Walk down 17th Street in the District and you’ll feel it. That specific, humming energy of K Street’s immediate orbit. It's the sound of briefcases hitting pavement and the low mumble of lobbyists talking shop over overpriced espressos. Right at the intersection of 17th and L, you’ll find 1101 17th Street NW Washington DC. It isn't a flashy glass skyscraper that looks like a geometric puzzle, and honestly, that’s exactly why people like it. It’s a workhorse. A twelve-story anchor in the heart of the Central Business District that has seen more deals closed than most of us have had hot dinners.
When you look at the skyline of DC, you realize it's a game of inches. Heights are capped by the Height of Buildings Act of 1910, so architects have to get creative with footprint and interior flow. This building, often referred to as the 1717 L Street project because it occupies that prominent corner, is a prime example of mid-century bones getting a modern facelift to keep up with the tech-heavy demands of 2026.
The Reality of Location at 1101 17th Street NW Washington DC
Location is a cliché until you're the one trying to catch a 5:00 PM train at Union Station or sprinting to a meeting at the White House. This building sits roughly three blocks from the executive mansion. That’s not just a "nice to have" feature; for law firms and government relations groups, it’s the entire point.
You’ve got the Farragut North (Red Line) and Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver Lines) Metro stations just a few minutes away on foot. If you’ve ever tried to park in Downtown DC, you know the Metro isn't just a "green choice"—it’s a sanity choice. The walkability score here is basically a perfect 100. You are surrounded by the heavy hitters: the Mayflower Hotel is just up the street, and the National Geographic Society is practically your neighbor.
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What’s Actually Inside?
Inside, the building offers about 215,000 square feet of office space. It’s managed by some of the bigger names in DC real estate, often shifting through portfolios like those of JLL or Cushman & Wakefield depending on the cycle. The floor plates are roughly 20,000 square feet. This is the "Goldilocks" zone for mid-sized firms. It’s large enough to feel prestigious but small enough that a boutique agency can lease a half-floor and not feel like they’re shouting into a void.
The lobby went through a massive renovation a few years back. They ditched the tired, dark aesthetics of the 80s for high-end finishes, better lighting, and a vibe that says "we have a Bloomberg terminal and we know how to use it." There’s a fitness center, which is standard now, but the rooftop terrace is the real winner. In DC, rooftop access is the ultimate currency. If you can host a cocktail mixer with a view of the Washington Monument or the Cathedral, you've already won half the battle with your clients.
Why the "B" Class Office Myth is Wrong
There’s this annoying tendency for real estate "experts" to label everything that isn't brand-new glass as "Class B" office space. It’s a bit of a snub. 1101 17th Street NW Washington DC proves that "Class A" is a state of mind (and maintenance). The building has consistently maintained high occupancy because it offers something the new builds at the Wharf or Navy Yard can't: established proximity.
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- Infrastructure: It has redundant power and high-speed fiber. In 2026, if your Zoom call lags, you’re dead in the water. This building keeps the lights on.
- Retail: The ground floor isn't just empty shells. It usually hosts practical stuff—think high-end coffee or quick-service healthy eats that the lunch crowd actually wants.
- Efficiency: Because the building is a rectangle, the "loss factor" (the space you pay for but can't actually put a desk in) is lower than in those weirdly shaped modern buildings.
The Economic Ripple Effect
Let’s talk money. Leasing at 1101 17th Street NW isn't cheap, but it’s competitive. While trophy buildings a block over might be asking for $80 or $90 per square foot, a well-maintained spot like this sits in a sweet spot that allows firms to keep their overhead manageable while still maintaining a "power address."
We’ve seen a shift in who rents here. It used to be strictly lobbyists. Now? It’s tech consultants, green energy startups, and non-profits that need to be near the levers of power. The vacancy rates in DC have been weird lately—work-from-home changed everything—but the "Golden Triangle" area where this building sits has remained surprisingly resilient. People still need to meet in person when the stakes are high.
Navigating the Neighborhood
If you're working at or visiting 1101 17th Street NW Washington DC, you aren't just stuck in an office. You're in the heart of the "power lunch" district. You have The Palm nearby, which is iconic for its caricatures of DC elite. Or you can grab something faster at the local stalls. It’s a mix of old-school grit and new-school convenience.
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The security is tight, as you’d expect. Most buildings in this corridor require high-level badging or pre-clearance for visitors. It’s just the nature of the beast when you’re this close to the Treasury and the White House.
Practical Insights for Tenants and Visitors
If you're looking at this space for your business, don't just look at the rent. Look at the HVAC. Look at the windows. 1101 17th Street NW has undergone significant mechanical upgrades to improve air filtration—a huge talking point post-pandemic.
- Commuting: If you drive, the garage is accessible via L Street. It’s tight. If you have a massive SUV, may God have mercy on your rims.
- Sustainability: The building has chased LEED certifications. It matters for government contractors who have to meet certain "green" thresholds to win bids.
- Flexibility: They offer some "spec suites." These are move-in-ready offices where you don't have to spend six months picking out carpet samples. You just show up and start working.
What Most People Miss
People think the Central Business District is "dead" on weekends. They’re mostly right. But that’s actually a perk. If you’re a firm that needs to do heavy-duty server migrations or office moves on a Saturday, you aren't fighting tourists or parade traffic like you would be over by the National Mall. It’s quiet.
Honestly, the building’s greatest strength is its lack of ego. It doesn’t try to be the tallest or the shiniest. It just provides a high-functioning environment in the most important zip code in the country. It’s a place for people who have work to do and don't want the building to get in the way of doing it.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are considering 1101 17th Street NW Washington DC for your firm or a client, your first move should be a "walking audit" of the block at different times of day. See the morning rush at 8:30 AM and the "happy hour" exodus at 5:15 PM. Check the cell signal in the elevators—something people always forget until they’re dropped from a call. Reach out to a tenant rep broker who specializes in the Golden Triangle; they often have "pocket" info on upcoming vacancies before they hit the public databases. Compare the load factor here against newer builds in the East End to see how much actual usable square footage you’re getting for your dollar. It’s the boring details that make or break a long-term lease in the District.