Capitol Hill will head into the new year with no clear plans for its two largest empty commercial spaces leaving an entire block of E Pike and one of Broadway’s most prominent corners shuttered, darkened, and disconnected.

A CHS review of real estate listings, construction and business permits, and details from commercial real estate professionals familiar with the properties shows that both the 7,200-square-foot former Broadway Rite Aid and the boarded-up 8,000-square-foot E Pike grocery formerly home to Amazon Fresh are likely to remain empty well into 2025.

Both of the spaces are especially challenging leases as their relatively massive square footage collides with the rates typically required in the current Capitol Hill commercial real estate market. Meanwhile, there are fewer and fewer smaller suites available with recent closures mostly quickly claimed by new tenants.

201 Broadway E, where the Rite Aid was shuttered a year ago as massive drugstore chains filed for bankruptcy to settle federal and state opioid lawsuits, the property is being marketed as the “historic Broadway Theater” as its owners look for a new tenant.

That search is a major challenge. The building’s longtime local ownership was not interested in talking about it.

“I spoke with the owner, and he prefers no comments at this time,” one agent involved with the listing told CHS. “Best of luck with your work.” Continue reading →