Listen closely as we explore the story of a building. It is more than just bricks and mortar. The Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse stands as a testament to innovation and a bygone era of retail.
The Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse is in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington D.C. It is a historic warehouse. The warehouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It was also designated a District of Columbia Historic Landmark in 1993.
Let’s step back to the late 1930s. The Woodward and Lothrop department store was a retail giant. It needed a better way to manage its operations. This led to the construction of the Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse. The warehouse was built between 1937 and 1939.
Abbott, Merkt & Company designed the Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse. This architecture firm was known for its warehouse designs. The building was designed with service, storage, and delivery in mind. It is a rare example of a mixed-use warehouse from that time. The Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse was one of the largest warehouses in the city.
The Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse stands out. This is because of its Streamline Moderne style. This architectural style was unusual for a warehouse. The design was not just meant to be functional. It was meant to be visually appealing. The District’s Historic Preservation Office recognized this. The architecture made it a historic structure.
The warehouse allowed the flagship store to increase its in-store merchandise. Other services and equipment had been re-located off-site. The shipping, delivery, and repairs departments had dedicated spaces. They could operate without getting in the way of the store’s main purpose. That was serving customers. The warehouse’s location was along major transportation thoroughfares. That made shipping more efficient for both the customer and the company.
Notice the large pink neon sign on the building’s exterior. It identifies the Woodward and Lothrop property. The sign remains. It is considered an integral part of the building’s history.
The Woodward and Lothrop company foundered in 1995. The Bristol Group took over the Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse. It was converted to office space. Today, tenants include various government agencies.
Considered alongside the Lothrop Mansion, the Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse is one of two D.C. Historic Landmarks. They are directly associated with the now-defunct Woodward and Lothrop department store chain.
Today, the Woodward and Lothrop Service Warehouse continues to stand. It is a reminder of the past. It is a symbol of a company. The company shaped the retail landscape of Washington D.C. It is a landmark that connects us to the city’s rich history.