Washington DC's UNDERGROUND CITY is about to close... Crystal City Underground

[@Quieresbro]

All of the stores in the underground mall are like fake stores you'd see in a video game mall or something. It's so strange

[@DanHominem]

coconut_mall.mp3

[@evelk5233]

in the late 1990s it was totally full

[@stephenshaw7593]

The old DC/Northern Virginia is dying. No more are RFK, Phillip's Flagship, Captain White's Seafood Barge, Orleans House, the Americana Hotel, the Crystal City Underground. These places were DC area staples. Icons.

[@washingtondc9290]

They are about to redo the RFK stadium, The Commanders could be coming back, as for Captain White Seafood, they are right outside of Southeast DC at the National Harbor, but I do understand a little of what you saying they are not in the actual city, but in the suburbs to the politics, this is all considered DC to us DC is just Northeast Southeast, Southwest and Southeast, but all of it is the DC Metro area at the end of the day

[@washingtondc9290]

I type Southeast twice meant to put *Northwest as well

[@spmcdill]

I stayed at the Americana when I was on vacation back in 2013. It was absolutely fabulous and a beautifully refreshing mid century thoroughback. Every day while I was there, we would go through Crystal City to take the metro into DC. This is all such a shame.

[@manlan8]

I moved to the DMV for work in 1999, and that's where my first job was. I thought it was super cool that you could get off the Metro and walk several blocks to your office, a hotel, an apartment or even a grocery store without going outside. I considered renting an apartment over there with all the easy connectivity. Of course, that Safeway that was in the shops closer to 23rd Street is long closed now, and as the video shows, the tunnel connecting that area to the Metro is currently blocked.

[@cds1848]

I shopped at that Safeway c. 1999-2001 when I lived in Crystal City. It thought it was the coolest thing having come from a farm in Indiana.

[@Salmagundiii]

Wowzers. I can remember thinking this was the coolest thing in the early 1990s.

[@SeaBassTian]

Great video! I actually got lost in these tunnels when I stayed at that Marriot last month. Having said that, once I got the lay of the land, it was supereasy to get into & out of DC & back to Crystal City through the underground. I don't know if the underground mall itself was ever a thriving destination, deff gave off a sad flea market vibe with odd shops and some food vendors. I mean, the fact that there's a puppet store while cute is a sign that it's not a mainstream shopping destination. Yes I agree, convert it into housing!

[@Salmagundiii]

It was definitely thriving in the 1990s.

[@yoyobass100]

At 12:39, there used to be pedestrian bridges that connected directly to the red and orange sections of the underground that were demolished circa the late 2000s to the early 2010s.

[@lemapp]

When I was young, I would drive to Crystal City. Parking was free on the weekends. Then catch the Metro into DC. When originally built, it was a mix of office and residential. Most of the offices were US Military and Defense Contractor. Then there was the series of BRAC commissions that sought to close redundant military operation. Also, the Pentagon expanded in size with its major redevelopment. The underground portions ran from I-95 (Next to the Pentagon) to the access road to Reagan Airport. The main shopping area was around the Metro station. In recent years, it feels creepy being down there, walking along for long stretches and not see anyone.

[@jyutzler]

It's still the most convenient park and ride for weekend trips.

[@29downtheline]

I’ve never been in the part of the mall across Crystal Dr from the Metro station or much of it north of the Metro station. I’m glad the tunnels are staying open, but I’m sad to see the stores go. I’m actually surprised this isn’t more popular, considering how dense the office buildings are in Crystal City. Perhaps it’s just that the mall is dated and people just don’t know about it? I think the closest other thing to this on the Metro system might be the mall at L’Enfant Plaza, even though that’s above ground. Interestingly L’Enfant seems to be doing fine! 5:27 Also the medieval row looks so sad now. If you’ve seen photos of what it looked like before, it’s a world of difference! Thanks for making this video. I never filmed anything when I explored it, so thanks for documenting your spelunking of this odd piece of infrastructure!

[@DanHominem]

I think a good portion of it is that Crystal City is mostly offices these days. Theres alot of Amazon offices, banks, investment companies, war crime (PMC) companies, etc. Not 100% what the mix used to be back in the day, but talking to people born and raised, Crystal City used to be *very* different.

[@29downtheline]

@@DanHominem Good point! I’m sure it gets busier during rush hour!

[@davidaldinger113]

I hope there’s going to be some kind of revitalization to this place. Any place connected to public transit should be a very vital place to go.

[@maroon9273]

Especially every single underground city in the world.

