Story

CBG completed Reverb, an 11-story community with 312 apartments–including 26 affordable units–in May 2023. Despite challenges, the project team delivered a unique addition to DC’s U Street Corridor, uniting the area’s storied urban fabric with modern design. The project encompassed a broad scope of work, featuring a soundwave-style window and balcony pattern comprised of two-story alternating diagonal bays. Inspired by the adjoining 9:30 Club–a time-honored music venue and cultural landmark–the design adds complexity to the building’s concrete and window construction. Reverb consists of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units with modern finishes, a clubroom, fitness center, rooftop terrace and pool, pet spa, coworking lounge, and two levels of below-grade parking. Achieving LEED® Gold, Reverb includes sustainable design features such as EnergyStar® appliances and extensive green roofing, which manages stormwater, provides increased insulation, and reduces the heat island effect. The pedestrian-friendly property is also within walking distance of the Howard University Metro station and dining and entertainment options. Construction of Reverb came with challenges stemming from the site’s proximity to the 9:30 Club. CBG performed a planned partial demolition of the 9:30 Club to facilitate access to the narrow job site. The team fast-tracked construction of the south facade to return the area to the concert venue so they could build The Atlantis, an additional music hall connecting to Reverb. CBG revised its BIM model, submittals, and procurement to ensure the 9:30 Club remained open throughout construction without impacting the original schedule. Due to sound and vibration transmission concerns from the 9:30 Club and The Atlantis, the design team worked with an acoustic consultant to develop mitigation strategies. The team created a high sound transmission coefficient (STC) rating on the building by upgrading the exterior wall assembly to include larger light gauge metal framing studs, a genie clip acoustic system, and additional layers of drywall. The windows were also modified to include an interior jockey sash system, improving their STC rating. The team also confronted unforeseen challenges related to a dry utility duct bank. Design documents noted that the street lights along 9th Street were to tie into an existing electrical duct bank. However, the dry utility duct bank’s poor condition and location prevented excavation to cut down the support of excavation piles. As a result, CBG was forced to hydro-excavate the existing duct bank, encase the exposed conductors with PVC conduit, and concrete encase the entire existing duct bank. This allowed CBG to undermine and excavate the duct bank to access the top of piles. Effective communication and teamwork were pivotal in overcoming all challenges, minimizing change orders, and maximizing savings throughout the project. By proactively identifying and addressing issues, the team seamlessly constructed an exciting community that helps residents feel at home in an epicenter of history and culture.