June 25, 2008 – Forrester Construction has begun construction on the new Founding Farmers restaurant project, which will open at 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in the newest IMF building in Washington, DC. A concept developed by a collective of more than 40,000 American family farmers, Founding Farmers is more than 8,000 SF and is based around sustainable design, green operations, and food that is seasonally sourced from regional and local farms. Slated to open in September ‘08, the soaring space will seat more than 250, with a variety of seating options from community tables to circular booths and bar and café seats, and a patio slated for spring 2009.

Founding Farmers Restaurant

The menu will include a wide variety of home-cooked inspired dishes with influences from farm cooking and global agricultural influences. Founding Farmers has been designed to be the first LEED Certified restaurant in the Washington, DC area and will also function as a green restaurant as sanctioned by the Green Restaurant Association. Distinguishing design and construction features include the use of reclaimed wood for the flooring and for millwork, custom metal and mesh guardrails along the mezzanine level made with recycled steel, a two-story wood portal made of reclaimed barn wood, an expansive concrete topped bar with a faux-finished wood face, a pastry bar on the mezzanine level, stone flooring, an elevator with custom paneling, and glass and steel shelving units behind the bar to showcase preserved fruits, vegetables, and other farm-sourced ingredients.

Vucurevich Simons Advisory Group (www.VSAG.com), with offices in both Maryland and Texas, developed the concept and will operate and manage Founding Farmers and CORE Architecture + Design of Washington, DC created the design. Initial construction began in April 2008 and is scheduled to finish August 2008.