Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw

The Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw neighborhood, where row houses and condo conversions are dominating the market, is now well past the day it was supposed to welcome its first tenant who signed on late last year, but those plans recently abruptly came to a halt.

The Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw, which was to be the first at the revamped building at 641 S. St. NW, first leased 20,817 square feet to WorkSpaces LLC and planned to move in when the project is complete in January 2013.

But since then, WorkSpaces LLC has backed out of the deal, as it abruptly canceled plans just after announcing it had hired four new employees to the location. It also said it would close its New York and Baltimore locations.

Douglas Development Corp., which is renovating the long-dormant Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw with loft-like industrial spaces, wants to eventually lease 98,000 square feet of office space and about 24,000 square feet of retail, but the company has made few announcements about new tenants. The Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw was originally home to Dorsch’s White Cross Bakery before it was purchased by Continental Bakery in 1936 for the production of Hostess and Wonder Bread products.Douglas Development’s renovation includes outdoor terraces and lower level parking. Renderings of The Wonder Bread Factory In Shaw portray large floor-to-ceiling windows with its original brick exterior. This Wonder Bread Factory project in Shaw is one of several that will likely breathe new restaurant and nightlife venues into the Shaw neighborhood, where prices are still fairly low compared to elsewhere in the District.

Developers hope The Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw, with exterior plans approved by the District’s Historic Preservation Office, will include a microbrewery or restaurant on the ground floor. While the new development should serve Shaw residents well, it will not house any new residents – the Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw was originally going to include apartments, but now it will not.

The Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw is a distinct landmark in the community near the Shaw Metro stop. So, its renovation will not only give the Shaw community an economic boost, its improved exterior will replace the abandoned eye sore so many commuters pass by. And while the last of the Hostess products have shipped out after the iconic baker closed up shop, Shaw residents won’t soon forget Twinkies and Ding Dongs – plans call for the Wonder Bread and Hostess signs to stay on the façade of the Wonder Bread Factory in Shaw.

For More Information:

Rock Creek Realty: www.rcrd.com

Washington D.C. Business Journals: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/morning_call/2013/02/workspaces-closing-offices-backs-out.html

Prince of Petworth: http://www.princeofpetworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/641-S-St-Renderings.pdf

First Tenant: http://www.popville.com/2012/06/first-tenant-signed-for-wonder-bread-factory-in-shaw/