Unfortunate, but amicable How Capitol Hills Machiavelli block is becoming the Voodoo Doughnut block

Ristorante Machiavelli closed its doors after 35 years as the Prado Group prepares to open a Voodoo Doughnut location on Capitol Hill. The real estate firm acquired the property for $5 million in 2022, initiating a near full-block transformation that also affects neighboring businesses like Pho 4 U and Lan Hand-Pulled Noodles. A Prado representative described the situation as “unfortunate, but amicable,” highlighting delays in lease negotiations. Machiavelli's owner expressed that difficult business conditions made a new lease untenable, leading to its closure. Both Pho 4 U and Lan Hand-Pulled Noodles are also preparing to vacate their spaces, as they operate on month-to-month leases without long-term agreements.

Renovations for the new Voodoo Doughnut will include a signature pink paint job and necessary repairs to the historic building. This redevelopment follows a significant real estate transaction in 2019 when Regency Centers purchased the Melrose Market for $15. 5 million. Alongside Voodoo, new tenants like Wild Cherry Nightclub and Harry’s Good Times are set to join the block, signaling a shift in the area’s dining landscape.