Riggs Washington DC, Model Room.
The 181-room hotel sits on a prominent corner of the city’s Penn Quarter neighbourhood 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, is set to open in the capital’s thriving Penn Quarter neighborhood in early 2020. 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 concepting 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. The181-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 the two-bedroom Riggs Suite within the original bank boardroom and four ‘First Lady’ suites that are inspired by the eccentricities of a select few Presidents’ unsung better halves: Ida McKinley’s green thumb, Angelica Van Buren’s opulence, Louisa Adams’ intense love for music and Caroline Harrison’s extensive collection of porcelain. 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.
As Washington D.C. becomes even more revered for its burgeoning food and drink scene, Riggs brings something unexpected to the current offering. The hotel’s restaurant Cafe Riggs is an alloccasion affair inspired by the grand brasseries of Europe, with a modern and reimagined approach that focuses on sustainable products. The bright and airy space features a variety of custom furniture pieces, artworks, and mirrors nestled amongst the building’s original architectural features, including
historic Corinthian columns, expansive ceilings, and classically inspired stonework.
In contrast, Riggs’ lower level is home to Silver Lyan, a subterranean cocktail bar by internationallyacclaimed bartender and Lore Group’s Global Bar Innovator Ryan Chetiyawardana (“Mr Lyan”). In signature Lyan fashion (and as evident with 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 – and the storied building.
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 200 seated and up to 250 for a reception. For smaller gatherings, the Riggs Suite on the hotel’s 10th floor offers a boardroom table that can seat up to 12. Additional meetings space can be found in Cafe Riggs, which is home to two private dining rooms that can be reserved for seated dinners up to 22 or reception-style events for up to 42.
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, 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.
