Tower Cos. to line interiors with Gold

Soon after the Tower Cos.’ building at 1828 L St. NW was named one of the most efficient office buildings in the U.S. (it just got the EPA’s Energy Star rating), the company told me about the next sustainable plans it has for the CBD building.

It is getting ready to build a new fitness center, management office and spec space in the 41-year-old building -- all of which are designed to achieve the LEED-CI Gold seal. Also in the design plans is bamboo flooring that has river rock accents and lit glass walls.

The 2,442 square-foot fitness center, 1,254 square-foot management office and 1,549 square-foot spec space will all be on the second floor of the 12-story building.

“The spec office space is just that, a spec office for a future tenant that needs space in a hurry,” said Charles Wallach, director of leasing and tenant construction at the Tower Cos.

The quick construction project is expected to start in early September and wrap up by Nov. 1.

The gym, which will be open to the 313,603 square-foot building's 28 commercial and four retail tenants, will contain high end cardio and strength equipment, a stretching area, showers, lockers and towel service.

Materials used in the new second floor spaces will be either from recycled content or recyclable, including but not limited to drywall, aluminum studs, and bamboo cabinets and flooring.

The management office and spec space will have interior glass partitions to maximize daylight intake since the space is along the alley, said Wallach.