The Shops at National Place

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = The Shops at National Place


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opening_date = 1984
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developer= The Rouse Company
number_of_stores = 75
number_of_anchors =
floor_area =
parking = 450
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The Shops at National Place is a three-level, indoor shopping mall located in downtown Washington, D.C.. It is located on the block bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, F Street, between 13th and 14th Streets, NW. It is located at the Metro Center stop of the Washington Metro system. The Shops contains over 75 specialty shops and eateries, including Casual Corner and Filene's Basement. An international food court opened about 2005.

History

The Shops opened in two phases during 1984 and 1985. It was designed as a central piece in revitalizing downtown Washington, D.C.'s traditional downtown shopping core along F Street, NW, west of the Woodward & Lothrop flagship. The Shops replaced the former flagship stores of Raleigh's and Joseph R. Harris Co.

The first phase of 53 stores opened on May 14, 1984, and was developed by the The Rouse Co. The 71,000 square foot retail complex was hailed as "part of a very important renaissance of downtown Washington." The Shops opened concurrently with a new 774-room JW Marriott Hotel (the first in that chain), and refurbished National Theater and National Press Club. ["53-Store Indoor Mall is Opened in District," "The Washington Post," May 15, 1984, p. B6.] ["Major Share of National Place Sold," "The Washington Post," Sep 1, 1984, p. E1.]

The 40-store phase two of The Shops opened April 25, 1985. It included August Max, Record Town, and Brooks Fashions among the original tenants. The complex featured a 15-story atrium for the refurbished National Press Club building and 450 spaces of underground parking. At the opening ceremony Mayor Marion Barry proclaimed "Downtown is coming alive . . .!" ["40 New Shops Herald 'Alive' Downtown," "The Washington Post," Apr 26, 1985, p. B1.] ["Cityscape: The News Place," "The Washington Post," Apr 27, 1985, p. C1.]

References