[@nicholasmarshall9128]

My family and I stay in the Crystal City Marriot whenever we visit DC because of access to the DC metro through the mall. Its been dead for a long time but i hope the underground mall can be revived in the future

[@EllenMcMillin]

My husband worked for DOD in Crystal City in the 1980’s when the Underground was a modern marvel & thriving. 40 years later we are living in a condo across the street from the Underground. I agree it was terribly confusing to navigate the passage ways at first…but I have patronized the shops and retail in the past 3 years and will be sad to see it go. A very large Covid vaccine clinic utilized space there during the pandemic. Many people use some of the common areas to just sit or use their phones during the day. It was a refuge during the hot summer - JBG had created many outside seating areas including the Water Park…but DC summers prevent people using them in the heat of the day. We can just hope fabulous plans are in the works for a grand re-imagining that will make history again for the Underground

[@kamaltv6048]

Excellent video. It's sad to see the Underground in this state. It was a "third place" for many people, especially in the "Landing" area near Subway. I remember when I lived in the area in the mid 2010s, I would always stroll through and see people at the Landing playing RPGs across the tables. On the south end, there was Synthetic Theater classroom with wide open windows where one could watch rehearsals for the performances - there was even a small University of Oklahoma campus that had active classes, along with a tech shop co-working space. The shops were weird, for sure, but it gave a unique flavor to the area. Now it's all the same as every other development in the DMV - Tatte, Sweetgreen, Chipotle, Overpriced Restaurant - rinse, wash, repeat.

[@pizzajona]

I remember coming here for my first time in 2019. It was amazing. I’d come back once a year starting in 2021 but it was never the same. So many shops closed down. I went back last month to pay my respects and bought something from the Halloween store as a motion of gratitude. EDIT: Also the Halloween store cashier said they struck a deal to remain there until the end of the year, past October.

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Lived in DC for eight years, used the underground many times. Unfortunately it's not as spacious or inviting as the enclosed pathways/undergrounds in Minneapolis, Chicago, or Toronto. Its creepy when empty and a claustrophobic nightmare when it's full.

[@cds1848]

Arlington County should buy the underground and turn it into a public arts and education space. And a place where new small businesses can incubate at highly reduced below market rate lease.

[@HIDLad001]

Like the Dupont Underground?

[@Salmagundiii]

@@HIDLad001 HAHA! I was just about to reply with that!

[@JhonnyBoi]

My mom used to clean the apartment of someone who lived in one of the buildings on top of this mall. I had to be like 6 or 7 at the time and I went to work with my mom one time. My mom had to go to the supermarket, can’t remember which one it was Safeway or Giant. We took the elevator from the guys apartment down to the mall. As soon as the doors opened it was like entering a different world. I was beyond amazed and had always hoped when I grew up I could live there one day. It’s sad to see this place go. Wish more places in our area adapted underground places like this. That’s a true work play live type of environment.

[@myself248]

I have similar memories of a family trip to Chicago and being mystified by the pedway.

[@scentnation6223]

I’m down here now. It’s bittersweet.

[@Gestrid]

Visited and stayed in the Crystal City Marriott three years in a row on an annual school trip several years back. Loved going into the Crystal City Mall in the mornings before my school trip obligations began and getting Starbucks and Dunkin with friends. Didn't know it had closed. Dang. :'(

[@alvindelgado196]

I just moved to Crystal City a year ago and am so sad to lose the shops - great places to wander when it was too cold to be outside :(

[@Snipedog1978]

I liked the underground there it was easy to get around crystal city during bad weather and it was quite nice when I stayed at some of the hotels and there direct access to it.

[@jacke_RS]

damn, I went to Washington DC once as a child and I just remember this was the closest station to our hotel, I remember getting something at that dunkin thinking this underground mall was cool as hell

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I have been visiting Arlington for years and years.....I never knew Crystal City had an underground mall. Hmm Arlington is a bike mecca....of the east coast.

[@nannerz1994]

I remember going here when we visited DC one vacation It was really cool I always loved quirky stuff like this.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

Aw, man. I always thought it would be cool to live in Crystal City. Being able to go grocery shopping and get whatever you needed without ever going outside sounded amazing. I remember visiting and staying at one of the nearby hotels on the other side of US 1 back in 2010, and going through the underground to get to the metro station. I got some good breakfast at one of the mom and pop places down there, but I could tell it had seen better days. By the way, I swear there was a pedestrian tunnel under US 1, but I can't find it on the map anywhere. Did it get filled in or something, or am I crazy?

[@jsbarto1]

I noted toward the end of the video a quick frame that showed women's clothing...that would be Crystal Boutique...a fantastic place to shop for ladies' professional, business casual, weekend wear, and cocktail/formal ensembles. Crystal Boutique has been in the same location in the Crystal Plaza Arcade since around 1980...the store is moving later this fall to another location in Crystal City due to the shutdown of the shops in the Crystal City Underground development.

[@JoeyO_202]

The underground is what brought me to Crystal City, enjoyed living there but sad to see it destroyed by JBG Smith. Pandemic was the excuse they needed to pull the plug. 😢 so much potential there if done right…

[@ijchua]

I used to visit Total Party at this place to get Halloween and other costume party stuff. A pity that it will no longer be here!

[@qjtvaddict]

Restore the shops WTF why was this allowed to get so dead

[@spentron1]

Strange the wiki article doesn't mention the Patent Office had extensive offices in almost every building until moving in 2004. I've wondered how that affected the place. It was rather flawed as a general mall but expect some shops will still serve the immediate population.

[@andrewweitzman4006]

Reminds me a bit of the RESO of Montreal. Although our "underground city" has much less natural light from above.

