Ever wonder why Connecticut Ave is the way it is, as in mostly straight, but with a few notable exceptions?  Join us for a discussion of why one of the city’s most well-known avenues is not like the rest, perhaps better for it, but all the same unique in every way, from its history to how we live on it today.

Phil Esocoff has practiced architecture, planning, and urban design in Washington, DC, for over 45 years. Phil’s most recent project is the Diplomatic Residence for the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China, at the southern end of the Taft Bridge.  Other local projects of note include 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and The Whitman Condominium at 910 M Street, NW.   He also designed several residential projects on Massachusetts Avenue, NW.  His restoration and adaptive reuse of the Historic Greyhound Terminal at 1100 NY Avenue, NW, received a twenty-five year award from the DC Preservation League. 

Matt Bell is Professor at the University of Maryland and Principal at Perkins Eastman Architects.  He teaches graduate urban design studios at Maryland, and his work in the DC region includes buildings and master plans for mixed-use, higher-ed and institutional projects, including the new Cleveland Park Library which opened in 2018 and the recently opened Reservoir District (formerly called the McMillan Site) on North Capitol Street.  Bell’s professional work has received awards from the AIA, the Congress for the New Urbanism, the USGBC, and the Urban Land Institute. He serves on DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board.