(Washington, DC) - The Department of Real Estate Services (“DRES”) announced today that the historic Eastern Market received an award for engineering excellence.

A devastating fire destroyed the historic Eastern Market on Capitol Hill in the spring of 2007. City leaders, led by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, pledged immediate support to renovate and restore the market for merchants and the local community.

The restoration process was a detailed and challenging effort to re-purpose and salvage various components of the critically-damaged building. Among many innovative improvements, the historic roof was restored and state-of-the-art equipment was installed. The plan also included modern energy efficiency technologies and new fire suppression equipment. Further, the design allowed for the previously hidden historic skylight to be re-introduced as a prominent architectural feature of the new Eastern Market South Hall.

The renovation of Eastern Market was overseen by the Department of Real Estate Services and coordinated with Robert Silman Associates and Quinn Evans Architects.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington (ACEC/MW) awarded Eastern Market an “Honor Award” in the Design category of the 2009-2010 ACEC/MW Engineering Excellence Award.

Eastern Market is Washington DC’s oldest, continually operating fresh food public market. Located in the heart of the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, Eastern Market is DC’s destination for fresh food, hand-made arts and crafts, and community events. For over 136 years, Eastern Market has served as a community hub, connecting neighbors, families and visitors.

Please visit the Department of Real Estate Services website and the Eastern Market website for more information.