Towering for 75 Years!
Tower’s history has been defined by a pioneering approach, a passion for green development and human-centered design, and a commitment to improving our communities.
$500 + an Innovative Vision
Albert “Sonny” Abramson, fresh from an honorable discharge from military service at the end of WW2, used a $500 investment to found Tower Construction Company. He began with building houses, then added small apartment buildings and garden apartments. This humble beginning launched a company that would create thousands of apartments, office buildings, and shopping centers.
Taking a Giant Step
One “giant” step during the early years: Tower initiated a key partnership with Giant Food and Giant Construction Company to build Giant-anchored strip centers throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia.
“The Blairs” are Born
Albert Abramson purchased 27 acres in Silver Spring, MD, from descendants of Montgomery Blair and named his new development, “Blair Towers.” This begins a 19-year development process culminating in the vibrant community known as The Blairs.
Regenerative Growth
On September 7, 1958, Gary Abramson, with the Silver Spring Fire Department, started a controlled burn and set fire to the aging Blair’s Falkland mansion to begin regenerating the Blair property for the live-work-play community: The Blairs.
Developing a Premier Fashion Mall
Albert Abramson and Ted Lerner developed the 43-acre site of the original White Flint Country Club and began a 50-year partnership as they developed “White Flint,” a premier boutique fashion mall in what becomes present-day North Bethesda. Anchored by Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor, the mall featured “The Eatery,” a new concept in food service, and built theme courts to resemble the streets of Georgetown and Tuscany.
Office Park in a Forest
250 acres were purchased along the 270 Corridor in Rockville, MD, to create Tower Oaks, “a modern office park in a forest.”
Next-Gen Leader Takes Helm
Gary Abramson became the next-generation leader of The Tower Companies, creating a significant contribution to the continued success of the company. He managed daily operations, leasing of the commercial and retail properties, business development, among many projects. In 1997, he spearheaded the redevelopment of 1909 K Street.
“Theater on the Street”
Tower and Lerner opened Washington Square, the largest privately owned development in DC. Albert Abramson worked with mid-century architect Chloethiel Woodard Smith, a pioneering woman of urban American architecture, to design 12-story atriums in the building along Connecticut Avenue, to create a “theater on the street.”
A Stop on the Road to Peace
Historical note: Washington Square received an impromptu visit by Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev on his way to a meeting with President Reagan at which the two would end the Cold War.
Developing Sustainable Standards
Together with Sigal Construction, Tower developed a new set of “green” building standards, inspired by Jeffrey Abramson, with the goal of popularizing this method of commercial construction. This redevelopment journey began by adding four floors to The Millennium Building (completed 1999) with zero increase of the building’s energy usage.
A Presidential Award
President Clinton awarded founder Albert Abramson the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the U.S., “For his work to bring the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum from blueprint to reality…to help create a lasting monument to the triumph of the human spirit that is both a poignant reminder and a compelling, cautionary lesson.”
Family Leadership Evolves
Jeffrey Abramson, together with his brothers, began a long and transformational tenure as Tower’s leader, and led Tower’s efforts as a sustainable developer.
Green Building of the Year
Tower became first developer to receive AOBA’s Green Office Building of the Year for The Tower Building.
More “LEEDership”
Tower honored as first developer in the U.S. to earn LEED NC certification in multifamily construction for Blair Towns.
Tower Goes Platinum
Tower’s vision for sustainable commercial office buildings is deepened by incorporating ancient Indian Vastu architecture to promote harmony and corporate success. This led to the first LEED Platinum multi-tenant office building in Washington DC metro area, 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard.
A Renewed Focus Downtown
Ronald Abramson assumes leadership of Tower’s downtown DC portfolio.
First Multi-Tenant LEED EBOM
Tower certified the first LEED EBOM multi-tenant office building in DC – The Millennium Building.
