Regardie's: The Rise and Fall of Washington's Business Publication
The landscape of Washington's business and real estate reporting was significantly shaped by the entrepreneurial efforts of William A. Regardie. What began as a modest research venture evolved into a prominent publication known for its irreverent tone and deep dives into the city's wealth and scandals.
The Early Years and Evolution
The journey began in 1973 when William A. Regardie and his wife, Renay Nadler, invested $5,000 to launch Housing Data Reports, a specialized real estate research publication. This foundation in data and property trends allowed them to expand their reach, leading to the publication of a New Homes Guide for house listings by 1975.
In 1979, the couple introduced a new publication titled Real Estate Washington. This venture underwent a significant transformation in 1980 when William Regardie partnered with Randy Bartow and Michael A. DeSimone. Together, they revamped the publication into Regardie's: The Business of Washington.
Defining Features and Peak Success
Regardie's became a staple of the local business community by blending professional data with provocative social commentary. The magazine was particularly famous for two recurring features: a list detailing the top 100 richest people in Washington and the "Capital Offenses" column, which specialized in reporting on the year's most notable scandals.
At the height of its popularity, the magazine's scale was impressive, with some issues reaching 300 pages. This growth was fueled primarily by advertising revenue, which sustained the publication's expansive content.
The Decline and Closure
By 1991, the publication began to face significant operational challenges. While it was printing 50,000 copies per issue, a vast majority—38,000 copies—were distributed for free. This imbalance, coupled with a decline in advertising revenue, forced the magazine to shrink its size to approximately 100 pages.
The financial strain led to a change in frequency in February 1991, as the magazine shifted from a monthly to a bi-monthly publication schedule. In a final attempt to save the business toward the end of 1991, William Regardie urged free subscribers to begin paying for the service, stating in his characteristic irreverent style, "If you want to keep Regardie's in business, either subscribe to Regardie's today, or I'm going to mothball this sucker."
Despite this plea, the effort to convert free readers into paying subscribers failed. Consequently, Regardie announced the closure of the magazine in December 1992.
Key Facts
- Founded: Started as Housing Data Reports in 1973 with a $5,000 investment.
- Key Figures: Founded by William A. Regardie and Renay Nadler; later partnered with Randy Bartow and Michael A. DeSimone.
- Famous Content: Known for the "Capital Offenses" scandal column and the list of Washington's 100 richest people.
- Peak Volume: Issues once reached up to 300 pages.
- Distribution: By 1991, 38,000 of the 50,000 copies per issue were distributed for free.
- Closure: Officially shut down in December 1992.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Launch of Housing Data Reports |
| 1975 | Publication of New Homes Guide |
| 1979 | Launch of Real Estate Washington |
| 1980 | Rebranded as Regardie's: The Business of Washington |
| 1991 | Shift to bi-monthly publication due to revenue drop |
| 1992 | Magazine shut down in December |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who started the publication that became Regardie's?
The venture was started by William A. Regardie and his wife, Renay Nadler, in 1973.
What were the most popular sections of Regardie's magazine?
The most popular features were the list of the top 100 richest people in Washington and the "Capital Offenses" column, which covered annual scandals.
Why did the magazine change from monthly to bi-monthly in 1991?
The change was caused by a drop in advertising revenue, which was the primary source of income for the magazine.
How many copies were distributed for free during its later years?
By 1991, out of 50,000 copies published per issue, 38,000 were distributed for free.
What led to the final closure of the magazine in 1992?
The magazine closed after an unsuccessful attempt to convince free subscribers to pay for subscriptions to keep the business viable.