Any groundbreaking will make ya smile, but this one meant tearing down one of DC's most controversial designs. Yesterday, JBG, ICG Properties, and Rittenhouse Partners celebrated the start of construction on 900 16th St, the 125k SF mixed-use project on the site where the Brutalist Third Church of Christ, Scientist once stood. Law firm Miller & Chevalier has signed on for 70% of the office space, and the partners are building a new church in the property. Snapped here: JBG's Matt Kelly and Britt Snider, DC politicos Jack Evans and Victor Hoskins, JBG's Paul Adkins, ANC 2B chair Will Stephens, ICG's David Stern, and Miller & Chevalier's Adam Feinberg.

Here's that old Brutalist design, built in 1971 and torn down earlier this year. The new church (featuring a glassy entrance) will occupy 12k SF of the building, and 4,000 SF of ground-floor retail will also be included. (Following its completion, there will be a heaven-breaking the first Sunday after its completion. Instead of shovels, they use prayers.)

We snapped Paul with church member Jeanne Kirkpatrick, whose late husband Darrow was a longtime lay leader of the Third Church of Christ. Jeanne says she's pleased with the Robert Stern/Cooper Carry-designed project, which blends the historic nature of the site with 21st century features. Delivery is expected late next year.