Former Woodward & Lothrop Depsrtment Store - Washington DC

An afternoon commuter strides by the former Woodie’s department store at the corner of 11th and F Streets NW.

The Woodward & Lothrop building at 11th and F Streets NW was Washington’s largest and most important department store complex for most of the 20th century, growing from a single 1880s storefront into a full-block retail “department store city. Located at 11th and F Streets NW, the original Woodward & Lothrop building was an architectural gem, showcasing a blend of Beaux-Arts and Classical Revival styles.

For much of the 20th century, it was the center of downtown shopping, a major holiday destination, and a symbol of middle-class Washington life. It was so dominant that it anchored the entire F Street retail district, alongside rivals like Garfinckel’s and Hecht’s. The local’s called it “Woodie’s.”

The company went out of business in 1995, and the building was empty for long periods afterwards. In the 2000’s, the building was completely revamped on the inside, and has since been used for retail and office space as well as other commercial activities. This adaptive reuse is often cited as an early example of successful conversion of a major American downtown department store into Class A office space.