Masonry Magazine September 1971 Page. 11
For its masonry showcase in the heart of the Nation's Capital, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers chose granite and glass for the facade while marble and terrazzo provide elegance in the main lobby.
IBEW'S Dream Building
Washington, D.C.
Architects: Mills, Petticord & Mills, and the late William N. Denton, Jr., AIA
Project Architect: Cole McFarland, AIA
Structural Engineer: Beall and LeMay
Mason & General Contractor: Geo. Hyman Constr. Co.
Photography: J. Alexander
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is about to move into its new headquarters a multi-million dollar masonry showcase in the heart of the nation's capital.
The International Union chose masonry over precast concrete, glass, and metal panels because it filled their requirements for "a substantial building with quality appearance and long-range maintenance economy," according to Joseph D. Keenan, International Secretary of IBEW. Headed by its President, Charles H. Pillard, IBEW represents 950,000 electricians in the United States and Canada.
The union will occupy five floors of the 15-story (three underground), 360,564 sq. ft. building. The remaining office space will be leased. In all, the masonry building will provide space for 1,900 workers, a stable of computers, and parking for 200 cars.
To get this, the architect and mason contractor brought together 40 BM&PIU bricklayers; a small army of electricians and other building tradesmen; 380,000 conventional brick and 100,000 specially shaped ones; 90,500 block; 5,000 cu. ft. of granite; more than 33,000 sq. ft. of marble, ceramic tile, and terrazzo; 16,000 cu. yds, of concrete; hundreds of miles of conduit and wiring; along with tons of plaster, mortar, grout, and "sweat."
BM&PIU Local #1 workers and the mason contractor for the Washington Post's new brick addition had this across-the-street view of the IBEW building. Seen, left to right, are: Lawrence E. Paris and Paul Curro, masonry superintendent, The George Hyman Construction Co., Washington, D.C.