The United Negro College Fund Headquarters anchors the new Progression Place mixed-use development complex at the corner of 7^th and S Streets, NW in the historic Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC. UNCF’s move from its previous headquarters in Fairfax, VA was a strategic effort to get closer to the students UNCF serves as well as to the nation’s education policy. The new location is just south of the Howard University campus, one of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities whose students benefit from UNCF administered services.

UNCF occupies 35,000 sf on four and a half floors of the 7-story Progression Place office building component. UNCF features Class A office space and a ground level storefront College Knowledge Center (5,000 sf) for use by students, parents, and counselors for standardized test preparation, college application and financial aid assistance, internship and job placement assistance, etc.

The Joint Venture of James G. Davis Construction Corporation and Gilford (Davis/Gilford) served as General Contractors for the construction of Progression Place. Gilford additionally served as the sole General Contractor for the UNCF interior tenant fit-out, which was conducted concurrently with base building construction and commercial interior fit-out.

Gilford provided extensive Preconstruction and Design Assist services for over five years to assist the Progression Place Developer in formulating a construction program that was compliant with the project’s concept and plan. We additionally worked with UNCF and its Architect during Preconstruction to ensure compliance with UNCF’s budget and design intent.