St. Elizabeths Hospital, M Building, 654-674 Redwood Street, Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

For an overview of the Lettered Buildings, see HABS DC-349-BY
Significance: The M Building (Building 72) is significant for its association with the treatment of mental illness on the St. Elizabeths Campus. As one of the new patient residential and treatment buildings constructed on the campus in the twentieth century, the M Building formed an integral part of the function and use of the campus for the treatment of mental illness and related disabilities. The building, along with the other fifteen buildings constructed at that time, was designed with a cottage plan. The plan was developed to promote a home-like atmosphere with patients and live-in staff, which would then translate into a supportive and nurturing environment.

The M Building is also significant for its architectural design. Designed by the noted architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, the M Building together with the other buildings of the lettered group is a notable example of the firm's designs for institutional campuses. Constructed in the early 1900s, the M Building is a part of the campus plan as it developed during the Richardson-era expansion. The Lettered buildings group is united by the campus layout as well as the common use of the Renaissance Revival style, demonstrating the influence of the Palladian villas. The buildings feature brick masonry, large window openings with divided lights, and overhanging roofs covered with clay tile. The Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge buildings were also unique in that they incorporated piazzas into the structure rather than constructing attached wood-framed porches. The expansive piazzas were partially enclosed, and the area of the piazzas exceeded that of the large interior sitting rooms to which they were attached. While many of the buildings have similar plans and architectural characteristics, each was customized to match the unique needs of the user group for which it was designed.
Survey number: HABS DC-349-G
Building/structure dates: 1903 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 79003101