Cult Chain Blue Bottle Coffee Is Headed Downtown

Artistic renderings of the Blue Bottle Coffee coming this fall to financial giant Fannie Mae’s new headquarters depict a glass-wrapped cafe that looks out of this world.

The Oakland-based cult coffee company is expected to open its sixth area location at downtown’s 14-story Midtown Center building, currently rising at 1150 15th Street NW. Masseria founder Nicholas Stefanelli is opening a new Greek restaurant on the same site.

D.C. recently got another space age-looking coffee shop with the addition of an ultra modern Dolcezza inside the Hirshhorn.

Three Blue Bottle locations are slated to open at various times this summer: in Union Station, Logan Circle, and the newly renovated Wharf, the company tells Eater. While all maintain the brand’s iconic minimalist design, each sports a unique look to reflect its location; aides say the new Wharf spot will feature tons of natural light, while Union Station’s locale integrates wood paneling. That smaller shop is currently taking shape next to macaron giant Ladurée. Eater has confirmed cupcake maker Magnolia Bakery is also arriving in Union Station this summer as well.

Blue Bottle’s first area cafe opened in Georgetown in July 2017. The second arrived last month near Union Market. The exploding brand, founded in 2002 and recently acquired by Nestle, currently has outposts in eight cities in the U.S. and Japan.

Scroll down for a peek inside each incoming Blue Bottle:

The Lawrence Group [official rendering]

Lincoln Lighthill Architect [official rendering]

The Lawrence Group [official rendering]

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson [official rendering]

• Blue Bottle Coffee’s New Union Market Cafe Opens March 4 [EDC]
• New Dolcezza Cafe Inside the Hirshhorn Is Ultra Modern [EDC]