AFG Wins CMAA NCC Project Achievement Award for Mellon Auditorium

This $3.49 million project marks the first comprehensive restoration of the Great Hall in 89 years, successfully returning the iconic venue to its original grandeur.

Located in downtown Washington, DC, the 22,300-square-foot Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, constructed in 1935, is renowned for its Neoclassical design and its popularity as a premier location for weddings, special events, and film productions. Given the years of neglected maintenance, the restoration aimed to ensure the building’s endurance for another 80 years.

Over a 15-month period, AFG led a team of specialists as the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Construction Manager (CM). The team oversaw complex restoration tasks including the construction and deconstruction of a 60-foot-tall scaffolding system, the application of 23.5K gold leaf, cleaning and replacement of delicate Sphinxstone wall cladding, honing and dutchmen repair of historic Tennessee Pink marble, and replacement of white oak floors in a unique herringbone pattern.

AFG’s senior historic preservation expert provided monthly mentorship to foster collaboration and ensure exceptional results. Adhering to the CMAA Standards of Practice, AFG delivered comprehensive CM oversight, meeting the high standards of the GSA Historical Preservation team and completing the project on time and on-budget.