Repurposing the Uline Arena in the Heart of DC

Uline Arena. Washington DC.

The Uline Arena is an excellent example of successful adaptive reuse. The Uline Arena was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The property was originally owned by businessman/entrepreneur, Michael Uline, who built his fortune in the ice making industry. In 1940 Uline commissioned architect Joe Henry Lapich to design an ice house/plant and an attached arena. Lapich used a revolutionary technique for the arena- a barrel vaulted roof made from thin reinforced concrete, with supporting ribs on the outside. This design was simpler and faster to build while creating unobstructed views in the interior. From 1940s-1970s the Uline Arena was DC’s premier events space. The arena hosted events including ice hockey, basketball, rodeos, circuses, defense expos, boxing matches, midget car races, music performances, and variety shows. In 1953 it was the location for Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inaugural ball. After Micheal Uline’s death in 1958 the building was purchased by Henry J. Lynn. The Uline Arena was renamed the Washington Coliseum and continued to host music performances, ballet and theater, as well as civil rights events. In 1961 it hosted an event by the members of the Nation of Islam with speaker, Malcom X. And, in 1964 it was the location of The Beatles first concert in the US. Eventually the building became underused after the opening of the nearby Capital Centre. In its years of decline the building was used as a detention center, a faith center, a trash transfer center, and a parking garage. It was placed on the “Most Endangered Places 2003” list and sold to Douglas Development in 2004. Douglas Development worked with Antunovich Architects to carefully renovate the building, retaining its exterior shell. Today the Uline Arena is a vibrant mixed-use building in the revived neighborhood of NoMa (North of Massachusetts)- sandwiched between the Metro Red line station, Union Station, Union Market, and the Atlas District/H St Corridor. The building’s design features include 12’-18’ loft ceilings, exposed brick, multiple outdoor terraces, fitness center with garage doors to outdoor courtyard, and a rooftop terrace. REI chose the Uline Arena for its DC flagship location. Other tenants include La Colombe Coffee, CycleBar, Red Bear Brewing Co, Spaces, and Antunovich Architects. The development has earned multiple awards including: 2016 CREBA (Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Assoc of Greater Washington DC) Project of the Year, 2017 AIA Urban Catalyst, Presidential Citation, and 2019 District of Columbia Award in Historic Preservation.