Sept. 20, 2018 - On Sept. 19, 2018,
a four-alarm fire that began in the attic spread across the entire top of the Capper Seniors building, leaving the roof destroyed and the top floors heavily damaged. Donations to help the displaced residents can be made
to the Arthur Capper Seniors Recovery Fund.
Looking at the northeast corner of 5th and K Streets, SE, starting before the construction of the first building, through the fire and demolition and to the construction of the second building.
Jan. 12, 2020 - Old and new.
For years, the boarded up Capper Apartment building, built in 1958 and abandoned in the mid-1990s, was the focal point at the bottom of the 6th Street SE exit from the Southeast Freeway. (09/03)
The same location, more than three years later, a few months after Capper Seniors #1 opened. (05/07)
Another 2003 view of the 5th and Virginia site, looking west down Virginia, before the demolition of the Capper apartment building. (10/03)
The same location, three years later and completed. (12/06)
The northeast corner of 5th and K, seven months after the demolition of the Capper apartment building. (07/04)
Same spot, 3 1/2 years later, a few months after the building opened to tenants. (03/07)
Looking west across the playing field at the
Marine Bachelor Enlisted Quarters to see the construction progressing on Capper #1; this view is the same as in the elevation above at left. (10/05)
A little over a year later, as Capper #1 is completed. (12/06)
Four views of the last standing Capper Apartment building, from almost exactly the same vantage point (5th Street, just north of the intersection of 5th and K). These old structures were the first public housing built in DC with elevators. Top left: boarded up and awaiting demolition (June 2003); top right: demolition almost complete (January 2004); bottom left: All gone (February 2004); bottom right: a few weeks after the building opened (January 2007).
Four more views of the last Capper Apartment building as it came down, from almost exactly the same vantage point (Virginia Avenue, west of 5th Street), in September 2000, January 2004, February 2004, and December 2006.
Capper Seniors #1 cuts a nice figure even from a few blocks away (seen here from the Courtyard by Marriott at 2nd and L). The homes across the street from Capper Seniors #1 are private residences, and will remain in place while the Capper/Carrollsburg revitalization happens around them. (01/11/07)
Two pre-construction renderings of new Capper Senior Building #1, at 5th and Virginia; they came pretty close to the real thing!