Office-to-residential conversion moves forward as part of the District’s effort to expand housing options downtown and revitalize the central business district.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 14, 2026 — The Tower Companies has announced the start of construction on The Albert, an adaptive reuse project that will transform 1133 19th Street, NW, the former long-term home to Verizon/MCI, into 209 apartment homes in the heart of downtown Washington, DC, just south of Dupont Circle. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, The Albert represents Tower’s continued commitment to sustainable development and the revitalization of downtown Washington, D.C.
“We’re excited Tower is adding even more residential units in the Golden Triangle,” said Leona Agouridis, President & CEO of the Golden Triangle BID. “This area south of Dupont Circle is emerging as an increasingly livable community, with this project neighboring two additional office-to-residential conversions under construction and the new Elle apartments. The Albert is centrally located in the middle of DC’s downtown, where new residents will have the best amenities, convenience, and connectedness this city offers.”
The project includes 188 market rate and 21 affordable apartment homes. It will also include approximately 4,600 square feet of ground-floor retail. The development is being financed by United Bank, designed by WDG, and constructed by Davis Construction, with completion anticipated in Spring 2028. The development will include a 13th floor rooftop penthouse with a resident lounge and outdoor terrace offering panoramic views of Georgetown, Rosslyn and the National Cathedral. Additional amenities will include a fitness center, sauna, coworking spaces, fire pits, grilling area, concierge service, bike room and underground parking.
“The Albert represents the mixed-use future of Downtown D.C. where residents live, work, and play in a vibrant environment,” said Patrick Leugers, Director of Development, Tower. “It is a quintessential Tower development, a forward-thinking real estate investment and commitment to the community that helps build a better tomorrow. We’re grateful to our partners at United Bank, WDG, and Davis Construction, as well as District leadership for helping make the project a reality.”
The Albert is supported by the District’s Housing in Downtown (HID) Program, which was created to encourage the conversion of underutilized commercial properties into residential housing through a 20-year property tax abatement. The program is part of the District’s broader effort to increase the number of residents living downtown and support the revitalization of the city’s central business district.
“Tower is grateful to the Bowser administration and District leadership for the vision behind the HID program and for recognizing the important role that residential conversions can play in the future of downtown Washington,” said Ronald Abramson, Partner, Tower. “Programs like this help create the conditions for sustainable, innovative projects like The Albert to take shape, and we look forward to continuing to work with the incoming administration and District leaders as Washington builds its next chapter.”
Naming The Albert
The project carries the name of Albert Abramson, who founded Tower in 1947 with a $500 investment from his wife, Ruth, following his service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Over his career, Albert developed thousands of apartment homes, office buildings, including 1133, and shopping centers throughout the Washington region, helping shape communities across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Albert’s connection to Washington extended beyond real estate. He served on the Council of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, appointed by President Reagan and reappointed by Presidents Bush and Clinton, and chaired the Museum’s Building and Development Committees. In 1998, President Clinton awarded Albert the Presidential Citizens Medal for his work helping bring the museum from blueprint to reality. He was posthumously honored with the Urban Land Institute Washington Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for his contributions to real estate, responsible development and philanthropy in the Washington region.
Today, Albert’s legacy continues through his family and Tower. His three sons, Gary, Ronald and Jeffrey, granddaughter, Nora, and grandson-in-law, Eric Posner, are the company’s owners and leaders, carrying forward the family’s longstanding commitment to the Washington region. Nearly 80 years after Albert founded the company, Tower remains family-owned and focused on long-term investment, sustainability and community building.
“We are honored to bring new housing to downtown DC while carrying forward my grandfather’s development and philanthropic legacy in Washington. He embraced change and was always driven to grow, both personally and as a business leader. This project reflects that same spirit of evolution and commitment to the city he cared so deeply about,” said Nora Abramson, Chief Strategy Officer, Tower.
Construction is now underway, with completion anticipated in Spring 2028.
About The Tower Companies
Founded in 1947 by Albert Abramson, Tower is a family-owned real estate company focused on long-term investment, development and management in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. For nearly 80 years, Tower has developed and managed residential, commercial and mixed-use properties throughout the region, with a longstanding commitment to sustainability, innovation, community, and exceptional experiences. Today, the company continues to build on Albert’s legacy while investing in the future of the communities it serves.