Arent Fox LLP opens new Washington, D.C. office

Arent Fox LLP has opened its new office at the corner of Connecticut Ave. and K St., NW. The environmentally sustainable 12-story building was designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Arent Fox occupies two-thirds of the building and the space, designed by STUDIOS Architecture and built by Clark Construction Group, LLC, includes a first-class auditorium and roof-deck that overlooks Farragut Sq. "We are pleased to announce that more than five years of hard work and careful planning have culminated in the opening of this state-of-the-art office," said Chairman Mark M. Katz. "Our lawyers will benefit from our highly efficient use of space. The new office includes all of the latest high-tech capabilities that support energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and technology. The office is a more collaborative work space and will allow us to meet our clients' requirements and respond to the demands of a highly competitive market." The firm's new office at 1717 K Street, NW is one of the largest private sector real estate projects completed in the District in recent years. In addition to an auditorium that seats 150 people and the roof-deck, the new office provides the firm with prominent signage on the building exterior; a first-floor Arent Fox reception area; a modern multi-purpose room for large events and meetings; and a 4,000 square foot fitness center. The opening is not the only new space that Arent Fox will debut in 2013. After closing 2012 with the highest gross revenue in firm history, and more than five years removed from the successful opening of the firm's Los Angeles office, Arent Fox is also formally announcing plans to open an office in San Francisco later this year. "The partnership has decided to build off the success of our Los Angeles office and establish an office in San Francisco in 2013," said Managing Partner Matthew J. Clark. "The San Francisco opening will not be done through a merger. Instead, we will open the office with Arent Fox partners and associates who will relocate to the City from Los Angeles, New York and, Washington. We expect to add partners strategically as part of both the firm's strong organic growth in California and our continued commitment to provide clients with first-rate legal services." The building at 1717 K Street, NW, was designed to achieve Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings system. Only designs that meet LEED's exacting criteria for sustainability in materials and construction, ecological and atmospheric quality, and efficiency in power and water can receive the endorsement. LEED design benefits include savings in utility costs and a healthier work climate. Mr. Katz, Real Estate partner Jeremy M. Fox, and Real Estate counsel Joseph M. Fries negotiated the lease on behalf of Arent Fox. Construction partner Andrew Ross negotiated the design agreement with STUDIOS Architecture and the construction agreement with Clark Construction Group. Commercial real estate firm Studley Inc. brokered the deal and C2C was the project manager. The developer of the project was firm client Connecticut & K Associates, LLC. Pei Cobb Freed is known across the globe for projects that include the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the entrance to the Louvre in Paris, France. Among its buildings in Washington are the International Monetary Fund Headquarters 2 and the Warner Building at 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue. In addition, Pei Cobb Freed designed the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, for which Arent Fox serves as general counsel.