After a year-long search for a new home, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Washington Design Center (WDC). The showrooms, currently at 300 D Street SW, will relocate to Franklin Court at 1099 14th Street NW at 14th St and L in Spring 2014.

Exterior of the Fraklin Court building

According to the WDC’s temporary website, the showroom staff agrees “this gives us the best opportunity to stay together as a design community, which was the highest priority that everyone (our clients included) asked us to consider in this search.”

“Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman looks forward to our new showroom in the Washington Design Center’s new home for three basic reasons—location, location and location,” said Crans Baldwin, president of EF+LM. “Easy access, easy parking, plenty of space and light, good restaurants and hotels nearby, and an improvement over the previous design center in all respects. Lots of credit goes to Lisa Kravet for leading ‘a herd of cats’ to the best building of the many we considered.”

"Bare Bones" Tour of the interior of the Franklin Court location

The marketing department has encouraged the showrooms to continue with business as usual, introducing new product and creating beautiful interiors for clients as they prepare for the move.

“I have been reflecting on my first visit as a young designer in 1983 when the building opened,” said Wayne Breeden, showroom manager of Kravet’s WDC location. “The excitement of moving to our new location is similar to the excitement a designer feels about having a new project transform from concept to reality. As in the 30 years previous, the Design Center will continue to grow and offer the finest and most varied home furnishings under one roof in the Washington Metropolitan area.”

Showroom representatives toast to the new location

A sneak peek of the space is available on the WDC’s Facebook page and announcements will continue to be made about the move throughout the next few months.