Once a showroom of sleek new cars, Al’s Motors Building now shows off buff bodies.  Designed by J. Raymond Mims and constructed in 1948, Al’s Motors was owned and operated by Al and Bertha Wasserman, and served as an automotive dealership and service garage for more than three decades.  As one of the few surviving examples of the Streamline Moderne Style in Northern Virginia, the building’s historic architecture attracted the owners of Gold’s Gym.  They purchased the property in August 2001 and began construction in August, investing $2.4 million in the Arlington County property.

Although many changes were made, such as the replacement of a 1968 masonry addition, the dealership’s showroom retains its curtain glass wall and the original starburst-patterned terrazzo floors.  Today the main showroom houses Gold’s flagship workout facility, while garages and the southwest addition serve as corporate headquarters.  Steven Parnell, developer of the property, is excited about the outcome of his investment.  “It has added to that urban environment and been such a great use of property in the neighborhood.  It’s a great hangout and meeting place,” said Parnell.   In addition to helping revitalize this downtown area, the opening of the workout facility also created more than 70 new jobs.