Podcast Summary: The Urbanist – Tall Stories 482: The Watergate Complex, Washington

Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Andrew Tuck
Episode Reporter: Charlotte McDonald Gibson
Guest: Keith Crom, Watergate Resident & Museum Advocate

Overview

This episode of The Urbanist’s Tall Stories investigates the modern legacy of Washington D.C.’s Watergate complex—world-renowned for its political scandal, but lesser-known for its groundbreaking architecture and urbanism. Charlotte McDonald Gibson explores whether a building synonymous with wrongdoing can recapture its reputation as a pioneer in city living and architectural innovation. Attorney and resident Keith Crom shares his vision to celebrate Watergate through a new museum while highlighting the enduring fascination with this iconic site.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reframing Watergate’s Identity

• Scandal to Urban Icon: Although the term “Watergate” conjures political infamy, the complex itself is largely overlooked as an architectural and urban development milestone ([01:27]).
  • Quote: “Watergate does not refer to a building but a complex of three residential buildings, two office blocks, a luxury hotel and a retail space.” – Narrator ([01:57])
• Original Appeal: In 1972, Watergate was coveted for its river views, proximity to power, and self-contained urban lifestyle.

2. Pioneering Urban Development

• First of Its Kind: Watergate was among Washington D.C.’s earliest planned urban developments, drawing downtown residents decades before it was trendy ([02:42]).
  • Quote: “People could live here, get everything they need, and not have to worry about really going beyond the Foggy Bottom area…This was a way to draw people downtown, but also show those people that you’ll have all the conveniences you’re used to right at your fingertips.” – Keith Crom ([02:42])

3. Architectural Innovation

• Luigi Moretti’s Vision: Designed by Italian architect Moretti, the complex features distinctive curved facades and balcony designs, a radical departure from D.C.’s federal style ([03:41]).
  • Quote: “People had the idea of, you have to have federal style buildings here. Why are you doing this thing with curves and, you know, these balconies that look like— I think Bob Woodward described it as Tyrannosaurus rex teeth.” – Keith Crom ([04:12])

4. Intertwining with History: The Watergate Scandal

• Site of a National Scandal: The 1972 break-in by Nixon’s reelection committee led to the president’s resignation and a new vocabulary of scandals-with-suffixes ([04:26]).
• Key Residents: Martha Mitchell, a notable whistleblower in the scandal, lived at Watergate.
• Lasting Fascination: The burglary, cover-up, and resignations are still points of public intrigue ([06:02]).

5. Revitalization through Heritage: Vision for a Watergate Museum

• Mission: Crom is spearheading efforts to establish a Watergate museum, not just to chronicle the scandal but to honor the complex’s architectural and historical significance ([03:05], [05:06]).
• Contemporary Resonance: The timing is prescient, as questions of presidential accountability recur in US politics today ([05:06]).
  • Quote: “The resonance of opening a museum into presidential misconduct at this moment in history…is not lost on Crom.” – Narrator ([05:06])
• Current Initiatives: A foundation has begun a lecture series and pop-up exhibitions, such as Laurie Munn’s portraits of scandal participants ([05:30]).

6. Challenges and Hopes for the Future

• Physical State: While residential and office blocks are well-maintained, retail spaces face decay and high vacancy ([05:45]).
• A Living Landmark: Crom hopes the museum will revive public spaces and keep the Watergate’s story alive ([06:02]).
  • Quote: “You constantly see people…pointing out the different buildings and relating the story of what happened in this building in 1972. And there’s just this natural interest in the story still…a lot of people turn to me and say, who’s going to remember this? But…people in their early 20s, or maybe not even 20 yet, who are gawking at the buildings and talking about the scandal. And I think because of that, it really still resonates today.” – Keith Crom ([06:02])

Notable Moments & Quotes

• On Urban Pioneering:

  “When it was conceived, it really was the first planned urban development in Washington, D.C. and it’s kind of funny that that’s almost commonplace today. That design has been mimicked and mimicked.”
  — Keith Crom ([03:27])

• On the Power of Place:

  “Living at the Watergate, you constantly see people on Virginia Avenue…relating the story of what happened in this building in 1972. And there’s just this natural interest in the story still.”
  — Keith Crom ([06:02])

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:49 | Introduction & Watergate Overview | Context of Watergate’s fame and scope | | 01:27 | Complex’s Urban History | Architectural context and legacy | | 02:42 | Keith Crom on Urban Innovation | Interview with resident and advocate | | 03:41 | Architect Luigi Moretti’s Influence | Architectural details and public reaction | | 04:26 | Scandal and its Aftermath | Watergate burglary and impact on the complex’s image | | 05:06 | Vision for a Museum | Crom’s museum concept and cultural relevance | | 06:02 | Resonance Today | Ongoing fascination and generational interest |

Conclusion

This episode thoughtfully reframes the Watergate complex as a touchstone of modern urbanism and architectural vision, urging listeners to see beyond scandal. Resident Keith Crom’s campaign for a museum embodies a desire to revitalize history’s intersection with the built environment, ensuring Watergate’s full story persists for future generations.