Back in May 2012 a car drove into the former Labamba Sub Shop at the corner of Georgia and Euclid St, NW. Thanks to a reader for sending word that the interior has been completely gutted. Hopefully something good is coming soon. Stay tuned.

From a press release:

MRP Realty and Ellis Development Group have teamed with Fundrise, a local, online platform that uses technology to create a new model for real estate investment centered on crowdsourcing, to offer the public the opportunity to invest in their next development, The Griffith, located at 965 Florida Ave, NW. The Griffith is a mixed-use development consisting of approximately 370,000 square feet, including 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail and residential units above. The Griffith title is in homage to the old Griffith Stadium that was located between Georgia Avenue and 5th Street from 1911 – 1965. The development parcel is currently being sold through the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor’s office, and MRP’s proposal has been selected to be in the best and final round.

Ground floor retail of the development will include Griffith Market, designed as an indoor farmers’ market that allows small and independent grocers, operators, and retail entrepreneurs to set up inside the building and serve the general public in a creative and affordable manner, thereby creating an urban village that is authentic to the culture of Shaw and LeDroit Park. It is intended to compliment, not diminish, the high end, large scale grocery store planned for the Howard Town Center. More importantly, Griffith Market is intended to provide food and retail options that serve the immediate neighborhoods of the community while also serving as a destination for residents throughout the City.

Ed. Note: In late April we looked at the Ellis and competing JBG proposals for 965 Florida Ave, NW. A winner has not yet been selected.

I’m curious what folks think about the proposed Griffith Market. Do you think it will work well in that location? Do you think it can serve the public in an “affordable manner”? Would you invest in something like that?

Back in Feb. we noted demo had started at the old Ontario Theatre on the corner of 17th and Columbia Rd, NW. A lot of readers have written in asking if the project has stalled. Yesterday I was told by their PR team:

“Vertical construction is set to begin in the fall, with expected completion in spring 2015.”

They also provided the rendering above which is slightly different than the one we looked at in January. Their full press release says:

The project will include 80 residential homes and 9,000 SF of retail. This is the first residential development for the Peterson Companies in the District of Columbia. “We believe in the economic vitality of the District of Columbia and are excited about investing our resources to create a beautifully designed residential and retail community in the Adams Morgan neighborhood,” said Stuart Prince, Senior Vice President – Residential at Peterson Companies.

The $30 million mixed-use project will commence vertical construction in the fall of 2013 with completion scheduled for spring 2015. Condominium homes will be available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, and will include gourmet kitchens, private balconies, hardwood floors, underground parking, and walk-in closets. Residents will enjoy access to a common rooftop terrace with stunning views of downtown Washington and the National Mall.

The building is being designed by The Eisen Group of Washington, DC, and draws inspiration from Adams Morgan’s rich architectural history of art deco residential blocks, while distinguishing itself with contemporary features that speak to newer, industrial-styled buildings. The proposed design will also incorporate certain art deco elements from the old Ontario Theatre, including a corner canopy, poster cases, and the “coming attractions” marquee signs.

McWilliams Ballard will manage residential sales with homes available for purchase in early 2014. Peterson Companies will handle the retail leasing and management.

Eden condos will have:

“18 units total there are 11 two-bedrooms, 7 one-bedrooms, private parking spots, outdoor spaces and well insulated Windsor Pinnacle Clad windows to deafen city noise.”

You can see their floorplans here.

Rendering courtesy of Eden

Full press release after the jump.

Delivering July 2013, D.B. Lee Development and Stages Premier, REALTORS of Washington proudly present EDEN, a high-end, brand new luxury condominium building in the heart of Adams Morgan. Just steps away from all D.C. has to offer, these contemporary condominiums are open to the public for sale beginning May 16, 2013. Well situated at 2360 Champlain Street NW, half a block from the charming 18th Street corridor, this residential building is truly a unique urban oasis. With 18 units total there are 11 two-bedrooms, 7 one-bedrooms, private parking spots, outdoor spaces and well insulated Windsor Pinnacle Clad windows to deafen city noise. EDEN offers luxury to all its residents with fine design and quality construction on every level.

EDEN’s design is the latest collaboration between D.B. Lee Development, Bonstra Haresign Architects and Capital Design Group. Capital Design Group is the premier Washington, DC-based design-build construction firm committed to creating modern inspirational living spaces for its clients. Past projects, all in Adams Morgan, include: The Kalorama at 1882 Columbia Road, 2424 18th Street Lofts, and The Erie at 2351 Champlain Street, directly across the street from EDEN. The dramatic lines of the front facade entice you to explore the interior spaces which have been “designed with privacy, and openness to the outdoors with a carefully landscaped courtyard and well appointed roof top terraces.” Open spaces include courtyards, balconies and a communal green roof top deck.

