Riggs Washington DC — An Historic Bank Reimagined via Greenery and Craft

The Riggs DC, Penn Quarter, Washington, DC

Developer: Lore Group, London
Architect: Perkins Eastman
Landscape Architect: Bell Design, Inc.
General Contractor: Whiting-Turner
Landscape Contractor: Hometown Landscape

Originally constructed in 1891 as the headquarters of Riggs National Bank, this landmark building has long been known as the “Bank of Presidents,” having served 23 U.S. presidents and financed some of Washington’s most significant civic projects. Its neoclassical façade, soaring banking hall, and marble‑clad interiors established it as one of the capital’s most distinguished financial institutions.

More than a century later, Lore Group and lead designer Jacu Strauss undertook a comprehensive transformation of the property, converting the historic bank into a contemporary hotel while preserving its architectural gravitas. Bell Design was brought in to extend this vision through a series of horticultural and landscape interventions that soften, enliven, and reinterpret the building’s monumental character.

Working from the newly constructed penthouse rooftop down through the public spaces, we curated a plant palette that balances durability with expressive form: selections capable of thriving in a high‑traffic hospitality environment while contributing moments of whimsy and warmth. The greenery introduces a counterpoint to the building’s classical stone and brass detailing, creating a dialogue between Old World formality and New World exuberance.

Our work includes interior and exterior plantings, custom container selections, and strategic placement that enhances circulation paths, frames architectural features, and reinforces the building’s renewed identity as a vibrant, welcoming destination. These botanical gestures bring softness to the historic fabric, helping the reimagined Riggs Washington DC feel both timeless and freshly alive.