Draft:Riggs Washington DC

5-star luxury hotel in Washington, D.C. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Riggs Washington DC is a 5-star hotel in Dupont Circle, located in the historic Riggs Bank building. It opened in 2020 as part of the Lore Group. [1] The hotel is located at 900 F Street in Washington, D.C.


TypeHotel
Architectural styleRichardsonian Romanesque
Location900 F Street, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates38.8971°N 77.0244°W / 38.8971; -77.0244
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[Riggs Washington DC]
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General information
TypeHotel
Architectural styleRichardsonian Romanesque
Location900 F Street, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates38.8971°N 77.0244°W / 38.8971; -77.0244
OpeningFebruary 2020 (2020-02)
OperatorLore Group
Design and construction
ArchitectPerkins Eastman
DeveloperJacu Strauss
Other information
Number of rooms181
Number of restaurants1
Number of bars3
Facilities24-hour gym
ParkingValet parking
Website
www.riggsdc.com
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Riggs DC has 181 rooms and suites, including a selection of suites celebrating famous First Ladies throughout American history. There are also nine accessible rooms and the hotel welcomes smaller dogs.

The hotel was designed by Jacu Strauss and the interiors pay homage to the landmark building’s history.[2]

There is a restaurant and two bars on site, including Silver Lyan, a cocktail bar by Ryan Chetiyawardana (“Mr Lyan”), as well as a speakeasy called The Dishonesty Bar with a secret location.

Riggs DC also features meeting rooms, event spaces and wedding venues and offers valet parking, bicycle hire and digital check-in to guests. There is also a 24-hour gym on site.

History

Riggs Washington DC opened in 2020. The site was previously occupied by the headquarter of Riggs National Bank. Global Holdings Management Group purchased the building in 2017 then joined up with the Lore Group to transform it into a 5-star hotel still paying homage to the former bank.[3]

History of Riggs National Bank

Riggs National Bank, built in 1891 in Richardsonian Romanesque style, was known as the “Bank of Presidents”, serving 23 U.S. Presidents and numerous diplomats and public figures. It financed major historical events like Morse’s telegraph, Robert Peary's Arctic expedition, the Alaska purchase, and U.S. Capitol expansion, and helped inspire the creation of the Federal Reserve.

During the Great Depression, Riggs Bank director Robert V. Fleming served as an adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its president, Charles C. Glover, was also a key philanthropist who helped establish many of Washington, D.C.’s parks and landmarks like the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute or Rock Creek Park.[4]

In the early 20th century, the bank launched a successful effort to attract embassies and diplomats, and by 1950, most of Washington’s embassies were among its clients.

Former Bank, Now Hotel

After two money-laundering scandals and an investigation, the bank got acquired by PNC Financial Services Group in 2005.[5] In 2017 Global Holdings Management Group bought the former bank building and alongside Lore Group hospitality company, they transformed it into a 5-star hotel, Riggs Washington DC.[6]

Construction and Design

The construction works lasted for more than two years with Riggs Washington DC opening in February 2020. The complete refurbishment was inspired by the building's historic role as a bank and the golden age of banking in general.[7]

The refurbishment and the hotel's new design was shaped by Lore Group's Creative Director, designer Jacu Strauss who kept the original banking halls that feature white Corinthian columns. These now form part of the on-site restaurant, Café Riggs.

All rooms and suites are reminiscent of a private safety deposit box and the hotel's lobby and check-in area also kept the original features as an additional nod to the banking era in Washington, D.C.[8]

First Lady Suites

Riggs DC is home to four First Lady Suites; each paying homage to a famous First Lady. These are the Ida Saxton McKinley, Caroline Harrison, Louisa Adams and Angelica Van Buren. Each design of these luxury suites are inspired by the interest of these former presidential spouses from flowers and porcelain to classical music and jewellery.[9]

Facilities

The hotel contains 181 rooms and suites and offers accessible and dog-friendly accommodations. There is also a gym that is open all day.

Restaurant and Bars

Café Riggs is a contemporary restaurant offering French and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Bar at Café Riggs is located at the hotel's lounge area and offers communal dining with a bar menu.

Silver Lyan is the hotel's cocktail bar from the team of Mr Lyan, aka Ryan Chetiyawardana.[10] It was awarded the Best New American Cocktail Bar in 2020.[11]

The Dishonesty Bar, the hotel's speakeasy has a secret location and can be booked for a private party of 12.

Event Spaces and Venues

Riggs DC has meeting rooms and event venues on-site from a rooftop space and a boardroom to private dining rooms. The hotel also operates as a wedding venue and offers packages.

Amenities

The hotel amenities at Riggs Washington DC include a 24-hour gym, dry cleaning and laundry services, valet parking, bicycle rental, in-room dining, ADA accessible rooms, digital check-in and guest experience team.

Sustainability

Riggs Washington DC is impact certified by FuturePlus in recognition of the hotel's sustainability efforts.[12]

Awards & Recognition

Riggs Washington DC is a One MICHELIN Key hotel[13] and was also awarded by TripAdvisor for a Traveler's Choice Award in 2025. It also holds an AAA Four Diamond distinction. [14]

References

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