"It's a '57 Chevy." That's Douglas Jemal's
take on the Avalon Theatre. And for anyone who appreciates
classic automobiles, it is one of the best compliments
a theater could receive.
Usually dressed casually in jeans and a comfortable
shirt, Douglas is unpretentious and easy to talk to.
You might not realize that he is one of the most influential
and important real-estate developers in the D.C. area.
Douglas is president and sole owner of Douglas Development
Corporation, which has been the driving force behind
many high-profile real-estate projects. These projects
include the redevelopment of 7th Street directly across
from the MCI Arena, and Jemal's. Park & Shop at
Connecticut and Porter Streets, NW. More recently, his
purchase of the former Woodward & Lothrop building
created a buzz in the real-estate market. With more
than 7 million square feet of rentable commercial space,
Douglas's company is one of the area's leading developers.
However, Douglas is not the average real-estate developer.
He came to Washington, D.C., in 1966 from Brooklyn,
and began his career in the retail trade with a small
store on 7th Street, NW. He soon branched into the electronics
and record business, then into real estate in the early
1980s, purchasing his first parcel at 425 7th Street,
NW in 1981. Since then, he has focused on purchasing
and developing distinctive commercial properties in
urban areas. Douglas is particularly noted for his unprecedented
success in preserving historic architecture while transforming
properties into viable and successful retail and office
sites. "I like the difficult projects," he
says, noting that new construction would be easier but
not as satisfying.
This preference for historic buildings is evident from
Douglas's dedication to the restoration and reopening
of the Avalon Theatre. When Douglas first looked at
the property of the abandoned Avalon, he didn't envision
a restored theatre; he pictured a business opportunity.
Soon enough, however, with the help of the Avalon Theatre
Project (ATP), he was convinced otherwise. "I would
say that I felt comfortable after the third meeting,"
Douglas says about his intial meetings with the members
of the ATP. To Douglas, the people involved in a real-estate
project are just as important as the building itself.
Douglas Development's commitment to the Avalon Theatre
in particular has been described as heroic. Douglas
wants the Avalon not only to maintain financial viability
but also to return to its former state of grace and
become an important community resource. To accomplish
these goals, Douglas subleases the Avalon to the ATP
at a reduced rate.
With all his responsibilities, Douglas doesn't have
much time to watch movies. But he knows a good movie
when he sees one. It's difficult to argue with a man
whose favorite movie is the Godfather. "It has
all of life's lessons," he says.