Like Bonstra Haresign and D.B. Lee Development’s other projects, EDEN is a pioneering example of urban architecture that continues to further enhance the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Defined as “living architecture” with sleek and modern core design, D.B. Lee Development has built its latest addition to the ever growing cosmopolitan, diverse, eclectic neighborhood of Adams Morgan. In addition to its flexibility in floor plans, its location, courtyard, and roof top terraces, EDEN has many unique design elements: direct views of the U.S. Capitol dome, being uniquely situated on the anterior fulcrum of Champlain Street’s platted bend, multiple protruding building front balconies with sweeping vistas extending from Columbia Road to Florida Avenue, and great attention to rising exterior wall details that converge to enhance the Adams Morgan skyline. Those that well labor at D.B. Lee Development pride themselves on the positive impacts that their projects contribute in their communities. EDEN is no exception.

In addition to its sleek architectural design, EDEN is truly defined in its urban setting by its unprecedented lavishly appointed landscape designs. Longtime Washington land owner and project partner, Carlos Lumpuy, and New York City landscape consultant, Aaron Jay Fossett, who formally studied with Wolfgang Oehme of Oehme Van Sweden Landscape Architects, created EDEN with lush organic landscaping elements. D.B. Lee Development then realized this vision and says that EDEN’s living spaces have been “designed and built around landscaping, where outdoor spaces are the nascent creative force and priority in modern urban development.” The organic design truly translates into creating an urban escape from metropolitan life for its’ future residents.

A reader writes:

“Looks like Central Union’s plans to vacate their R St. building are being executed in earnest today. Just spotted two moving trucks and a vending machine operator in full swing hauling things out.”

14th and R Street, NW

For those who don’t recall here’s a rendering for how the property will be delivered in 2014:

From emails:

Height Master Plan Phase 1 Public Meetings

The first round of public meetings will help inform development of a Height Master Plan for Washington, DC. The study is jointly conducted by the National Capital Planning Commission and the District of Columbia Office of Planning. The project will explore the impact of strategic changes to the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910.

Monday, May 13
Petworth Library
6:30 – 8:30 PM
4200 Kansas Ave, NW
Metro: Georgia Ave-Petworth

965 Florida Ave, NW

Corey Lee, project manager for the DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Office, will explain the community review process for disposition of the public parcel at 965 Florida Avenue NW.

He will speak at the Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force meeting on Monday, May 13, at 7 PM, at 2632 Georgia Avenue NW (corner of Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street).

Two development teams – JBG/Gragg and Ellis Development – have placed sealed bids for the 1.45 acre parcel.

“Dear PoPville,

On Saturday there was some sort of water main issue resulting in DC’s largest outdoor swimming pool… They are slowly pumping water out but you can see 4 excavators under water.”

7am Monday

From a press release:

Reconstruction of First Street, NE, could start as soon as next week, and the project will dramatically impact transportation throughout the NoMa neighborhood. Traffic on First Street, NoMa’s main street, is expected to be one lane, one-way southbound for nearly a year – the entirety of the construction period. The District Department of Transportation and the NoMa BID recommend that NoMa residents, employees and visitors take other forms of transportation such as Metro, Bikeshare or buses.

DDOT contractors will begin moving equipment into the area this week and next. DDOT is working with several firms, including engineering firm Amann-Whitney and the construction firm Lane Construction. The contractors and DDOT will have on-site offices located near the intersection of First and O Streets, NE.

“First Street will be fabulous when the project is completed, and we are excited about the great new green spaces and cycling amenities that are included,” said NoMa BID President Robin-Eve Jasper. “However, we know that getting around the neighborhood will be a challenge during the construction period and we are asking everyone to be their most patient selves for a little while.”

DDOT will soon offer a website that provides updates and a subscription to a listserv for daily notices. NoMa BID staff will promote this web site when it is available, and will also give regular project updates on our bimonthly newsletter (sign up at www.nomabid.org) and on Facebook and Twitter.

Project Scope: The project will rebuild the entirety of First Street, NE and its sidewalks from Columbus Circle to New York Avenue, including significant improvements to the side streets of K, L, Pierce, M, Patterson, and N Streets, NE. First Street between K Street and New York Avenue will be one-way southbound only during the entire period of construction. All northbound traffic will be detoured to North Capitol Street. After construction is finished, First Street will be returned to two-way traffic with an added two-way cycle track along the east side of the street and on-street parking along the west side.

The reconstruction will upgrade underground infrastructure, add stormwater catch basins, install bio-retention stormwater swales, realign sidewalks, enlarge tree boxes, add new crosswalks, install new traffic lights and street lamps, and landscape the public space adjacent to unfinished parcels. Construction is anticipated to last nearly one year.

Map via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Thanks to @OhBootsy for sending.

L’Enfant Plaza is located south of Independence Avenue SW between 12th and 9th Street, SW.

From a press release:

Joint venture partners Federal Capital Partners® (FCP) and Self Storage Zone have announced the groundbreaking for the redevelopment of 645 Taylor Street, NE (formerly the Capital Area Food Bank) into a three story, 78,600 square foot, fully climate-controlled, self-storage facility. The redeveloped property will include 1,034 units ranging in size from 5’ x 5’ lockers to 10’ x 30’ units and is well-located in the Brookland submarket of Washington, DC, one block from Catholic University and six blocks from the Brookland/CUA Metro station. The facility is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2014.

Ed. Note: The Capitol Area Food Bank moved to 4900 Puerto Rico Ave., NE in July, 2012. “The new facility is over twice the size of the former warehouse on Taylor Street, NE.”