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A few weeks ago, @RichmondSprite asked on Twitter, "Can anyone tell me what goes on in the big windowless bldg on the NW corner of Broad & Allen? My #rva mystery..."

You know the one she’s talking about—the low-slung, windowless behemoth on the northwest corner of Allen and West Broad streets, with the light colored facade and cool metal overhang.

Just east of Meadow Street and across Allen from Lowe’s, the building seems vacant and foreboding, often providing shelter beneath its metal eave for pedestrians caught in the rain or wanting to take a nap. Its former windows are covered with tiles, and behind it lies chain-link fencing, loading docks and pallets.

You sort of want it to be something, though. The little strip of retail across Broad Street is not exactly Carytown, but there’s life on that section of West Broad, with The Republic and Empress to the west and The Camel and VCU just down the street. This block is shuttered and quiet. What gives?