If you’ve seen the elegant façade on part of the Woodward & Lothrop Building lately, you can’t help but notice what a difference a stroke of color can make. To put it simply, the G Street side between 10th and 11th Streets of the Woodies Building resembles a chic, dazzling jewel. Formerly lackluster, its decorative cast iron and glass accents, with flower designs and the Woodward & Lothrop monogram, now radiate with shades of blue, green, yellow and red. Even AOL’s Huffington Post news website commented, sharing the change with more than 100 million unique monthly visitors. Why all the hoopla? Besides the stunning transformation, the historic building—built in several phases and occupying almost the entire block surrounded by 10th, 11th, F, and G Streets—is a prominent city landmark. Nationally known architect Henry Ives Cobb designed the G Street building, where Forever 21 (1020 G Street) resides. Ah, so youthful appeal is behind the change? Well, developer-owner Douglas Jemal would only say that he wanted the change because “I like it.” Meanwhile, the news website story noted “the new colors were chosen because they are similar to those used around the time the details were installed.” Whatever the reason, the final results are spectacular!
