The newly restored Takoma Theatre could become a medical center in the future, according to the Washington Business Journal. Rock Creek Property Group, which owns the theater, has proposed that it become a satellite clinic for the Children's National Medical Center. 

Rock Creek Property Group had its renovation plan for the theater approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board in 2016. According to the Business Journal, the theater now has a new second story and boasts 23,000 square feet of space.

Despite these improvements, the building — which was designed by architect John Zink in Classical Revival style — seems to be a challenge to lease out.

"Despite extended and wide-ranging marketing efforts the Applicant has conducted, it has been unable to identify and secure tenants that meet the neighborhood commercial designated use requirement due to the confluence of the unusual size of the Property, its location, and the historic nature of the building," the Washington Business Journal quoted from the application. 

Children’s National would be the anchor tenant, and as such would have 40 exam rooms for services in behavior medicine, autism, hearing and speech, and developmental medicine, the Washington Business Journal noted. The space will also have 863 square feet of ground-floor retail. 

At the moment, the proposal will need a special exception from BZA, as designated use for the theater’s zoning does not include medical use, the Business Journal noted.