RSS FeedTwo More Chinatown Buildings Up For Sale
It is no secret that Chinatown’s Chinese flavor is becoming more mainstream and commercial. Every month, distinctively Chinese establishments become Suntrust Banks and temporary headquarters for mayoral candidates. One week ago, we learned that China Doll was sold to a developer. The most reasonable explanation for this transformation is that the original Chinese owners are growing older and are cashing out of their now prime real estate for a nice retirement.
Due to Chinatown’s dwindling Chinese presence, Chinatown has even been referred to as “Chinablock” by satirists. Informally, “Chinablock” can be defined as H St between 5th and 7th streets. This is the exact location of the last Chinese New Year event and encases the friendship arch, the Chinese cultural center, and the majority of distinctively Chinese establishments.
Up for sale today are 507 H St NW (asking: $1,899,000) and 817 6th St NW (asking: $1,550,000). Unfortunately for the sellers, these asking prices seem a little high considering 507 H St appears to be in a state of disrepair and 817 is not likely to be in “move in” condition. Both buildings are on the historic register which would make renovations or any additions more complicated, time consuming, and expensive to complete.
Clock on the map image for a closer look at the locations of these buildings.
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I think you’ll have a terribly long wait for that. With CVS going away (thank you) and that corner planned as Gallery Place The Sequel, I think the idea of Chinatown being a busy marketplace is gone. Busy yes, shops yes, expensive everything, yes, but anything remotely unique about it? Doubtful. In fact, I notice more and more people who live there refer to the area as “Gallery Place” rather than “Chinatown”, even if they don’t actually live in the Gallery Place building. Sad. I like saying I live in Chinatown.
You say “dwindling” Chinese presence, but I think the Chinese Community Church bought the Baptist Church on 5th and I.
Anon: Yes, the Chinese Community Church did buy the 5th & I St building. That is just one building, whereas several distintively Chinese-owned buildings lining H St have been sold in the past months. I think the perception is that fewer Chinese retaurants and Chinese shops contribute to a declining Chinese presence.
fair point gpliving. i would agree with you that there is a declining Chinese visibility and asthetic.
i was trying to point out that the actual Chinese community showed signs of an expanding presence. i imagine the church will be for the Chinese, predominately.
but i haven’t attended the Chinatown Steering Committee ever. Nor do I see a Wah Luck Condominium in the works. so I guess i shouldn’t be so hopeful that more Chinese are moving in.
it would be nice for their community to thrive, because the Chinese part of Chinatown is a one-dimensional tourist trap of restaurants, gift shops, and the NY-bound Chinatown bus. not much geared to any residents, much less Chinese ones.
Ironically (if Carrie B. is right about the CVS closing down soon) the closest thing I’ve seen to a Chinese neighborhood business transaction is the Cantonese-speaking CVS pharmicist filling out an elder’s prescription. maybe the heavy volume of patients at the local acupuncture practices have escaped my notice, but i doubt it.
too bad Chinatown doesn’t cater to its own. hope that changes.
If Chinatown is reduced to Chinablock, what will become of the Chinatown Bus? The C-Town bus is so clutch for my weekend trips to Philly.
The Chinatown area in DC has been in decline for a long time, at the very least for 20-30 years. What we’re witnessing is the end of a long process, not the beginning or even the middle–so unfortunately there’s not much that can be done. (But it’s only unfortunate for those that live in our neighborhood–there are vibrant Asian immigrant populations alive and well in the suburbs.) In the next decade or two, we’ll be stuck with the juxtaposition of DC’s law requiring Chinese characters on all neighborhood businesses and the fact that there is nothing left of the historical Chinatown.
it looks like I could get 4-1 BRs or 2-2 level 2 BRs out of the H Street property. at $1.9M + $0.3K for renovations, I’d need to liquidate at over $1M per unit just to break even. for 1 BRS, the rate would be $550K per unit. the math just isn’t working for a rehab project. north of Massachusetts, however, could be a different story.
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More mainstream, yes, but not commercial enough compared to the other Chinatowns that I’ve seen. Where are the packed markets and streetside vendors?
I am hopeful the upcoming “Jackey’s Cafe” provides a new model for Chinese businesses. Jackey’s is on H between Tony Cheung’s and the Eat First, and its renovation looks very promising.
But I agree, kind of sad that these buildings are just sitting there. If Balducci’s doesn’t think their space is a slam-dunk for their business (given the location, DC tax incentives, and sole entrant), hard to think another business will think these dilapidated Chinatown buildings are financially feasible.
Can’t wait for Chinatown to be more commerical. I’m still waiting for a neighborhood market (meat and seafood), hardware store, and shops.