Old Town North’s Montgomery Center Blossoms from Mid-century Mecca to the “coolest block in town.”

Photo courtesy of Bruce Machanic

Excerpted from an article by Margaret Townsend published in the March 2021 The Zebra magazine.

Originally developed as warehouse space built in phases starting in the early 1950s, additional second-floor office buildings were added in the early 1970s. During the Cold War, The Montgomery Center was home to Teledyne Geotech, a company tasked with monitoring seismic activity of Soviet nuclear testing worldwide. In fact, that data was stored on tapes right here in Old Town North. You might be more familiar with the division of Teledyne Geotech that makes “water-piks,” the popular water-based flossing system.

A cornerstone of Old Town North is the Montgomery Center, affectionately known as the “coolest block in town,” by its tenants and patrons. The building encompasses the entire square block between North Fairfax, North Royal, Madison, and Montgomery streets.

it is home to beloved River’s Edge Yoga, Wheel Nuts Bike Shop, Extra Perks Coffee Shop and Café, and more! (Laura Hatcher Photography)

Laura Hatcher Photography Who knew this used to be a car wash?

The Montgomery Center had other unique tenants, as well. Have you ever noticed the funky, wide-open, pushed-back entrance to the Art League School Madison Annex, on North Fairfax street, the one that is about the size of a car? Fun fact: It used to be a car wash.