Reminder: Auction on Monday!

2004-2010 MLK Ave is going up for public auction on Monday, November 10 at 10:30 AM at the building.

perfect layout for a grocery store. conveniently located on the not-too-distant future streetcar line. at the heart of every major development in Anacostia.

For more info, check out my previous post, some interesting history, as well as the official auction site.

Auction! 2004 MLK

When:

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 10:30 A.M.

Where:

At the Property:
2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE

What:

Remember the old bowling alley? Well, it's going on the auction block on November 10th. At 22,000 square feet, this is a remarkable opportunity to redevelop along what will soon be the most active development block east of the Anacostia River. Get in while the getting is good.

What it could become: a CVS, a bowling alley / bar / restaurant, a museum, a boutique design firm's office with artsy retail on the ground floor, a grocery store (Trader Joe's would be perfect, thanks), etc and so on.

For much more detailed info, Click Here

Good Luck!

the old bowling alley

the title might seem misleading, since 2004 MLK Ave has been a discount furniture store and a masonic temple for so long, but this yellow-glazed brick art deco jewel of a building was once something very different--and is now back on the market.







the proof is in the flooring. check out the stripes where the lane separations used to be:


the interior is now decked out in very forlorn-looking paper flags and remnants of furniture parts, burnt out fluorescents, and flaking linoleum:




the space upstairs is mostly taken by an old masonic temple auditorium of sorts, and a large ancient kitchen in back. looking out the back windows, I felt like I was seeing back to the American Dream, circa 1940:


overall, the potential of this building is ridiculous. I see a music venue, ala Rock & Roll Hotel or the Black Cat. The 3-tiered lower level is perfect for a variety of spaces to accomodate such a use. Or how about a gym: Washington Sports Club, Results, or Crunch. Even bring bowling back: another Strike, like in Bethesda--perfect for playing off the building's already-obvious retro style.

Endless possibilities, folks. It's going to take dreamers and doers, but good ol' 2 double-O 4 MLK will definitely live to see another day.