With the stadium set to be built and a large part of the surrounding area ready to be redeveloped, we’re bound to see a host of changes in the coming months. Of the businesses that have thrived in an otherwise desolate and industrial section of town, Nation nightclub is the first to go.

Nation, located mere blocks from the Navy Yard Metrorail station, has come to be known both for its cavernous, spartan feel and the diversity of the acts and events they hosted. From regular concerts to Velvet Nation, a Saturday night gay dance party, and Alchemy, a Thursday night staple of diverse electronica, Nation attracted a loyal following. Not all is lost, though, according to a statement issued by Nation’s owners:

While Nation will disappear, the owners and promoters will not. The owners are actively scouting locations for a new club to help fill some of the void that will be felt by Nation closing. The promoters have been approached by other notable DC clubs hoping to host their parties.

While I never had a chance to attend Nation’s regular dance and electronica parties, my first ever D.C.-area concert was at the club. It was 2000, and I was a fresh-faced college junior in town for a summer internship. The Deftones came through, and I was lucky enough to catch them at Nation. I knew little of the city then, and trusting the few people I asked about the area of town where the club was located, I didn’t much think I would make it back home alive. I did, and on top of that, it was an amazing concert.

Nation will surely be missed. Does anyone else have memories of the club, good or bad?

Image above taken from the Nation website.