JLL’s Project and Development Services business has detailed its role in the expansion and redevelopment of the National Geographic Society’s Museum of Exploration in DC. The museum, located on 17th Street NW, has now reopened following a large-scale program of work that combined new construction, adaptive enhancements to existing spaces and coordination across a multidisciplinary project team.
The project centered on a $300 million expansion that delivers an enlarged museum experience spanning over 100,000 square feet. The scope included the ground-up construction of an expanded museum, along with a nighttime courtyard experience designed to extend visitor engagement beyond traditional hours. Additional program elements encompassed a new education center and integrated retail space, adding complementary uses to the museum campus.
A key component of the effort was the transformation of an existing auditorium into a state-of-the-art theater. This conversion required careful management of construction activities around an occupied headquarters setting, as the work proceeded while day-to-day operations for the National Geographic Society continued on site. The complex logistics underscored the need for rigorous oversight of contractor performance, scheduling and coordination with the broader project team.
“We are thrilled to debut the National Geographic Society’s Museum of Exploration,” said Mark Ahern, Managing Director, JLL, PDS Projects. “This project really showcases JLL’s expertise in handling large-scale, multi-faceted expansions while maintaining daily operations of an occupied headquarters.” His comments highlight the dual objective of delivering a significant expansion while preserving business continuity for the organization.
Ahern and Hali Voycik, Vice President of PDS Projects, led the coordination of a multidisciplinary team of specialty design consultants across the museum, courtyard, education and retail components. The broader team, which included Senior Project Managers Michael Mensing and Kelly Ring, as well as Project Manager Nicole Roethel, oversaw contractor performance, regulatory compliance, risk management and construction activities. Their collective responsibilities covered both technical execution and adherence to regulatory requirements throughout the redevelopment.
With the reopening of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, the institution now offers an expanded physical platform that incorporates exhibition space, educational functions, retail offerings and an enhanced theater environment, all delivered through a coordinated effort between JLL’s Project and Development Services team and its network of design and construction partners.
