Dear PoP – Can We Get an Update on the Brixton and the Independent Coming to Shaw

“Dear PoP,

I was just thinking I haven’t seen a follow-up on much needed coffee in my Florida and U neighborhood. Do you have any idea what came of the 715 Florida Ave place?”

and

“Hey PoP. Whats up with the Brixton?! I pass it every day and haven’t seen any activity there since they put up the fence.”

There have been a lot of recent inquiries and emails about these two projects. The Independent is a coffee lounge and bar coming to 715 Florida Ave, NW (just east of 9th and U St.). The exact description from the liquor license was:

“Coffee House, bar lounge, 199 seats and total occupancy of 235 on first floor and storage on first and basement. Summer Garden with 75 seats and a total occupancy of 90.”

I can tell you that these projects continues to move forward – I recently traded emails with the architect (it is the same architect for Brixton and Independent). However glancing at 715 Florida Ave, NW at this point it looks like only a Demolition permit has been issued for the Independent. I’m not sure what permits have been issued for the Brixton but I think work has been ongoing.

I believe that some of the ownership team are the same folks behind the Brixton and Blackbyrd opening soon next to Marvin (the Hilton brothers) not to mention Billy Simpson’s in Petworth. I’m told all of these projects continue to move forward. It seems that the strategy is to complete one project before moving on to the other. Clearly – Blackbyrd (14th and U St, NW next to Marvin) will be completed first. Following will be Brixton, the Independent and Billy Simpson’s. I don’t know in what order. But they’re all still coming! (Knock wood…)