Alban Towers, Historic apartment building on Massachusetts Avenue, Washington D.C.
Alban Towers is a six-story residential complex on Massachusetts Avenue featuring tan brick and limestone walls with ornamental detailing. The facade displays Gothic Revival elements including carved owls, gargoyles, and decorative tracery.
It was built in 1928 as Washington's largest apartment building at the time, marking a shift toward larger residential complexes in the city. Two additional wings were added in 1930 to keep up with housing demand.
The lobby displays British symbols and zodiac motifs that reflect the architectural tastes of early 20th-century Washington. These design choices show the influences that shaped residential buildings of that era.
The complex houses 229 rental units with modern facilities including a fitness center and swimming pool for residents. A rooftop garden and conference spaces are also available on the grounds.
During World War II, Japanese naval officers stationed in Washington occupied apartments here and used the building as a vantage point for observing city activities. Few visitors know about this wartime chapter of the building's past.
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