BZA approves rooftop deck expansion at 1750 H St NW after OP and Secret Service support

The Board of Zoning Adjustment on Jan. 28 approved a modification with hearing to expand the publicly accessible rooftop deck at 1750 H Street NW and make minor penthouse interior adjustments.

Jessica Bloomfield of Holland & Knight represented the applicant and described the requested changes as limited: an expansion of exterior rooftop deck area that was not part of the previously approved 2024 plans, and a modest interior reconfiguration (replacing one bathroom with a stair to the floor below). Bloomfield said the Department of Buildings directed the applicant to pursue BZA relief for rooftop space in the White House area and that ANC 2A, the Office of Planning and the U.S. Secret Service had supported the earlier approval and the present modification. "The modifications that are being proposed now do not include any expansions or additions to the existing penthouse structure and are otherwise fully matter of right," Bloomfield said.

Maxine Brown Roberts of the Office of Planning testified that the proposed modification continues to meet Subtitle C §1501.1(e) and OP recommended approval. The board gave great weight to OP’s recommendation, noted the Secret Service had no security concerns, and approved the modification by roll call (recorded as 3–0–2). The board’s review was limited to the modification’s impacts and did not reopen the merits of the original approval.

Next steps: the board’s order will reflect the approval. The applicant may proceed with building‑permit and construction permitting steps under the approved modification.