Ven Embassy Row

Project overview

A rare modernist façade in DC’s distinguished Dupont Circle, home to some of the oldest and most luxurious dwellings in the city, the Ven’s 231 guestrooms are housed in a 1970 building with a storied local past. Purchased by Lowe Capital in 2013 the Ven today represents the culmination of a years-long renovation project to refocus the hotel as a center for dining, meetings, and local culture. With convenient access to the capital, and nestled in the diplomatic corridor, the space connects visitors to two of DC’s most important areas.

The brief

This latest remodel of the historic property infuses the hotel spaces from lobby to guestrooms with a contemporary feel and artistic touches – prominently displayed artwork, local goods, statement lighting, and an open plan lobby with curved walls creating a series of lounge vignettes. As such, the rebrand needed to extend into the restrooms to maintain the overall feel of luxury and comfort. Grey laminate paneling creates a neutral, cool-toned story for the room and matching mosaic tile work with stylishly backlit mirrors make the hand-washing area a focal point of each restroom.

The solution

For such a distinguished space, The Splash Lab’s Radius Collection was a natural fit. With high-design projects like hotels, restaurants, and museums in mind, Radius products are driven by harmonious proportions and aesthetic principles. The collection’s range also makes it possible to specify a full complement of restroom fixtures and accessories in the same PVD finish. The design team at The Ven loved this concept so much they had custom mirror frames fabricated to match the PVD colorways in each restroom (matte black for the men’s rooms; copper for the women’s). PVD finishes emphasize the materiality of the brushed steel fixtures, underlining the textural elegance on display in this remodel. A Monolith C Series trough sink was also specified for its slim edges and compatibility with wall-mounted fixtures.