Riggs Washington DC
Banking on Grandeur
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A magnificent 1891 bank headquarters transformed into one of Washington’s most characterful luxury hotels, where original architectural grandeur remains the star.
● Creative interiors by Jacu Strauss that cleverly weave the building’s financial history into every aspect of the guest experience.
● Home to Café Riggs and the acclaimed Silver Lyan, one of America’s most inventive cocktail bars, hidden inside the original bank vaults.
From Banking Hall to Boutique Landmark
Before it welcomed travelers, Riggs Washington DC safeguarded fortunes. Occupying the former Riggs National Bank headquarters in Penn Quarter, this Beaux-Arts landmark has been thoughtfully transformed by Lore Group into a hotel that celebrates its extraordinary past rather than disguising it. The monumental barrel-vaulted lobby, soaring Corinthian columns, elaborate plaster ceilings, and imposing stone architecture remain gloriously intact, creating one of the most memorable arrival experiences in the American capital. It’s history you don’t simply observe—you inhabit it.
A Design Story Worth Investing In
Creative director Jacu Strauss embraced the building’s banking heritage with imagination and wit. Original architectural features have been meticulously restored while contemporary furnishings, marble-patterned headboards, bespoke lighting, and sophisticated materials introduce warmth without diminishing the building’s monumental scale. Throughout the hotel, subtle references to banking appear in unexpected ways, proving that storytelling can be both playful and elegant. Every detail feels intentional.
Rooms with Character
The 181 guestrooms and suites continue the narrative. Minibars and safes are cleverly concealed behind doors inspired by traditional steel bank vaults, while rich materials, calming colour palettes, bespoke furnishings, and luxurious finishes create rooms that feel residential rather than formal. Several suites pay tribute to former First Ladies, incorporating carefully curated collections, artwork, and historical references that connect the hotel to Washington’s political heritage. It’s history told through hospitality.
A Social Destination in Its Own Right
At street level, Café Riggs brings European brasserie culture to downtown Washington. Bathed in natural light beneath the restored vaulted ceilings, the restaurant combines custom furniture, large mirrors, contemporary artwork, and classic architectural details to create an atmosphere that feels both grand and welcoming. Seasonal American cuisine with European influences makes it a destination for locals as much as hotel guests. Below ground, the original bank vaults have found an entirely new purpose. Silver Lyan—the first American outpost from award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana—transforms these historic spaces into one of the city’s most imaginative cocktail bars, where inventive drinks, playful storytelling, and theatrical presentation create an experience unlike anywhere else in Washington.
Penn Quarter at Your Doorstep
Situated in the heart of Penn Quarter, Riggs places guests within walking distance of the National Mall, museums, theatres, galleries, and many of Washington’s finest restaurants. Yet despite its central location, stepping inside the hotel feels like entering another era—one where craftsmanship, architecture, and hospitality carry equal weight.
Why It Works
Riggs Washington DC demonstrates how adaptive reuse can create something genuinely memorable. By preserving the grandeur of one of the capital’s great historic banks while layering it with contemporary design, exceptional dining, and playful storytelling, the hotel becomes far more than a luxury place to stay. It is one of Washington’s most complete hospitality experiences—where architecture, history, and modern creativity come together with remarkable confidence.
