The National Association of Broadcasters has broken ground on a swanky new Washington headquarters.
Which is all great except for the fact that NAB perpetually claims to be composed of poor, cash-strapped radio stations that can’t possibly afford to pay music royalties that they’re not currently paying. The new digs hardly look like an exercise in skimping.
Note first that NAB is BUYING, not leasing (a big capital outlay), and the property features a “curved facade facing M Street, a rooftop terrace with a view of the Capitol, along with a 100-seat theater. Both the rooftop terrace and theater will be used for receptions and special events.”
It will allow “easier access to the Capitol for both its lobbyists and lawmakers.”
NAB’s head Gordon Smith has described it as a “showcase venue.” The building is being designed by top swanky architecture firm HOK, which is known for its design of the plush New York Palace Hotel, the ultra-hip Beijing Art Hotel, the exotic Baku Flame Towers, the Dubai Expo complex, and the lavish Atlantis Sanya resort.
At a minimum, kind of undercuts NAB’s message.
