The Homer Building blends D.C.'s rich history with the energy of today’s business world. Built in the early 1900s, it still shows off its original Beaux-Arts design—think stonework, grand arches, and timeless elegance. It's a landmark in the Metro Center district, one of the city's busiest hubs for transit, business, and culture. Surrounded by high-end shops, top restaurants, and major office buildings, the Homer Building stands out by staying true to its roots. Today, it's home to modern companies, proving that a building can keep its history and still be right at the center of what’s next.
As demands for workspaces have evolved, so too has the need for buildings like the Homer to adapt while maintaining their iconic presence. This was the backdrop for the latest endeavor—a remodel of the building’s grand atrium. The goal? To breathe new life into this central space by turning it into a vibrant, functional lounge and conference area.
The remodel wasn’t just a facelift—it was a reimagining. The newly designed space now boasts a double-height glass conference room that can be configured to meet a variety of professional needs. This adaptable area opens seamlessly into the atrium, creating an inviting flow that merges modern design with the building's historic character.
The remodel includes a speakeasy-style lounge and a small, private conference room on the north side—perfect for laid-back meetings or casual networking. You’ll find a modern broadcast studio and a fully loaded boardroom on the south side. It’s not just a good-looking space—it’s built to handle the fast pace of today’s business world.
The vision was clear: create a cohesive, luxurious space that invites collaboration while respecting the architectural integrity of the Homer Building. Achieving that vision, however, required precision, patience, and a lot of scaffolding.
Executing a renovation of this scale in an active, publicly accessible building presented unique challenges. Tenants continued their daily operations while Cochran & Mann and the construction teams worked around them.
Extensive scaffolding to reach the atrium’s towering ceilings
Labor-intensive swing stage relocation after each section was complete
Maintaining strict safety protocols at great heights
Coordinating around other active trades working in parallel
Managing noise and protecting building occupants
General Contractor: James Davis Construction
Scope of Work: Prep, prime, and paint drywall partitions, ceilings, and trims in the atrium.
Products Used: Sherwin-Williams Duration was applied throughout for its durability and finish quality.
Maintaining open communication with James Davis Construction was critical. Regular planning sessions and updates ensured everyone stayed aligned, and that tenant disruptions were kept to a minimum.
“Our team was amazing on this job, both with safety and quality. We practiced safe work habits and made sure the customer was taken care of while not sacrificing safety in the process. Very neat and clean and took pride in the work.
The Davis team was very understanding with the way the process went. Being a complex job with calculated phasing due to working off a swing stage, they were supportive with our approach to all aspects of the project. I would 100% work with that team again!”
— Keith McDonald, Vice President, Cochran & Mann
In a building of such prestige, attention to detail wasn’t optional—it was essential. Every brushstroke had to complement the historical aesthetic while elevating the modern vision.
Craftsmanship Highlights:
Seamless transitions between historic architectural details and modern finishes
Clean, precise lines around high-end glass and millwork installations
Immaculate prep and execution in high-visibility, high-traffic areas
Cochran & Mann’s team brought a deep understanding of both aesthetic and structural integrity. The result is a space that feels cohesive, functional, and timeless.
This remodel wasn’t just about construction—it was about partnership—collaboration defined every step of the process from architects to engineers to on-site managers.
Every trade on-site had to be in sync, especially while sharing scaffolding, swing stages, and narrow timelines. This spirit of teamwork helped ensure quality stayed high, even with the logistical complexity.
Today, the remodeled atrium at the Homer Building is a hub of innovation and sophistication. It’s more than a gathering space—it’s an experience. Tenants and visitors alike benefit from a high-functioning, aesthetically striking environment that bridges the gap between tradition and transformation.
The finished project delivers on every level:
Functionality: Flexible layouts and top-tier professional amenities
Luxury: Premium finishes with design-forward features
Legacy: A respectful enhancement of the building’s historic identity
At Cochran & Mann, we specialize in bringing complex visions to life, particularly in high-profile, high-traffic spaces. Our team has deep experience managing commercial painting and wallcovering projects where precision, quality, and communication are key.
We’re proud to have contributed to this transformation at the Homer Building, and we look forward to helping other historic and modern spaces evolve with elegance and integrity.
About Cochran & Mann
Cochran & Mann is a family-owned business specializing in paint and wall coverings for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. Though we've grown significantly since 1990, we remain a family-owned-and-operated business guided by transparency, reliability, responsiveness, craftsmanship, and loyalty principles.