The Midtown is part of a long and storied history of Thomas Circle and the Downtown neighborhood of Washington, DC. In 1948 the existing structure on the southern side of Massachusetts Ave was demolished to make way for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops administration building. In 1995 we returned the favor and the Midtown was born.
Historic Thomas Circle and the construction of NCCB
Thomas Circle. This is a photocopy of a steroescopic (3D) image. The photo was taken from the top of the Portland Flats apartment building, said to be the first apartment building in Washington, DC. It was razed in 1962. A Marriott Hotel and CVS now stand at that site. Photo circa 1880.
Demolition of the church at 1312 Mass Ave, circa 1948.
1312 Mass during construction for the NCCB, circa 1948. The apartment building to the left was demolished some time afterwards.
National Council of Catholic Bishops, 1312 Mass Ave.
Removal of “Jesus Hailing a Cab” and construction of The Midtown
Looking down on pedestal.
Sidewalk in front of 1312 Mass Ave, 1995.
Pedestal where Jesus once stood, 1995.
Rear view of 1312 Mass Ave, before construction for Midtown Condominium.
Exterior during demolition.
Interior during demolition, 1995.
Interior during demolition.
Form for new front stairway and stoop.
Iron framework for balconies.
Interior during construction.
Interior during construction.
Interior vent ducts during construction.
Interior during construction. Hole in floor to left is south stairwell. Hole to right is for elevator shafts.
Crane hoisting materials to roof.
Interior during construction. Metal framework shows location of interior walls. Photo taken from unit 808 facing north-west.
Interior during construction.
Interior during construction. Visible at left is an HVAC unit. These units and their frames were salvaged and reused in the Midtown. They still work great!
Interior during construction.
Interior during construction. Metal studs were used for all interior walls.
Exterior during construction.
Front of 1312 Mass Ave during demolition, 1995. The entire building was gutted.
Rear of 1312 Mass Ave, facing west. A piece of equipment (heat pump?) is ready to be lifted to the roof.
Exterior during construction.
Exterior during construction.
View from roof facing west.
Adding the west side of the eighth floor. Photo taken from the approximate location of the front entranceway of unit 801.
Interior during construction, facing north. Photo taken from bedroom of unit 808.
A concrete pumper sits where the garage floor is now.
Interior during construction.
Interior during construction.
"I've never seen one of those before." Interior during construction.
Rear of 1312 Mass during construction. The ground level is the garage, and the first floor is directly above. Notice the enlarged windows that will become patio doors for the first floor units. 1312 Mass Ave, 1995.
Rear of building during construction. Three windows on the first floor have been opened wider to become patio doors for first floor units.
Exterior during demolition.
The Midtown prior to the 2020 renovation
Old lobby before renovation.
Old lobby before renovation.
View of the old lobby before renovation.
