Facility Overview
Joyce Parking at One Union Center Garage (810 First St NE) is a premier subterranean parking facility located at the crossroads of Washington, D.C.'s bustling NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood and the Capitol Hill business district. Serving the prominent One Union Center commercial complex and adjacent federal and corporate offices, this multi-level covered facility provides clean, sheltered, and secure self-parking. The garage features a modern subterranean design with clearly marked travel lanes, energy-efficient interior illumination, and dedicated pedestrian pathways. Drivers should take careful note of the vertical clearance: the facility has a strict maximum height restriction of 6 feet 0 inches (6'0"). As a result, it easily accommodates standard compact cars, sedans, crossovers, and low-profile compact SUVs, but is unsuitable for lifted pickup trucks, full-size extended SUVs, roof cargo carriers, high-profile commercial vans, and heavy-duty transport vehicles.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Strategically situated just two blocks north of Washington Union Station, this facility places motorists within direct reach of many of the District’s iconic civic landmarks, transit networks, and vibrant dining pockets:
- Washington Union Station & Amtrak Concourse: A quick 5-to-7-minute walk (0.3 miles), perfect for intercity rail commuters, regional riders, and visitors utilizing the retail and dining concourses.
- Smithsonian National Postal Museum: Located only 6 minutes away on foot (0.3 miles), offering world-class cultural exhibits.
- Capitol Hill & Senate Office Buildings: The Russell, Dirksen, and Hart Senate Office Buildings are reachable within an easy 12-to-15-minute walk (0.6 to 0.8 miles), with the U.S. Capitol Building and Capitol Visitor Center just beyond.
- Federal Regulatory Agencies: Positioned immediately adjacent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) headquarters and surrounding NoMa government offices.
- NoMa & Union Market Entertainment: Popular social and dining hubs such as Wunder Garten, Alethia Tanner Park, and the Union Market District are situated within a pleasant 10-to-15-minute stroll.
- Downtown & Capital One Arena: Situated roughly 1.2 miles away, accessible either by a direct 20-to-25-minute walk or a rapid two-stop hop on the Metro Red Line from Union Station.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The entrance to One Union Center Garage is located on the west side of First Street NE, situated conveniently between I Street NE and G Place NE. Navigating to the garage is exceptionally smooth from major arterial thoroughfares, including North Capitol Street, K Street NE, New York Avenue (US-50), and Massachusetts Avenue. For commuters arriving via highway networks, the location connects efficiently to Interstate 395 and Interstate 695, minimizing gridlock through central downtown corridors.
Pedestrian and multimodal public transit connectivity is unparalleled. Drivers can leave their vehicle in covered storage and connect instantly to the Washington Metro Red Line via the Union Station Metro station (0.3 miles south) or the NoMa-Gallaudet U station (0.5 miles north). MARC commuter rail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Amtrak Northeast Regional/Acela lines, and numerous WMATA Metrobus routes depart directly from the Union Station terminal transit center.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Covered Multi-Level Garage: Full weather protection shielding vehicles from seasonal rain, winter snow, and summer heat.
- Strict 6'0" Clearance: Enforced vertical limit optimized for passenger sedans and compact crossovers.
- Digital & Touchless Access: Fully integrated with digital reservation apps, including SpotHero, ParkMobile, and ParkWhiz, supporting contact-free mobile barcode scanning and license plate recognition entry.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Designated stalls equipped with EV charging stations for plugin hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
- ADA Accessible Parking: Prominently designated accessible parking spaces located adjacent to elevators and primary pedestrian egress doors.
- Professional Management & Security: Maintained by Joyce Parking with regular oversight, active surveillance, bright LED lighting, and security patrols.
Ideal For
- Union Station Train Travelers: Amtrak, MARC, and VRE passengers who desire covered, walkable parking near the rail station.
- Government & Corporate Commuters: Professionals conducting business at FERC, SEC, Capitol Hill offices, or nearby NoMa administrative complexes.
- Tourists & Mall Visitors: Families and sightseers visiting the National Mall, Smithsonian Postal Museum, and U.S. Capitol grounds.
- Event & Arena Attendees: Sports fans and concertgoers headed to Capital One Arena seeking to bypass downtown congestion via a quick Red Line Metro transfer.
- NoMa Dining & Nightlife Guests: Patrons visiting local beer gardens, neighborhood restaurants, and cultural gatherings along the First Street and K Street corridors.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Keep these useful tips in mind before your journey to ensure a frictionless parking experience:
- Measure Your Vehicle Height: The 6'0" clearance barrier is strictly enforced. If your vehicle has a roof rack, bike carrier, cargo box, or suspension lift, check total height carefully to prevent damage or denied entry.
- Pre-Book During Peak Periods: Commuter traffic on Tuesdays through Thursdays and peak rail travel days around holidays can lead to high occupancy. Reserving a spot in advance via SpotHero or ParkMobile guarantees your space.
- Align Your License Plate: If entering with a digital reservation pass, double-check that the vehicle license plate registered on your app profile accurately matches the car you are driving to avoid citations.
- Note Operating Hours: While overnight parking is allowed for pre-booked multi-day stays, vehicles can only be picked up or dropped off during open garage access hours. Confirm your entry and exit windows before arrival.