An "urban mall" for local businesses is coming to H Street
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Nesso Plaza plans to bring an indoor/outdoor "urban mall" to H Street. Rendering: Courtesy Nesso Plaza
Nesso Plaza, a sprawling indoor-outdoor marketplace for local food and retail, is set to open on H Street Northeast next year.
Why it matters: The "urban mall" aims to boost small, independent businesses and create a vibrant community hub — all while bucking the food hall trend.
Driving the news: Nesso's developers have snapped up seven buildings and an alley on the 1300 block of H Street — including the former Biergarten Haus and Brine spaces. They liken the outdoor space to Shaw's Blagden Alley.
- The site will be divided into 20 units with below-market rents, short-term leases and smaller spaces for local operators to launch and thrive.
- The project is led by Moe Pishvaeian and Jonathan Askarinam, part of an Adams Morgan hospitality family (Spaghetti Garden, Johnny Pistolas).
The vision: Something like NYC's Chelsea Market, with a mix of sit-down restaurants, bakeries, food stalls, coffee, retail and services (think fitness or dog grooming).
- Expect shared seating areas and patios, plus a massive roof deck for events and space for a family-friendly beer garden.
What they're saying: "We didn't want another food hall," Askarinam tells Axios. "We're thinking more altruistically — a place where mom-and-pop operators can make their numbers work."
What's next: Several vendors are already in, including a coffee roastery, bakery and a chef from a major restaurant group opening a French bistro.
- The team is planning more "urban malls" across the DMV, with a second location already in the works in Northwest D.C.
Meanwhile, look for pop-ups at the H Street site, including a fall market this weekend hosted by DC Bound Vintage with 40+ vendors.