422 8th St. NW

422 8th St. NW is a Pepco power substation, taking up about half of the western side of the block between D and E St. The building is fronted by a series of partial facades that are from three buildings demolished during the redevelopment of Pennsylvania Avenue in the 1970’s and 1980’s (including Bassin’s Restaurant and Krupsaw’s Antiques). The facades look odd both because they have been flattened, and they only cover the second and third floors. In the windows of the facades, and on the entire first floor facade, the building is covered with white concrete that has black lines and circles looking like a graphic interpretation of a facade. There are extensive rust stains and peeling on parts of the concrete.