DC Metrocentric

The Yale Steam Laundry Building could not be more trendy. It’s got the high ceilings, modern interiors, and of course the rooftop pool, but behind the hip “NY style Lofts” (whatever those are) is a great historic building with an interesting story.  

The Yale Steam Laundry Co., founded in 1885 by former postal clerks Frank Walker and Frank Smith serviced the district for over 80 years. Even with the redevelopment the building is unmistakably an industrial facility: the roof held a pair of 5,800-gallon water tanks, whose pedestals remain in place today. Many great details were preserved in the new design and how can you miss the big vertical “Yale” painted on the side of the main tower. 

The 16 lofts in the historic laundry building on the left of the rendering are the newest refurbishment within the Yale Steam Laundry development. This is in addition to the new 133-unit tower.

Though the tower building has great views, we suspect that they are not going to last that long as NoMa gets further developed and another “trendy” project goes up and blocks the view. Plus the neighborhood is still very ruff around the edges. Still history and preservation goes a long way in our book, so the we like it overall!