(WASHINGTON, DC) – Hines, the international real estate firm; Munich Re Group, its investor partner; and Hogan Lovells, the project’s major tenant; celebrated the installation of artworks commissioned specifically for Columbia Square by two Washington, DC based contemporary artists, Linn Meyers and Robin Rose. Art consultant Peggy Sparks, principal of Artist’s Proof, managed the art commissioning process.
Linn Meyers (www.linnmeyers.com) has created for Columbia Square a triptych of oversized panels (each panel measures 15 feet tall and 9 feet wide) produced with mixed medium on panel. The pattern of dots and open spaces seem to cause the pieces to undulate when viewed. Meyers received her BFA from Cooper Union (The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art), a private university in New York, New York and her MFA from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.
Robin Rose (www.robinroseart.com) has created two paintings for Columbia Square that hang on opposing walls: a predominantly white piece titled “Veil” and a mainly red piece titled “Infer.” Both were produced using an ancient technique known as “encaustic” or “hot wax” painting. The process, as refined by Rose, uses beeswax, carnauba wax, resin and powdered pigments. This “paint” is kept molten on a heated palette (185 degrees) and applied to the panels. It can be manipulated using a variety of heated tools and techniques. Each painting is 11 feet wide and 7 feet high and are produced using encaustic over linen on aluminum Hexcel panels. Rose received his BFA and MFA from Florida State University.
Hines and Munich Re Group have been proactively making improvements to Columbia Square to further enhance the property’s impressive environment for its tenants and to ensure Columbia Square maintains its trophy status for years to come. The installation of the new art supports the improvement strategies by transforming the atrium lobby in an impactful way.
Completed in 1987, Columbia Square was Hines’ first project in Washington, DC. It is a 600,000-square-foot, 13-story trophy office building located in the east end of Washington’s central business district and is proud to have had the law firm of Hogan Lovells as its anchor tenant since its opening. Hines developed the building and currently manages it in partnership with MEAG, Munich Re Group’s asset manager. Designed by world-renowned architectural firm I.M. Pei & Partners, the property has earned LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and the ENERGY STAR® designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Columbia Square features a grand 13-story atrium lobby accented by 30-foot-high columns that support cantilevered offices overlooking the open space.
The public is invited to view the artworks during the building’s normal operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The building is not opened to the public on Sundays and holidays. Columbia Square is conveniently located at 555 13th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, just above Metrorail’s Metro Center station (use the 12th and F Street exit).
About Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells is a global legal practice that assists corporations, financial institutions, and governmental entities across the spectrum with their critical business and legal issues. The firm has over 2,500 lawyers operating out of more than 40 offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States. Hogan Lovells became a top 10 global legal services provider in May 2010 through a merger of two firms with international credentials, U.S.-based firm Hogan & Hartson and European based firm Lovells. Today Hogan Lovells carries on the 112-year tradition of excellence established by its founders and further builds on their legacy. For more information visit www.hoganlovells.com.
About MEAG
MEAG stands for best practice asset management for Munich Re and ERGO. MEAG has representations in Europe, Asia and North America and also offers its extensive know-how to institutional investors and private clients from outside the Munich Re Group. MEAG currently manages assets valued at approximately $300 billion.
About Artist’s Proof
Located in the heart of Georgetown in Washington D.C., Artist’s Proof brings great contemporary art to the city. This fine art gallery represents highly talented visual artists locally and from around the world. The gallery also specializes in art advisory services for residential, hospitality and corporate spaces having consulted in major projects in the US and around the world. The gallery provides professional consultation throughout the art acquisitions process. (www.aproof.net)
About Hines
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 201 cities in 21 countries. Hines has approximately $100 billion of assets under management, including $54.5 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, and $45.5 billion for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The firm has 113 developments currently underway around the world. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired 1,262 properties, totaling over 414 million square feet. The firm’s current property and asset management portfolio includes 529 properties, representing over 213 million square feet. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a pioneering commitment to sustainability, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.
