American Express is donating to the renovation of the historic Corcoran building on 17th Street, the University announced Monday.
The donation, for an undisclosed amount, will cover the cost of restoring the oak and bronze-covered doors at the 17th Street entrance to the building, according to a release.
The 4,000-pound doors will be taken to an off-site facility to be cleaned and refurbished after a 2013 inspection found that they had suffered substantial damage, according to the release.
“This generous gift from American Express ensures that the doors continue to be an integral part of the Corcoran School for years to come,” Sanjit Sethi, the director of the Corcoran, said in the release. “GW’s commitment to restoration is only surpassed by its commitment to educating the next generation of creative practitioners.”
Timothy McClimon, the president of the American Express Foundation, said in the release that the company often gives gifts to restore historic locations.
“The Corcoran building is a symbol of our nation’s prodigious cultural and artistic heritage,” he said. “We hope the restoration of the doors will encourage students and visitors to continue exploring the legacy of this notable Washington landmark.”
The project is part of the University’s estimated $80 million renovation of the 119 year-old Corcoran building, which houses the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design.
The renovation is currently in its initial phase which includes making upgrades to heating, cooling and mechanical systems.