On October 21, Washington, D.C.’s first ever REI and the company’s fifth ever flagship store will open in the Northeast neighborhood, NoMa. The site will also host a new La Colombe.
The store is located in the historic Uline Arena building, which once hosted events that included ice skating, circuses, and The Beatles’ first ever U.S. concert. It also was once known as the Washington Coliseum.
Douglas Development announced the plans to redevelop the site in 2015. Inside, the 51,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified building houses a courtyard and 30 percent more product than a typical REI store. It also utilizes reclaimed wood and steel as well as the original flooring of the building.
Other highlights include a Community Room for classes, events, and meetings for outdoorsy groups as well as an Adventure Station, which will allow the public to ask experts from the National Park Service questions like "What’s an easy hike nearby to go on?" and "Where are the best places in the D.C. area to camp?"
In celebration of the grand opening, REI will host a block party from October 21 through 23 with door prizes, beer, s’mores, and live music.
For more photos inside the new REI, check out the photo gallery below. If interested in seeing what the site looked like when it was under construction, go to this Curbed DC article.