Armed Forces Retirement Home

Washington, DC

The Armed Forces Retirement Home has a long and distinguished history as the oldest veteran’s retirement home in America. Established in 1851, it continues to serve that function to this day, currently housing more than 1,000 retired military personnel. EE&K, as part of a large design team led by Master Developer Crescent Resources, prepared preliminary design concepts for the development of 77 acres of this property.

The development of the Armed Forces Retirement Home provides a unique opportunity to protect, preserve and enhance one of Washington DC’s significant but lesser-known treasures. The site, which in its entirety is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, contains numerous buildings of historic and architectural significance. In addition, the site is situated at one of the highest points within Washington, DC, commanding views over the Capitol and other notable monuments. The varied topography and abundance of open space on the property provide for a unique setting in the midst of an urban neighborhood.

The design team’s vision for the project was shaped by important site features, including historic buildings, landscapes and topography. The proposed concept involves a mixture of adaptive reuse and sensitive new development, retaining and building upon the general character of the site and surrounding parcels. Incorporating a mix of uses to serve the local community, adjacent and regional institutions and desired tenants, the concept design creates a special place, woven into the fabric of the city.