- Interior
Few addresses in the United States carry as much historical significance as the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. Worldwide, the name symbolises the political scandal that brought down Richard Nixon's presidency. But behind that fraught reputation lies an architectural masterpiece that has long been underappreciated. Designed in the 1960s by Italian architect Luigi Moretti, the complex is one of the most distinctly modernist residential buildings in the American capital. With its undulating facades, spacious terraces and sculptural forms, Watergate is a radical departure from Washington's traditional monumental architecture.
This architectural significance is now being highlighted once again by Nicholas Potts Studio's Watergate Pied-à-Terre project. High up in one of the characteristic crescent-shaped towers is a 280-square-metre flat that was created by combining two separate homes. In collaboration with stylist Tessa Watson and contractor BOWA, architect Nicholas Potts gave the interior a new identity: luxurious, contemporary and yet deeply rooted in the modernist spirit of the original building. 
Potts approached the project as a form of archaeology. Over the decades, many Watergate apartments had been marred by fashion-sensitive renovations, such as neo-colonial mouldings, standard finishes and poorly thought-out layouts. By peeling away these layers, the team was able to return to the essence of Moretti's design: flowing lines, spaciousness and a certain futuristic elegance. The new floor plan is designed around long sightlines and open spaces that encourage movement and interaction, making the apartment feel both grand and inviting.
Vintage pieces and contemporary design come together in a space that feels both grand and inviting
The choice of materials reinforces that sense of refined glamour. Walls are clad in rare crotch-cut Okoumé wood, whose rich grain lends warmth and depth to the interior. Travertine floors in a basketweave pattern provide rhythm and texture, while an illuminated onyx wall casts an almost theatrical glow. The details are also exceptional: specially designed doors and fittings by P.E. Guerin, accents of Verde Antigua marble, patinated metals and even gold leaf refer to a luxurious, late-modernist aesthetic.
The interior design is the final piece in this carefully constructed narrative. Potts and Watson selected furniture and objects from international design galleries such as The Future Perfect, Gallery Morentz and Studio TwentySeven, combined with vintage pieces such as the Sciolari lamps from the 1970s. The result is an interior that connects different eras and gives the Watergate a new, vibrant future – without denying its rich past.
Design by Nicholas Potts Studio
Styling by Tessa Watson
Photography by Chris Mottalini
Text by Elke Aerts