True Reformer Building, Bank building in U Street Corridor, Washington DC.
The True Reformer Building is a four-story structure with buff brick facades and ground-level storefronts along U Street. The design combines residential units and commercial spaces in a traditional early 1900s architectural style.
Completed in 1903, this was the first building in the United States designed, financed, and constructed entirely by the African American community. The accomplishment marked a significant moment in Black economic independence and control over their own development.
The building served as a gathering place for the African American community, combining financial services, housing, and commercial spaces under one roof. Residents could handle their banking needs while staying connected to local businesses and neighbors.
The building is located in the U Street Corridor, a busy neighborhood with good transit access and nearby parking options. The site is walkable and situated near other historic sites and local businesses.
Duke Ellington performed his first concert within these walls, and the space later housed a dance hall and gymnasium. This musical legacy connects the building to the city's vibrant jazz heritage.
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