DuPont Underground

In 1890, the first street car came to Washington D.C., but it quickly became popular and lead to tense congestion. In 1918, Congress sought to find a solution. World War II saw an influx of individuals using the system.

​

In 1949, Capital Transit created a trolley system through DuPont Circle.

​

After 13 years filled with labor protests and the rise of cars, the trolley came to an end. The underground was turned into a food court, which did not last long due to the poor conditions and the project individuals (such as Geary Stephen Simon) were in and out of jail:

​

“Apparently the ventilation failed within the first month and the place didn’t smell good ... I know people who went down there during summer months and it just was not pleasant."

-- Agnese

In 2003, Julian Hunt moved to D.C. from Barcelona, Spain, and quickly fell in love with the underground structure. He applied to make the space something new. 

​

While he secured a 66 month lease, it is running out and he and others are working to make the current Underground a permeant experience under DuPont Circle.