Today, just like it was when it was constructed in 1963, there sits alongside a watery tributary one rather distinctive, distinguished, understated, decadently austere and elaborately appointed edifice perched on 31st Street in Washington, D.C. (You should see this place; some exquisite photos of it adorn the website rosewoodhotels.com/en/washington-dc.)
Today the building is known as the Hotel Rosewood, the name under which it conducts business as an attraction for the well-to-do seeking either a getaway night, a romantic evening on the rooftop terrace or - as this frequent guest, Barry Beck, points out in this interview on DuJour at dujour.com/beauty/bluemercury-founder-barry-beck-interview/, “an incredible selection of fine scotches.” It became the Rosewood in 2016 after three years as the Capella Hotel, which it was converted to in 2013 after being purchased in 2008. (Learn more at Washington Business Journal’s newsy piece on the changeover at bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2016/04/capella-hotel-officially-becomes-rosewood.html
As stunning of a hotel as it is, it’s hard to believe that it was initially designed and constructed as a pure straightforward stack of office suites called the Canal Building (due to a canal being located just outside the front door). The Rosewood has a pivotal place in the history of Georgetown and District of Columbia architecture and is worth dropping in for a look (or a night’s stay). Try the scotch.
