Casa Luca Interior
Casa Luca, located only a couple blocks away from the White House, is situated on the ground level of an 11-story building on New York Avenue. Completed in 2008, the building, featuring, “a unique architectural profile made entirely of individual, shingle-like, overlapping glass panes” (Tishman Speyer), is a distinctive addition to the busy east-end submarket. Located in a prime location, the building incorporates various views of D.C.’s skyline, enabling good sightings of the Washington Monument, Old Post Office, and the U.S. Capitol building. Equipped with an efficient 4-level parking garage, rooftop deck, and fitness facility, the property has a lot to offer, attracting many tourists, politicians, and businessmen from around the D.C. area.
When arriving at my location, I was first surprised by the presence of the seemingly small Italian restaurant, picking up on the contrast between Casa Luca and the spacious gallery-like complex in the background. This dissimilarity caught my eye, as most areas of the complex are characterized by high ceilings and capacious waiting areas, differing from the small and cozy atmosphere I found within the restaurant. Venturing further into Casa Luca, I found a relaxed ambience, picking up on the red furnishings, white floors, and vintage Italian prints. Circular lighting details and an illuminated bar set the background in the smaller space, outlined with chic dining booths, adding an additional sense of intimacy to the atmosphere. While I found the inside of Casa Luca quite impressive, additional seating was incorporated just outside the restaurant, drawing the interior’s flare out into the open streets of D.C. This aspect of Casa Luca impressed me, as I found significance in the way the restuarant’s concept was carried outdoors, adding to the contrast between the small restaurant and the rest of the complex.
While the small Italian restaurant can seem overshadowed by the larger complex in which it is incorporated in, Casa Luca’s relaxed, Italian flare and indoor-outdoor concept work to compose a charming restaurant in the busy east-end submarket in D.C. Equipped with stunning views of D.C., the restaurant’s interior works to promote their idea of a cozy atmosphere, offering an environment suitable for tourists, politicians, and businessmen alike.
Works Cited
“1099 New York Avenue | Commercial Real Estate D.C. | Tishman Speyer.” 1099 New York Avenue | Commercial Real Estate D.C. | Tishman Speyer, www.tishmanspeyer.com/properties/1099-new-york-avenue-nw.