WASHINGTON, DC — Skanska, a global development and construction firm, recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest mixed-use development at 1700 M Street, Northwest. Skanska executives were joined by community members and local leaders at the site of the future 11-story, 334,000-square-foot trophy office building. Planned to deliver in 2024, the company previously announced law firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, as 17xM’s anchor tenant, occupying over 50 percent of the building’s office space.

“We celebrate 17xM as an example of unparalleled standards of tech, convenience, and flexibility,” said Mark Carroll, Executive Vice President and Regional Manager of Skanska USA Commercial Development’s D.C. market. “Skanska understands it is ever-important for today’s office buildings to have a future-forward, smart design. 17xM will provide Gibson Dunn and future tenants with a safe, sustainable, and dynamic workplace where their employees can thrive. We are honored that Gibson Dunn has entrusted Skanska to be a part of their journey, and we are appreciative of the support we have received from the community and its leadership.”

Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto along with representatives from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Advisory Neighborhood Committee 2B, Golden Triangle BID, Gibson Dunn, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), and Arup commemorated the official groundbreaking at Skanska’s ceremony.

“Projects like this one at 17th and M are fundamentally important to our recovery efforts and what we are trying to accomplish in our city. I am thankful for the hard work that has gone into the project and the innovative and sustainable lens that has been applied to this project. This is really what the future of the workforce and buildings is going to look like, and you all are such leaders in that effort,” Pinto said.

17xM is strategically located in the central business district, between Dupont Circle and the White House. It reflects Skanska's “inside out” concept, designed to augment personal wellness and enhance the tenant experience. Additionally, 17xM will include curated amenity spaces with integrated features, including conference and event facilities, a rooftop deck, and a private lower-level terrace. The design also incorporates a private vehicular layby drop off for tenants and guests. This supports the reduction of overall traffic in and around the downtown corridor.

The project, which seized one of the few remaining opportunities for ground-up construction in Northwest D.C., will target LEED Gold, Fitwel, and WiredScore certifications. Additionally, 17xM is the first SmartScore-certified office building in North America. Skanska has teamed with KPF architects along with consultants at Arup and Siemens to curate 17xM’s digitally connected environment and amenities package.

Skanska has invested substantially in the development of the Washington D.C. region to deliver sustainable new buildings that add value to their surrounding communities and are ideal places to live and work. Skanska’s current real estate developments in the Greater, D.C. area include: 2112 Penn, an 11-story, 230,000-square-foot office building with approximately 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail; and OZMA, a 13-story, mixed-use development at 44 M Street Northeast, in D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood.

Current sites under development include 3901 N Fairfax Drive, a nine-story, 201,000-square-foot office building with 184,036 square feet of office space and 10,280 square feet of ground-floor retail; and The Heming, a 28-story, 410-unit luxury apartment building in Tysons with 38,000 square feet of ground-floor restaurant and retail space targeting LEED Gold certification.