The Winds of Change
The Tower Companies purchased certified renewable energy credits to offset 100% of its carbon footprint. Tower quickly became the country’s 8th largest buyer of wind energy.
Blair Towns Receives Platinum LEED
The Blair Towns development became the first LEED-EBOM Platinum certified multifamily building in the world.
Intentional Climate Action
- Tower became the first commercial real estate developer to partner with the Climate Registry, and the first developer to install EV-charging stations in Montgomery County, MD.
Focus on Health and Wellness
- The TREE program is part of Tower’s corporate vision to support the same quality of life for our employees as we strive to provide for our clients, by making available educational, physical and emotional resources for individuals to achieve optimal health.
- Tower has set the example for sustainable, green, healthy worksites and residences, and in 2015, Tower was recognized for its efforts with the Healthiest Company Award from SmartCEO.
- In 2022, Tower’s provides a reimbursement program which incentivizes employees to lead a healthy lifestyle and allows each employee to customize their own wellness journey and encourage healthy, active lifestyles.
In Service of Others
Tower partnered with Green Apple Day of Service to beautify Montgomery County elementary schools by planting local flowers and shrubs, building new outdoor education facilities, and creating sustainable environments for the students.
Saving the Planet
- Tower became the first two-time winner of the DC Mayor’s “Environmental Excellence Award.”
- Launched long-standing partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by joining the “Better Buildings Challenge” and subsequently met 20% energy and water efficiency targets in 2017-18.
Supporting Community
The Tower TREE team participates annually in the Susan G. Komen “More Than Pink Race,” raising more than $160,000 to fight breast cancer in the DC metro area.
Feeding the homeless, employees volunteer to serve meals at Shepherd’s Table.
First Commercial Office Solar
Tower installed the first solar PV array on a large commercial Class A office in DC – The Millennium Building.
Tower Receives a TOBY
1909 K Street wins a Regional TOBY Award in the Earth Building category.
Tower Garners Awards
- Tower became first company in the world to recertify a commercial office building as LEED Gold under LEEDv4 – 1828 L Street
- Tower garnered Firm of the Year accolades from NAIOP’s DC chapter for its excellence, leadership, and service to the local economy and community.
- In collaboration with tenant NIKA, Tower received the Team Transaction Award for partnering on individual lease transaction to incorporate sustainability and energy management elements into leased space operations.
Championing Healthy Buildings
Tower became an early Fitwel champion, using its strategies to build and operate healthy buildings.
“The Pearl” Receives Recognition
Tower’s residential apartment building, The Pearl, recognized by NAIOP for Best New Multifamily Development.
Benefitting Chesapeake Bay
Tower initiated partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation beginning with planting 10 billion oysters in Chesapeake Bay to improve its ecological health.
Leadership for the Future
Joining Gary, Ronald and Jeffrey Abramson, Eric Posner became Tower’s Chief Operating Officer and Nora Abramson assumed the role of Chief Strategy Officer.
Artful Living
Artful living is a hallmark of Tower developments and the company sponsored the Blairs Murals Festival. Eight artists put their incredible talents on display by creating unique art on the faces of buildings throughout The Blairs. Check it out!
Putting Safety First
- Safety first: Spearheaded by Ronald Abramson, Tower became first real-estate owner in the country to utilize Healthe pathogen-reducing and Poppy pathogen-testing technologies to improve air quality and human health.
- Tower responds: One month after its public release, Tower certified 3MSF using the Fitwel Viral Response Module as a critical part of its COVID response, earning “with distinction” certification. This required <90% achievement of available points for operational best practices to promote healthy indoor environments and human health.
Tower Flips the Switch
Tower installed a 572-kW carport solar project at 1101 Wootton Parkway. The company’s fifth onsite solar array is expected to generate approximately 20% of the building’s annual energy demand. In total, 4,000 solar panels generate nearly 2 million kWh of on-site solar energy across Tower’s portfolio, and 5% of Tower’s total annual electricity demand will be satisfied by harvesting the sun.