From the Hilltop to the Hill: McCourt’s vibrant new home offers unparalleled access and opportunity

When the McCourt School of Public Policy opened the doors to its new home at 125 E St. in the heart of Washington, DC, newcomers were wowed by the expansive Main Commons, a grand staircase that traverses all nine floors and sweeping views of the U.S. Capitol. 

But while the RAMSA-designed, LEED-Platinum certified building on Georgetown University’s growing Capitol Campus is impressive in its own right, what may be even more remarkable is how it physically and symbolically represents the McCourt School’s mission and its role as a convenor. The space was designed intentionally for a community of global citizens, tackling the complex issues of today and building bridges between their work and the communities they serve.

Expanded space for expanded impact

The McCourt School’s former home on the Hilltop Campus could not physically contain its growing student body, faculty and staff, or accommodate its larger vision of being the most inclusive policy school in the nation. 

Small and siloed into more traditional office spaces, Georgetown’s Old North Building had only one conference room for shared events and no classrooms or enough office spaces, which meant students, faculty and staff were scattered across campus. The McCourt School’s vital institutes and research centers — the Massive Data Institute, Institute of Politics and Public Service and Tech & Public Policy program among them — were equally dispersed, not exactly encouraging the engagement and meaningful collaboration so important to policymaking.

In addition to the limited accessibility of its geographic location for policymakers and the broader DC community, there simply wasn’t enough room to bring students, faculty and staff together, let alone the outside world.

That all changed with 125 E St., which puts McCourt School students, faculty, staff and researchers all under the same roof for the first time since the School’s founding. With more than 150,000 square feet of space, 20 classrooms, a 400-seat auditorium and numerous team and conference rooms, the building can accommodate the whole of McCourt and its vision for the future — including undergraduates.

“We designed the building from the ground up to reflect the goals and vision of the McCourt School. Just the ability to all be in one place will be really helpful in being the kind of school we want to be,” said Dean Maria Cancian. 

Creating new connections and deepening ties to DC

One key goal was to encourage “serendipitous interactions.” So, the building features a grand stairwell that cuts across all nine floors, along with more intimate conversation areas to encourage frequent and organic interactions. Although traditional office spaces exist, the building focuses on shared and flexible spaces to foster casual meetings and interactions. 

“We wanted the physical space to prioritize community and connection,” said Sharon Mar, chief of operations & administration at the McCourt School. “In Old North, I was on the second floor, and there would be weeks or months where I would not see someone from the fourth floor. Just getting coffee now I inevitably bump into someone from another floor.”   

The McCourt School’s new home on the Capitol Campus offers greater accessibility to experiential learning opportunities and other Georgetown schools and programs, including the Law Center, the School of Continuing Studies and the Capitol Applied Learning Labs.

“I really do see this new space as a crossroads that welcomes people to come together,” said Cancian. “The whole building is designed to have people have a seat and really take the time to think with one another. We just did not have that space in the old building.”

The building’s crossroads are not just with Georgetown but also with the larger policy community, including the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court and other influential institutions in domestic and international policy. This allows for more frequent and meaningful collaboration with policymakers and local leaders. 

“The move of the McCourt School to the Capitol Campus is the tip of the spear of its growth, citing the home of policy at the heart of national and international policymaking,” said Provost Robert M. Groves. 

125 E St. also houses policymakers and political practitioners for more frequent and meaningful collaboration. Early partners include Decision Desk Headquarters, Future Caucus and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. 

“We need to create a space where students, faculty and policymakers can come together and hear things they have not heard before and have the opportunity and experience of that engagement being productive,” said Cancian. 

A home for today and tomorrow

In the fall of 2025, McCourt will welcome undergraduate students to 125 E St. through the Joint Program in Public Policy (JPPP), the first collaboration between Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences and the McCourt School.

The JPPP offers undergraduates the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Public Policy. Students spend their first two years on the Hilltop Campus and their last two years at the Capitol Campus, taking courses at 125 E St.  

“JPPP expands the population of changemakers that McCourt is actively trying to cultivate,” said James Habyarimana, provost distinguished associate professor and JPPP faculty director. “Undergrads will inject energy, curiosity, imagination and fresh perspectives to produce new solutions to the really urgent problems we face today.” 

As an integral part of Georgetown’s growing Capitol Campus, 125 E St. injects a similar amount of energy into the University’s enduring legacy and vibrant presence in Washington, DC.

“The growth of Georgetown launching the Capitol Campus reflects its commitment to our nation’s capital city,” said Groves. “Our site in proximity to executive, legislative and judicial branch headquarters enables an ongoing partnership that will permit Georgetown to serve the nation and city more impactfully.” 

The McCourt School is fully embracing its role in the community and creating a welcoming environment for the policymakers and public servants of today and tomorrow.

“This is who we are,” said Mar. “We took part in building this, and it reflects all the hopes and dreams of our community. It truly feels like ours now.”