing a colorful vibrancy suggestive of a flower bouquet. Known for being a bit more on the extravagant side, Angelica Van Buren’s Suite reflects her opulence in a playful way with rich gold and red accents. The Caroline Harrison Suite, who played a large role in
starting a collection of porcelain that later developed into a tradition for The White House, features a color theme that revolves around pale blues and bone china whites – with an assortment of decorative Wedgewood Jasperware and other porcelain items collected from antique markets and stores throughout D.C. and beyond.
As Washington, D.C. becomes even more revered for its burgeoning food and drink scene, Riggs brings something unique to the current offering. Inspired by the grand brasseries of Europe, Cafe Riggs offers traditional grace through a reimagined lens to bring a modern restaurant to The District. Nestled on the ground floor of the hotel, the restaurant serves an all-day menu from the bar, cafe and dining room – all enveloped by the building’s original architectural features. Between the Corinthian columns and expansive ceilings, the grand space is an ideal setting for a celebratory fete, a casual drink, or a simple coffee and pastry. Cafe Riggs celebrates its traditional European influences through an unexpected lens, offering comforting fare, reimagined favorites, and an expansive plant-based menu – including delights such as croque monsieur, caviar grilled cheese, and sunchoke with freekeh and honey. By night, the bar at Cafe Riggs features a concise, approachable wine list as well as classic cocktails and a tightly curated food menu to accompany the evening atmosphere.
In contrast, Riggs’ lower level is home to Silver Lyan, a subterranean cocktail bar by internationally acclaimed bartender and Lore Group’s Global Bar Innovator Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka “Mr Lyan”). In signature Lyan fashion (and as evident with his bar Lyaness at Sea Containers London as well as Super Lyan at Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam), the concept reimagines the traditional hotel bar, delivering something wildly disruptive to the current D.C. landscape – a groundbreaking blend of classical and kitsch styles. The brand’s very first U.S. venture, Silver Lyan focuses on the history of cultural exchange in America, bringing elevated irreverence to the grand space to pay tribute to the past, present and future of the country, as well as the storied building. Innovative ingredients pair with traditional techniques and flavors to deliver a collaborative offering of bespoke cocktails and shareable snacks – offering surprises like the “Japanese Saddle,” a Sakura Sour cocktail which pays homage to Japan’s gift of cherry blossoms, and the “Project Apollo” which incorporates “Moonrock gin” to honor our nation’s brave space explorers.
Riggs offers a multitude of meetings and event spaces suitable for everything from intimate private dining to grand weddings and parties on the rooftop. The crown of the building is Rooftop at Riggs, a 2,500-sq.ft space with panoramic views over the city and an impressive roof enclosure complete with a 1,500-sq.ft terrace. The largest of the meetings and event spaces, Rooftop at Riggs can accommodate 120 seated and up to 230 for a reception. For smaller gatherings, the two-bedroom Riggs Suite on the hotel’s 10th floor offers the original bank boardroom table that can seat up to 12. Additional meetings space can be found in Cafe Riggs, which is home to a semi-private dining room that can be reserved for seated dinners and reception-style events up to 30, and a private dining room for seated meetings, lunch and dinners up to 18, and receptions up to 27. Additional hotel facilities include a 1,800-sq.ft wellness center featuring state-of-the-art equipment, including Peloton bikes, and a boxing punch bag.
Located in the heart of downtown D.C., Riggs is ideally situated opposite the National Portrait Gallery and within walking distance of many of the capital’s must-see attractions including The White House, Capitol Hill, the National Mall and Memorial Park. Having been rejuvenated over the last two decades, Penn Quarter is having a moment, offering a host of innovative restaurants and bars, the Capitol One Arena, Chinatown, and new luxury shopping development CityCenterDC
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
