A Natural Connection
Commercial V&D Installer Makes “Big Splash” at Georgetown’s Water Street Luxury Condo Complex
In the last few years, technology has transformed the way that people live and work
. Homeowners expect the same fast Internet access, easy integration and streamlined performance they experience at work. In addition, they want advanced video connections to support multiple provider systems, home theatres and security solutions.
As Mark Stahl, IT project manager at electrical contractor JE Richards, says, “Everybody wants to be connected. We’re seeing more demand for Cat 6, whole house audio, home theatre, lighting controls, security systems and home automation.”
At 3303 Water Street, a luxury, river-view condominium building on the banks of the Potomac in Washington, DC, homeowners have all that and more. Located in the heart of Georgetown, one of DC’s most popular urban neighborhoods, this all-residential building features 69 condominium units ranging in size from 900 to over 5000 square feet. The new building, designed with a unique glass and brick façade to reflect loft style industrial buildings reminiscent of an earlier area, fits right into the historical neighborhood.
But the impression of something that fits in with the old stops there. Inside, the building is equipped with leading edge technology by Leviton. Developer EastBanc, general contractor Bovis Lend Lease, Handel Architects and JE Richards were all instrumental in making it happen.
EastBanc is known for upscale, mixed-use developments. From the new 1.2 million square foot Ritz Carlton Hotel to Cady’s Alley, Georgetown’s upscale design district, they’ve been instrumental in creating contemporary spaces that fit within Washington DC’s historically styled urban context.
Bovis Lend Lease offers nearly a century of experience in the construction industry. In the past decade alone, the firm has provided construction service on over 2,500 projects for 1,100 clients nationwide. Bovis Lend Lease provides a full range of construction services including construction management, general contracting, program and project management, design/build and consulting services. Nationally, Bovis Lend Lease is ranked the #1 Multi-Unit Residential Contractor per ENR Sourcebook, Top 400 Contractors, September 2004.
Award-winning Handel Architects, formerly Gary Edward Handel & Associates, is renowned for its redevelopment of the Lincoln Center area in New York, as well as for its Ritz-Carlton Hotels in New York, Washington, DC and Boston, and its Four Seasons Hotels in San Francisco and Miami. The firm has created successful mixed-use residential developments in communities throughout the United States.
When it came time to install a leading edge voice and data network, JE Richards, a Leviton Certified Cabling Systems Contractor was the top choice. JE Richards was quite new to the residential arena, but had an extensive and impressive record in commercial installations. Along with a history of providing complete electrical construction services for top companies throughout Washington DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia, they had an excellent track record and continued it with Bovis Lend Lease. “It was just a natural connection”, said Stahl. So this commercial expert entered the residential arena and brought Leviton along to provide the advanced voice, data and video technology necessary for 3303 Water Street’s technology conscious residents.
The team began by developing a core technology package. With up to 8 phone lines, 8 television locations and support for up to 11 active data connections, the system was far from basic. Internet, telephone, and television services entered through the basement. Primary communications closets were located on every floor. From there, every unit got a minimum of two Category 5e lines and one coax line. One Leviton 42” Structured Media Center was enough to support installations in most homes, while the larger, more complex systems required two Structured Media Centers. QuickPort ® wallplates and connectors provided sleek mix and match flexibility for voice, data, audio and video connections at each outlet.
As each owner made their purchase, Stahl went over the package with them to 
determine what to add and what to customize. Many new homeowners were thrilled with the package, but about half opted for changes. Several homeowners wanted 3 different television providers. Others wanted to incorporate their own telephone systems or routers. One buyer upgraded to Category 6 wiring with over 100 outlets. Leviton’s commercial eXtreme ® 6+ patch panels and jacks were used for that home. The bonus for everyone involved was the flexibility and variety of the Leviton product line, plus the expertise of a contractor who knew how to work with it all.
After more than a decade installing commercial jobs this was quite a change for Stahl. He and his crew have installed voice, data, video and security in foreign embassies, luxury hotels, elite schools, and pharmaceutical cleanrooms, but faced new challenges in their early residential forays. As Stahl explains, “Residential customers are pretty savvy but they don’t have an IT manager or network designer on hand to make changes or get them over the rough spots. And the space was tight, so it had to be right the first time.”
Now JE Richards and Bovis Lend Lease are working on new projects together and the future looks bright for increased residential technology. As Stahl puts it, “We’ve got a standard. We know what works. Home theatre, home automation, whatever residents are looking for, with Leviton it’s easy to do it all.”
Amanda Sokolow is Marketing Manager for Lighting Controls, Leviton Integrated Networks and Controls. Leviton is North Amercia’s premier manufacturer of electrical and electronic wiring devices. This year, it celebrates its Centennial Anniversary.
