The Lyle

From its inception as a residential area on the outskirts of our nation’s capital to a catalyst location in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and its current incarnation as a bohemian landscape of coffee shops and boutiques, Dupont Circle has long sat at the intersection of Washington’s cultural identity and progressive momentum. Located several blocks northeast of this burgeoning hub, The Lyle has now been reimagined as a luxurious experiential hospitality destination sure to engage guests’ senses and aesthetic sensibilities.

Working in close collaboration with a range of stakeholders, OTJ served as executive architect with a mandate to translate the project’s design vision into built solutions that would maximize the possibilities of the original 1930’s structure while adhering to strict budgetary and scheduling parameters. The program is comprised of 196 keys distributed across eight floors. Rooms feature kitchenettes to serve the needs of traveling families, white marble bathrooms, and plush rattan furniture. To address contemporary guest privacy concerns, our team recast an unused service shaft as a staff elevator that overcomes conveyance challenges without compromising the historic elements of the property. The Lyle’s expanded and renovated basement, complete with galley kitchen and conference room, maximizes limited ceiling height through redesigned ductwork. Further, OTJ worked in partnership with consultants to incorporate sustainable, contemporary lighting solutions within the existing structure’s main lobby, restaurant, lounges, and gym.

Aesthetically, the interior design evokes the original residential character of the property while emulating its Art Deco exterior. OTJ led the selection of palettes and finishes in public spaces to feature marble floors with a flamed finish in alternating shades of black and white among other design solutions that balance historic character and 21st century appeal. To increase the visual and sequential connection between the lobby and restaurant, screens with a delicate pattern of dandelion and white glass were designed to replace the existing opaque dividing walls. Burl wood, Berber carpets, and an assortment of earth toned finishes define The Lyle as a vibrant metropolitan destination sure to outperform competitor properties.