1331's facades, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, echo the stately aesthetics of the Federal buildings along 14th Street; the artful arrangement of balconies, terraces, and setbacks bring a modern residential vitality to the design.
Prominently sited where the 14th Street Bridge enters the District, but entered via a secluded cul-de-sac at the end of Maryland Avenue, 1331 possesses both a monumental quality and a warm, welcoming residential character.
1331’s Maryland Avenue entrance features a magnificent double-height glass portal with honed Fior di Bosco marble. Within, a sculptural satin-finished brass chandelier animates the lobby, while the room’s 15-foot ceiling height lends the space a stately grandeur. Six massive, fluted stained-oak columns, complemented by a Zebrino marble herringbone-patterned floor, create a sophisticated white and grey palette. A grand stairwell with slender metal railings and an oval wall clad with a butterfly mosaic, leads to the resident fitness center. Thoughtfully arranged seating and soft warm lighting offer an atmosphere that’s comfortable and welcoming.
Robert A.M. Stern Architects is known for designing buildings that capture the spirit of the places in which they build – they are portrait artists, adapting the principles of Classicism to modern needs and technologies. This approach has enabled the firm to create record-setting residential buildings for its clients, bringing new vitality to timetested forms. The firm's founder Robert A.M. Stern and his Partners Paul L. Whalen and Sargent C. Gardiner have dedicated their careers to understanding how people want to live in cities. 1331 is yet another example of Robert A.M. Stern Architects' ability to deliver a fresh, contemporary building that reflects the heritage and advantages of its location.
