The Lex and Leo at Waterfront Station

As the tallest residential structures in Southwest, the design strategy for the Lex and Leo focused on maximizing the breathtaking 360-degree views of the city with a minimalist design for a contemporary roof deck. The refurbished development offers residents upscale amenities such as an outdoor lounge, a gas fireplace, dining patios, grilling areas, and two swimming pools with elevated observation decks — all strategically located to take advantage of the panoramic views of downtown DC and the Potomac River waterfront.

Designed to meet LEED Silver standards, the roof deck also features a green roof system designed to capture rainwater and offer building insulation. To further manage stormwater and reduce irrigation needs, the planting strategy consisted of regional, drought tolerant plant materials, providing residents with a serene and tranquil escape from a busy urban environment.

As an adaptive reuse project, design interventions were limited to the form and structure of the existing buildings, presenting challenges of usable space and load-bearing capacity. For example, the ground floor courtyard at The Lex was built on top of an existing underground garage slab that had a limited load-bearing capacity, requiring careful plant material selection and an understanding of the plant’s anticipated weight at full maturity. The rooftops presented similar challenges as the load-bearing capacity of the rooftop slab limited the proposed amenities.