In 2022, the Rubell Museum designed by Beyer Blinder Belle opened its doors in Southwest D.C. Behind its stately brick facade, traces of the building’s history as a junior high school were left on view: exposed timber rafters, ironwork, and terrazzo flooring. Now, a new residential building, Gallery 64, has opened next door by the same New York–based architecture office; like the art gallery it neighbors the use of simple materials and a subdued color palette make it ideal for displaying art.
The new housing development integrates with the Rubell Museum through shared courtyards Gallery 64 offers 492 units spread throughout 548,000 square feet. According to Beyer Blinder Belle, 20 percent of the units are affordable.
Located at 64 H Street SouthWest, Gallery 64 is a 12-story, boxy residential building not far from the Washington Navy Yard. Cumulatively, the development has over 21,000 square feet of green roofs fitted, an underground garage, and a publicly accessible landscaped courtyard that can be shared by museum-goers, residents, and the community.
The architects call Gallery 64 an arts-and-culture-focused development that takes advantage of the myriad cultural institutions in direct proximity to the building, and in nearby neighborhoods. Much like the adjacent contemporary at space, the architects opted for a smooth and minimal aesthetic. Throughout, polished concrete floors and understated details mirror the interiors of the Rubell Museum. The lobby, corridors, and other communal amenity spaces will be lacquered with art by local artists.
The project was developed by Lowe and Mitsui Fudosan America. The building offers a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Gallery 64 features two-level, townhouse-style residences, meant to enhance the street’s vibrancy with pedestrian connectivity and visual appeal. An added perk: residents enjoy free membership to the Rubell Museum, and exclusive access to local arts venues, including Arena Stage and ARTECHOUSE.
Previously, Beyer Blinder Belle has embarked on other important D.C. projects. The office has helped renovate the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and the Kennedy Center. The firm has also worked on interiors for the Smithsonian and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and various mixed-use and residential buildings throughout the DMV.
Gallery 64 is just one of 18 properties in the U.S. with LEED Platinum certification, the architects said. It also marks the first LEED Platinum privately-owned residential property in Washington, D.C.
