The Fairfax, Va., office of Balfour Beatty Construction was selected to provide preconstruction services and manage construction of the new Washington, D.C., headquarters for NPR, the producer and distributor of news, talk and entertainment programming.

Located in a business improvement district of Washington, D.C., the headquarters will transform an historic warehouse into a sustainable 330,000-sq-ft office building.

The project was designed by Hickok Cole Architects of Washington, D.C., to achieve LEED Gold specifications. The restored existing warehouse will connect to a new structure with three below-grade levels and seven levels of above-grade office and studio space.

The facility will house production studios, a 10,000-sq-ft data center, and a 100,000-sq-ft, open-concept newsroom. It also will feature a theater/production venue that will accommodate approximately 250 people for live performances and events; and other amenities.

Balfour Beatty expects to start construction this fall, and complete the project by the end of 2012. Boston Properties is serving as development manager on the project.