The Jefferson Hotel Porte Cochere

Every great hotel deserves a grand entrance and the newest incarnation of The Jefferson in Washington, DC will get just that with a custom cast Porte Cochere by Robinson Iron. Extending twenty feet from the façade of the building, the cantilevered structure consists of a barrel vaulted skylight with two side extensions and an enclosed vestibule. A sculpted bronze bas relief portrait of Thomas Jefferson looks down from the crest to greet each and every arrival. Four massive cast aluminum columns elevated on bases support the cantilevered assembly and a “wave and tulip” motif (a repeat from the limestone cornice of the building) runs around the canopy top.

 This is only the most recent transformation of this historic property. In 1923, the nation had a new president in Calvin Coolidge, and Washington, DC welcomed a new luxury residential building: The Jefferson Apartment, a Beaux Arts gem by Jules Henri de Sibour. It was the address of choice for Washingtonians in the know. 1955 saw the apartment’s conversion into a hotel, and The Jefferson was born. With a guest list that reads like a Who’s Who of political and social circles, The Jefferson established a reputation as Washington’s most discerning hotel, known for its attention to detail, exceptional service and exquisite interiors filled with European and American antiques and Jeffersonian artifacts. Today’s restoration will enable guests to connect with modern technologies or simply relax amid the luxurious surroundings.

Robinson Iron incorporated numerous mechanical and electrical conveniences into the design of this entrance canopy. Provisions were made for: roof mounted lights, can lights, track lighting, full HVAC, independent heaters, a sprinkler system, cameras, miscellaneous electrical outlets and an emergency horn/strobe light unit. All of which had to be contained within a stamped metal ceiling approximately sixteen inches in depth. Fortunately Robinson engineer, Bobby Patterson, is adept at solving such issues brilliantly. As you can see it all came together to present a functional and elegant effect.

General Contractor: Sigal Construction, Arlington, VA

Architect: Pamela M. Blom, AIA, Oehrlein & Associates Architects

Structural Engineer: Holbert Apple Associates, Olney, MD

Project Manager for Robinson Iron: Austin Robinson

A carved detail from the Hotel’s limestone cornice provided the inspiration for the canopy’s cast aluminum crest.

An oval Quill in the crest was later changed to a bas relief of Thomas Jefferson.

Cast pendants are primed and waiting to be mounted to the canopy frame.

Part of the structural frame.

Two solid roof segments are connected by a barrel vault skylight.

Taking shape on the shop floor.

Corner detail.

Two separate side patterns allow the crest to run in opposite directions.

Loading the flatbed trailer for delivery to D.C.

On site where the erected steel support columns receive one side of the canopy.

Loading the flatbed trailer for delivery to D.C..

An exact fit.

A fabricated vestibule, the center skylight and another solid segment complete the assembly.

Cast column covers sheath the structural steel supports.

Custom pressed metal ceiling panels finish out the canopy.

All that remains are the clean-up and the arrival of the first guests!