Chipotle Signs Lease for First DC Chain East of Anacostia River
By Christina sturdivant-Sani May 31, 2018 5:04 pm
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Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a lease at 1541 Alabama Avenue SE for its first D.C. outpost east of the Anacostia River.
The fast-food eatery will occupy 2,430 square feet in the Shops at Park Village, in a space that formerly housed SunTrust Bank, according to a spokeswoman for Rappaport, which represented the landlord in the deal.
Chipotle signed a 10-year deal during the week of May 20, according to the Rappaport spokeswoman. She declined to disclose the asking rent.
“Having a national brand like Chipotle commit to a location in Ward 8 is a huge milestone,” Matt Ritz, a senior vice president for landlord WC Smith, told Commercial Observer. He has led the shopping center’s development since Giant grocery store opened 10 years ago.
Ritz added: “For a long time, Ward 8 has been underserved by retail and I think Chipotle’s coming reinforces that there is opportunity for retail to go in Ward 8 and there are incomes that can support it.”
Ritz also said that Chipotle is a great complement to existing shops in the Congress Heights shopping center such as IHOP, Subway and Pizza Boli’s.
Rappaport brokers Bill Dickinson and Kyle Gamber represented WC Smith in the deal.
“Chipotle is the highest and best use for the center; they are a best-in-class retailer that pioneered the QSR [Quick Service Restaurant] movement and this lease positively signals the retail transformation of the area,” Dickinson said in a prepared statement. “Chipotle seized the opportunity in this neighborhood that is experiencing housing growth and large-scale development.”
Sean Harcourt of H&R Retail, who represented Chipotle in the deal, would only confirm that the previous tenant was SunTrust Bank.
There are 19 Chipotle locations west of the river, according to the company website.
