Historic Capitol Hill Building May Become McDonald's After 2 Years of Vacancy

The former Rite Aid space could get a new life as a fast-food restaurant, though not everyone is excited about the prospect.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A historic building on Capitol Hill in Seattle that has sat vacant for the past two years may soon become a new McDonald's location. The space was previously home to a Rite Aid pharmacy and before that, a movie theater that operated for nearly 80 years. While some neighboring businesses are open to the idea, others have expressed concerns about the potential for increased crime and the impact on local establishments.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of this long-vacant building highlights the ongoing changes and challenges facing Capitol Hill, a neighborhood known for its independent businesses and community character. The arrival of a major fast-food chain like McDonald's could significantly alter the area's retail landscape and raise questions about the balance between corporate growth and preserving local identity.

The details

In February 2026, a permit-advising company filed an application with the City of Seattle to convert the 201 Broadway E. building into a McDonald's, with renovation costs estimated at $750,000. The space was previously occupied by a Rite Aid pharmacy, which closed in 2023 as the company filed for bankruptcy. Before that, the building housed a movie theater that operated for nearly 80 years. While some neighboring businesses, like a nearby food truck owner, are open to the McDonald's move, others, such as the owner of Broadway Locksmith, have expressed concerns about the potential for increased crime and the impact on local establishments.

  • The building has sat vacant for the past two years since Rite Aid closed its location in December 2023.
  • The permit application to convert the space into a McDonald's was filed in February 2026.

The players

McDonald's

An American fast-food restaurant chain known for its burgers, fries, and other menu items.

Rite Aid

A former pharmacy chain that occupied the 201 Broadway E. building before closing its location in 2023 as the company filed for bankruptcy.

Nabil Abouelyamin

The owner of a nearby food truck who is open to the prospect of McDonald's moving into the vacant space.

Eric Hayes

The owner of Broadway Locksmith, who has expressed concerns about the potential for increased crime and the impact on local businesses if McDonald's moves in.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so happy about it. Many customers are going to walk through me to go to McDonald's. Maybe next time, they'll just go to me.”

— Nabil Abouelyamin, food truck owner (The Seattle Times)

“That's what I can feel it turning into. I'm not too keen on all these corporate fast food places.”

— Eric Hayes, owner of Broadway Locksmith (The Seattle Times)

What’s next

The City of Seattle will review the permit application and make a decision on whether to approve the conversion of the historic building into a McDonald's location.

The takeaway

The potential arrival of a McDonald's in this long-vacant Capitol Hill building highlights the ongoing tension between preserving the neighborhood's independent, community-oriented character and accommodating the growth of national corporate chains. The outcome of this decision will be closely watched as a barometer of Capitol Hill's evolving retail landscape.