Located just north of downtown and anchored by the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the Shaw neighborhood has a vibrant past and a bright future.
Development of the area began in
the 1860s along the 7th and 9th Street streetcar lines. A wide range of businesses lined these corridors, including bakers, lumberyards, clothiers, hardware stores, theaters, barbers, restaurants, and nightclubs. And the variety of businesses in the area was as diverse as the residents of the blocks surrounding these commercial streets. Among the people who called Shaw home were internationally known historic figures “Duke” Ellington, Carter G. Woodson, and Langston Hughes.
Like much of the District, Shaw experienced an extended period of decline in the mid-twentieth century. Several factors brought about this time of disinvestment, including the loss of the streetcars, the shift of population and retail to the suburbs, and the 1968 riots. The area became characterized by boarded and vacant buildings, liquor stores, fast food carryouts, and used car lots.
The 1990s foreshadowed a grand, new era for the neighborhood. In 1991, after years of construction, Metro completed construction of the Green Line and accompanying stations in the core of the neighborhood. The long-planned, $850 million convention center broke ground in 1997 on what were acres of surface parking lots.
In the past decade, Shaw has become a vibrant and attractive community in the District of Columbia. Long abandoned homes and buildings have been renovated. Long vacant storefronts are occupied with new businesses that neighbors and visitors alike patronize. Developers have invested millions of dollars into major new construction projects that have brought with them new residents, new businesses and guests to the District of Columbia. Shaw's renaissance is apparent.
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