Plaza Tower Renovation

Lord Aeck Sargent, working in collaboration with DP Partners, designed the renovation of the Howard University Plaza Towers, two 10-story residence halls constructed circa 1988.

The program calls for the renovation of all residential units, with new finishes, millwork, and fixtures, as well as replacements for HVAC and fire protection systems. The renovated West Tower houses 819 beds, with an additional 982 beds planned for the East Tower.

The ground floor of the West Tower is now the common space for both buildings. A large fitness room and a recreation space featuring traditional table games and video gaming stations replaced units in the south wing. Enclosed study spaces, a computer lab with a printing station and a classroom replaced units in the west wing. A large open space adjacent to these rooms serves as a study lounge with movable furniture to support individual or group work. Between these two wings, the design removed units to create social lounges near the building’s elevator core and a refurbished lobby with a grab-and-go retail and food service facility. The east wing houses mail and package facilities, as well as building management offices. The north wing includes a multi-purpose space with an adjacent warming kitchen to support special events, as well as several faculty apartments. 

Common spaces on the ground floor of the East Tower, which include lobby, student lounge and study rooms, are being refurbished to serve the residents of the building.

The West Tower opened in fall 2017; the East Tower will open in fall 2018.

Practice Areas