UPDATE: A press release incorrectly stated that the Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School had been closed for 25 years. That is incorrect. This article has been updated to reflect the correct number of years it was closed.
On Tuesday, the Office of the Mayor, D.C. Public Schools, District Department of General Services, and Perkins Eastman DC unveiled a totally renovated and restored Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School. The Washington, D.C. school dates all the way back to 1932 and has been closed for the past 25 three years. When open, the school served nearly 1,000 traditional students in grades nine through 12.
During the renovation and restoration, the developer demolished 30,000 square feet of additions. In a press release, it stated that these additions dated back to the 1970s and "degraded the quality of the learning environment."
The demolition process also revealed two commissioned frescos from 1934 that have since been restored and are now prominently displayed at the top of the grand stairs.
The building’s cupola has also been restored. According to a press release, this cupola is a local landmark that distinguishes the building from the neighborhood.
Because of the restoration and renovation, the high school has received the Preservation Award from the DC Preservation League, the Vision Award from The Committee of 100 on the Federal City, the Award of Merit in Renovation/Restoration from ENR Regional Mid-Atlantic, and the American InHouse Design Award from Graphic Design USA.
The 327,870-square-foot property features three courtyards, an atrium, 10,000-square-foot electro-chromic skylight, and a new library. The building is pending LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.