La Esquina

PROJECT OVERVIEW

A corner coffee shop and bar in Mount Pleasant, Washington, DC for Latinx people to connect & experience community through music, dance, and activism. The space aims to translate an intimate and lively essence.

SPECIFICATIONS

CONCEPT

Corner

Between the 1970's-1990's, many Latinx people found themselves immigrating to Washington, DC from their home countries in search of a better life for their family. Some came to escape political instability, while others came searching for economic opportunities that would allow them to feed their loved ones.

Mt. Pleasant became “a home away from home” for many people, more specifically, a corner or “esquina” where people from different Latinx countries could come together to foster a new community. This idea of an “esquina” transformed into people gathering to play and socialize at each corner of Mt. Pleasant Street. To honor the legacy of the Latinx presence in Mt. Pleasant, as well as the tradition of gathering at the very same corner where this site is located, this coffee shop and bar aims to celebrate the connection and community of Latinx people in Washington, DC.