This article made me sad (except for the part about him wearing thrift stores clothes, which I am doing right now-not underwear, though). When did Melarkey's close? Does anyone have any ideas how many businesses have been in that spot and is it open now or totally closed? I can never understand why no club can stay open there because when I worked at Tower skanks would wobble over there all the time thinking it was the club.
This article also made me sad, mostly when I read about the Z Gallerie. The reporter mentions in the end that with the softening of the housing market the housing deal will probably take an eternity to work out. Does anyone have any info on how all the luxury lofts are renting or selling? I have a feeling by the time the twin towers and the Liebeskind condos are done that they are not going to have anyone to sell them to, but maybe I'm wrong.
Melarkey's closed a while back--I used to go there pretty regularly when "Club Cthulhu" was still held, but that was about a decade ago. There have been other things in the spot (including a one-shot Club Gnaw reunion a year or two ago) but it ceased to exist as Melarkey's a while back.
ReplyDeleteThe most annoying part of all this downtown land clearance is that they are still planning demolition for other buildings--the quarter-block at 8th and L, east of the Berry Hotel (815 L Street, etcetera) is slated for demolition and replacement by High-End UrbanLoftLiving (TM). Of course, this required closure of the Bel-Vue Apartments, which were comparatively low-income housing but not considered part of the SRO stock (and thus not protected by the SRO preservation ordinance.)
The word on the lofts, last I heard, was that many are selling well. There is particular demand for the "penthouse" lofts in all of these new buildings. The ones on 18th and K -- sold out. The big exception has been the building on 9th and J, which has had real trouble. Because the lofts on 16th and J are in a historical building they can only be rented, though I'm not sure about the new ones over the new Bistro 33. There was a business journal article on this stuff a few weeks back.
ReplyDeleteBut there are tons of new ones coming online. Apparently that hole in the ground on K and 19th is going to be a 7 story loft building!!
It's like South of Market all over again.
that's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulation to bill and karen! i guess he finally picked the lock to her heart.
ReplyDeleteThey should hold the reception at Club Cthulhu.
ReplyDelete-- Patrone
I live nextdoor to Pat Melarky and he is a real sweetheart. Even when my cats tore up his bulbs and planted land mines he was pretty zen about it. And he's got stories...
ReplyDeleteJed
The first time I ever had ketchup was at Melarkey's. My dad is an old friend of his and we used to rent our house from his girlfriend. So in the 70's before Melarkey's was Melarkey's, it was Maurice's All American Club, which my dad was a part of owner of, along with some other friends. They were doomed from the start, serving Jack Daniels as the well whiskey in old fashion tumbler glasses that were gone in the first week. It was a politico coke hang out apparently.
ReplyDeleteI also remember sneaking into shows there when it was still Melarkey's. I think it was where I saw Pounded Clown for the first time, which is a memory not to be forgotten. I love that Oasis played there to no one. It seems like it should be the best location for a venue, but in reality no venue can compete with Broadway cops and Land Park home owners.
Brew
Wow, congratulations to Bill and Karen! It is the will of Landru.
ReplyDeletePS Karen, on your honeymoon, just close your eyes and think of God and Country.
President,
Sacramento Appreciation Society of San Francisco