A first look at plans for 4250 Connecticut’s renovation

by Marlene Berlin

When Fannie Mae moves out in November, the owner of 4250 Connecticut wants to get to work right away to transform the building into a more modern space for office and retail tenants.

Bernstein Management and architects from Perkins+Will and the Landscape Architecture Bureau presented early conceptual plans for the renovation at the March 20th meeting of ANC 3F. (Here’s the video. The presentation begins at about 1:38:00.)

Some of the planned facade and landscaping changes, from the March 20th presentation. (Image courtesy of Bernstein Management)

Rendering of 4250 Connecticut after renovation. (image courtesy of Bernstein Management)

The details are still being worked out, but planned changes include the following:

Creating a more welcoming and visible retail space by lowering the planters to ground level and grading to below, using two-story light glass fronts and possibly creating a wider stairways.

A view of the Van Ness Metro’s west entrance from the retail walkway. (Image courtesy of Bernstein Management)

Opening the entrance to the courtyard between the Starbucks and the main building by moving the The Music of the Spheres sculpture to a new location on the UDC campus.

Creating an inviting promenade leading to the rear of the building by taking down a wall and creating a wider walkway with larger green areas.

Rendering of the north side of the interior courtyard. (Image courtesy of Bernstein Management)

An upper level of the courtyard today.

Expanding the internal courtyard, and adding lots of greenery and places to sit and gather.

Another perspective from the internal courtyard. (Image courtesy of Bernstein Management)

Bernstein Vice President Fred Bernstein is managing the renovation of this building and recently joined the board of Van Ness Main Street. He says the plans got a positive reception at the meeting.

“We are very excited to begin the process of transforming 4250 Connecticut Avenue from a relatively uninviting and uninspiring building and experience to a vibrant destination for both our future tenants and the community,” he said in an email.