Capper Seniors #1 Capper Building #2 Old Capper Seniors Capper Seniors News Items
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Two views of the Capper Seniors buildings. ( Top) March 2006, with construction underway at Capper Seniors #1 (left), and old Capper Seniors (right) still standing. Capper #1 was completed in late 2006. ( Bottom) The same view, two years later in March 2008  , with the old building demolished, and Capper Building #2, completed in late 2007, at lower right. You can also see the changes from all the other demolitions of Capper buildings across the bottom of the photos. |
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If you want to view more before-and-after photos of the old Capper Seniors building from additional locations,
see the Expanded Project Archive.
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The imposing old Capper Senior building, seen from L Street between 5th and 7th. Built in 1958, its decline into a haven for crime, vandalism and drug use brought about its closing in 1973. After seven years of delays, it was reopened in 1981 as a 292-unit building for low-income senior citizens, though crime was never eradicated. The last residents moved out in early 2007. Eventually this stretch of L Street will see new townhouses built. (12/06)
The same location, now a temporary surface parking lot after demolition was completed in late 2007. (6/02/08) 
A rendering of the plans for this same stretch of L Street as seen above, west of Seventh, where the city envisions building a 189-unit apartment building (having decided in 2008 to switch from the original idea of building townhouses along this site). 
Another view, from M Street at its intersection with Hull. (03/07)
The same location. (6/02/08)
A rendering of 600 M Street (roughly the same angle as the above photo), the 500,000-sq-ft office development eventually planned for the southern/M Street portion of the site. No timeline for delivery has yet been announced.
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A far-off view of the old building, from the roof of the Courtyard by Marriott, in March 2006. (2/6/06)
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The same location, three months after demolition, and with the temporary surface parking lot almost finished. (3/20/08)
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One more view of the entire building, as seen from M Street. (03/07)
The same location. (6/02/08)
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The eastern face of the building, on Seventh Street between L and M. (11/1/07)
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The same location, demolished. (6/02/08)
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Two views of the mid-November demolition work that tore the old building in two. First as seen from L Street.... (11/15/07)
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...And from M. (11/15/07)
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Looking east along L Street, between 5th and Seventh, days before the start of demolition. (11/1/07)
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The same location, with demolition underway. (6/02/08)
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The southwest corner of the building, facing M Street. (11/8/07)
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The same spot, one week later. (11/15/07)
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Much of the initial demolition of the brick exterior was handled by Bobcats being driven into the walls from inside the building, rather than by swinging a wrecking ball. At left is a wall just being punched out, while at right you can see one of the other Bobcats at work. Don't hit the gas instead of the brake, guys! (11/8/07)
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From its position above M Street, the roof at old Capper Seniors provided some panoramic views of Near Southeast, and of all the construction underway. This shot was taken a few days before demolition started. The Yards is at left, south of M Street, followed by the US Department of Transporation (which is hiding Nationals Park), the Carroll Apartments and Capper Building #2, Van Ness Elementary (center), 1100 New Jersey, Capitol Hill Tower, and the skeleton of 70 I Street at very far right. For more, see my 601 L Street overhead photos. (11/1/07)
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The top floor of the old seniors building, with interior demolition complete, just a few days before the building itself will start coming down. (11/1/07)
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The old seniors building, now a relic of the "old" Near Southeast, with the neighborhood's future as a commercial and residential destination rising a few blocks away. (11/1/07)
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The elevator off the ground-floor lobby. (11/1/07)
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The old sign. (11/1/07)
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The sign welcoming visitors to the Arthur Capper Senior Citizens Facility at 601 L Street, SE, is still intact, but the building's demolition is just a few weeks away, and interior hazmat cleanup is almost completed. (10/19/07)
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A somewhat far-away view (thanks to a wide-angle lens) shows the old building's prominent position atop the eastern end of M Street, with newer buildings lining up to the west. (03/07)
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Capper Seniors #1 Capper Building #2 Old Capper Seniors Capper Seniors News Items
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