F.H. Paschen Completes Multi-Year Renovation of Historic Bolger Center Hotel In Nation’s Capital

Comprehensive overhaul and modernization of 410 guest rooms at one of nation’s premier venues for conferences, corporate retreats and social events

POTOMAC, MD — Nationally-recognized builder F.H. Paschen has finished a two-year, $21 million renovation of the guest accommodations at the William F. Bolger Center, a historic 83-acre hotel and training facility owned by the U.S. Postal Service.

The project, started in 2024 and reached total completion this Summer, focused on modernizing the guest spaces for the thousands of Postal Service employees and corporate clients who visit the center annually for leadership development and conferences.

The Bolger Center, originally built in the 1930s as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy, was purchased by the USPS in the 1980s. It is named for William F. Bolger, the 65th Postmaster General.

The facility, one of the nation’s premier venues for conferences, corporate retreats and social events, is the only hotel in the country to feature an on-site Smithsonian Institution exhibit.

The extensive project involved the complete interior renovation of six separate buildings on the campus

The extensive project involved the complete interior renovation of six separate buildings on the campus where crews stripped guest rooms down to the frame to allow for new updated finishes and interior layouts resulting in 410 final guest rooms.

That work also included converting single rooms to doubles allowing for a more contemporary guest experience.

"Opening up walls in an older building like the historic Bolger Center always reveals a few surprises, but dealing with that complexity is what we do best," said Zachary Strouth, Project Manager at F.H. Paschen. "We embrace the hard jobs and work directly with our partners to solve problems and get it built right."

Designed by architects Gauthier, Alvarado, and Associates (GAA), the renovation replaced the previous dark olive and beige corridors with a brighter, modern aesthetic.

The scope included new lobbies, corridors, and fully updated bathrooms featuring new tile and water-efficient fixtures. Additionally, a new fitness center was constructed within Buildings C and D.

The Bolger Center has a unique legacy

"The Bolger Center has a unique legacy, serving as a hub for both the Postal Service and the wider community," said Charles Lawler, Leader of the Mid-Atlantic region for F.H. Paschen. "Our goal was to deliver a space that respects that history while providing the comfort and functionality today's guests expect. These upgrades ensure the guest side of the facility matches the high quality of the training and events hosted here."

F.H. Paschen is a national infrastructure builder and general contractor. With more than 120 years of continuous operations and 16 years in the Mid-Atlantic region, the company delivers major public-sector and private-sector construction projects.

Specializing in complex heavy civil systems, Paschen constructs highway bridges, airport runways, transit corridors, and municipal water networks across the United States.

Beyond infrastructure, the company builds commercial, institutional, and municipal facilities, including airports, hospitals, parks, schools, fire stations and corporate headquarters.

Source: F.H. Paschen.