[@danielfreeman8725]

I deliver to that dunkin' and so far nobody told me anything about the store moving or closing it. So if it does it'll be open till the very last day. And I could very well show up at work at the beginning of November and just have no order for that store anymore, without anybody telling me anything lol. I'm sure people will miss being able to get a hot drink without having to go outside in the winter though.

[@CubeAtlantic]

idek, Crystal City was still a thing, but i heard of this mall.

[@pizzajona]

The Marriott entrance doesn’t require a key card (except maybe after a certain time at night). Maybe it was just broken or late out

[@ShadoeLandman]

I was there around 38 years ago, but didn’t really get to spend much time, so I don’t remember much.

[@scentnation6223]

I remember coming down here in the 90s there was so much life in this place at those times we always bumped into a famous person down there because of the hotels on top they used to have all the fast food chains, etc. there now it’s just a shell of itsself

[@Computerlegacy]

I loved those tunnels took them everyday to work.

[@ECDT1089-EtheLamborghini]

What a damn shame...

[@nannerz1994]

The tunnels being open and the shops shutting down as a woman I would not use those tunnels unless there were other people around to ensure my safety

[@DanHominem]

That is a big concern of mine. I definitely think those tunnels are about to become a lot less safe

[@jeff1989gordon]

My grandad owned a candle shop there.

[@chief1b]

WOW I didn't know this was here and I lived in College Park

[@xryphon]

i only know this from the game class of '09 😭

[@samuelbenn4572]

Unfortunately same, and I grew up near this area….

[@donlawson3330]

So sad that Synetic was forced to move.

[@cagedtigersteve]

The problem is there's nothing interesting down there.

[@DanHominem]

There's still a lot of craft shops and art galleries down there. But there's not nearly as much as there used to be.

[@badtzmaru-x3j]

i used to like the Potbelly there.

[@hatac]

The water and power of the shops are probably integrated into the power and water of both the station and the buildings above. As they are being replaced the shops would be cut off and would loose power, water, fire sprinklers. This is quite normal for shops when buildings above or rail infrastructure is renovated. Here in Australia we have just had a new metro added to Sydney. A lot of small shops were affected. They will be back in a few months. Not necessary at the same stations.

[@RainbowBoo42]

Anyone else know this from Class of 09

[@wheelsee]

Did you get your free Banana?

[@flickr4jazz]

I used to have to travel to this area before I retired. The people who lived around there and worked in the area were the worst. They thought they were so entitled.

[@jamzlynn6158]

All i see is trafficking 😔😩

[@ocsrc]

Crystal City is actually a large underground mall, and has access to almost every building. I used to work in D.C. and the mall is the public section. Below Crystal City mall is the utility tunnels and infrastructure. Below this, CCC or Crystal City 3, is a restricted area part of the COG plan to evacuate the city. M2 is off CCC and is a high speed rail system that exits the DC metro area The trains can reach speeds of 300 MPH When I saw the Matrix and the doors and tunnels I remembered back to an event that happened to me when I was working in DC I was in an underground vault, very common in big cities, and we were working on our company Telco equipment. In these vaults many different companies and agencies will have their equipment. Some marked, some not A common sight was seeing signs on equipment saying NOT TELCO EQUIPMENT As we were talking about the issue, we heard a beep and turned around to see a rack with many cables and lights and one of the lights went from green to red, which was not a normal thing to see. And the entire rack and the concrete wall behind it swung open. Looking in the opening we saw this long tunnel with lights in the ceiling and cables spanning both walls and this guy in the black suit with the sunglasses and the earpiece walked out and push the rack and it closed and locked and the guy walked up the concrete steps to the street level like it was completely normal. And the two of us looked at each other and I said " F$#&ing DC " The number of tunnels under DC are mind-blowing During the Obama presidency they actually had most of the city closed off and had built wooden frames over the streets so they could excavate and you wouldn't see what was going on and the entire front lawn of the White House was dug up and there was a mountain of dirt higher than the roof of the White House that no one talked about If you go back and look at reports from that time when reporters were standing at the White House you see this mountain of dirt behind them and no one asks anything about what's going on When I watch the movie Civil War I was disappointed because they didn't cover any of the tunnels or the COG and no one used any type of communications which was a glaring omission We received notices from the FCC a little over a month ago ordering us to shut down all of our public repeaters I don't know what the government is planning to do or what they are worried about but we had a system that connected the Northeast and 7 states, that anyone who wanted to purchase a gmrs radio and a license was free to use our networks and everyone was respectful and ID themselves and we did not have any problems But the federal government specifically told the FCC to send notices to all public add private Radio networks and ordered them all shut down That's really terrifying Because the government has absolute control over the internet and social media and the mainstream media and the analog gmrs radios and repeaters were open networks that anyone could use and the government didn't have any control over people using them or what they talked about on them And it is very reminiscent of what Nazi Germany did The government wants no communication between the people

[@mixedbykm5940]

Calling this a thriving up and coming neighborhood is so short sided and classic gentrifier rhetoric

[@noodles7193]

I used to live right on top of the underground when I was a kid. It always felt like a fun maze and I eventually figured out how to get to the metro station by walking from past the theatre to the McDonald’s and the rite aid, if I hit the cold stone I went too far. This underground will be missed 🫡