The 71,000-square-foot (6,600 m2) retail complex was hailed as "part of a very important renaissance of downtown Washington."

[4][5] Melart Jewelers and Sight and Sound Electronics were part of the first phase located in the JW Marriott lobby.

It included August Max, Record Town, and Brooks Fashions among the original tenants.

The complex featured a 15-story atrium for the refurbished National Press Building and 450 spaces of underground parking.

At the opening ceremony Mayor Marion Barry proclaimed "Downtown is coming alive .