“al Fresco. al Frisky. they’re both on the menu in Adams Morgan.”

Like the campaign?

Back in Feb. we noted that Viet Thai and Sutra (formerly Felix) had closed at 2406 18th St, NW. Thanks to a reader for sending word about the new signage that has just gone up. Well, uh, more info as it becomes available…

Today, Tuesday, May 21st, twelve Adams Morgan restaurants will serve savory and sweet tastes during a culinary neighborhood tour called Taste of Adams Morgan. All proceeds of the event will be donated to Mary’s Center, a community health center founded and headquartered in Adams Morgan.

Taste destinations include: Meskerem, Mellow Mushroom, Rumba Café, La Fourchette, Madam’s Organ, Bardia’s New Orleans Café, Bossa Bistro, Chief Ike’s, Madam’s Organ, El Tamarindo, Millie & Al’s, Town Tavern, Pi Pizzeria.

“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to support Mary’s Center in its twenty-fifth year of operation,” said Sefika Kurt, proprietor of A Little Shop of Flowers. “Mary’s Center precedes nearly all of the restaurants participating in this event. It is an anchor in this community, and we’re grateful for the high-caliber services it offers.”

To participate in Taste of Adams Morgan, purchase four ($20) or seven ($30) taste tickets today at A Little Shop of Flowers (2421 18th Street), Toro Mata (2410 18th Street), or Wise Owl Club (2010 18th Street). Those who already bought tickets online can pick them up at A Little Shop of Flowers between 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Each ticket may be redeemed for one pre-fix savory or sweet “taste” at participating restaurants.

The event will take place from 4:30-8:00pm.

Cajun Experience closed in mid-July 2012 at 1825 18th St, NW. In Aug. 2012 we noted the space was for lease. Now I’m hearing Jackie Greenbaum of Jackie’s in Silver Spring and El Chucho in Columbia Heights – is likely opening up a new restaurants here. Details are scarce but more info if/when it becomes available.

Dear PoPville,

Not sure if you were aware, but Lauriol Plaza has recently taken over a good chunk of 18th Street to use for their valet parking. There are temporary “no parking” signs up dated until 2014 in front of the restaurant, probably covering about 6-8 spots.

I think that is ridiculous.

Parking is tough enough in the neighborhood, this is only making it worse.

Ed. Note: On Friday a reader wrote about valet parking abuses in Chinatown.

That’s quite a loose interpretation of temporary…

From MPD:

Early this morning, at approximately 3:00 AM, 3 suspects in a gray or silver Dodge approached 2 citizens with a gun in the 2300 block of Ontario Rd. NW, and demanded their money. One of the citizens resisted the demands by the suspects and was shot in the upper back by one of the suspects. All 3 suspects then fled in their vehicle northbound on Ontario Rd. NW. Nothing was obtained during the robbery. The injured citizen was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, and is considered to be in fair condition. The second citizen was not injured. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Third District Detective’s office on 202-673-6915 or 202-727-9099.

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@IAFF36 tweeted:

“Shooting (230am) – unit blk S St NE – male shot in head, treated & transported to trauma center, life threatening”

Update from MPD:

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the Unit block of S Street, Northeast.

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 at approximately 3:20 am, units from the Fifth District responded to the sound of gunshots report in the Unit block of S Street, Northeast. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 21-year-old Dontel Price of Northeast, Washington, DC.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

Hipchickindc is a licensed real estate broker. She is the founder of 10 Square Team and is affiliated with Keller Williams Capital Properties. 10 Square Team is a popville.com advertiser. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 1842 California St NW #8B
Legal Subdivision: Kalorama
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Kalorama
Bedrooms: 1 Baths: 1
Condo fee: $171/month
Living Area Square Footage per Tax Record: 398
Original List Price for most recent listing: $299,000.
List Price at Contract: $299,000.
List Date: 3/2/2013
Days on Market: 46
Settled Sales Price: $290,000.
Seller Subsidy: $0
Settled Price per Square Foot: $729.
Settlement Date: 05/13/2013
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Original GDoN post is: here.
The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the link above and click on the camera icon to scroll through pics.

There are records of property listings for this condo building that go back as far as 1995 (the current multiple listing service has only been in existence since the mid-1990’s). Back in the day, nearly two decades ago, units in this building were pricing around $150. per square foot, which would put a unit this size at close to $60,000. Interest rates at that time were averaging around 7.85% for a 30year fixed, so a monthly PITI (principal, interest taxes, and insurance) payment (with 20% down) would have been around $276. (or, adjusted for inflation, about $421.00 in 2013 dollars)

At the current pricing, with 20% down and an interest rate more than 4 percentage points lower (Zillow’s mortgage calculator is currently quoting 3.48%), the monthly PITI would run approximately $1269. The listing reports that this unit has a monthly condo fee of $171.

At the pivotal height of the real estate bubble in 2005, this particular unit sold for $295,000. Interest rates at that time were averaging around 5.75%. At that rate, with 20% down, the monthly PITI would look more like $1632.

These numbers are approximate and are from online mortgage calculators. Taxes have been adjusted for the current DC property tax rate. Interest rates are subject to fluctuation and relate to the borrower’s overall credit picture. Different loan products (such as a lower down payment) may require additional costs, such as mortgage insurance. A good place to start if you’re thinking about buying is to have a conversation with a mortgage professional about options.

The listing agents were Edward Poutier and Stewart Coleman of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Fleur Howgill of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty represented the buyer.

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.

Back in early April a reader told us about Federal Restaurant and Lounge coming to the former Saki/District space from the owners of Floriana. Looks like they’ll be opening any day now:

Also down the street – Mediterranean Spot now has signage up at their second location coming to the former Carribou Coffee/Uptowner Cafe space at 2421 18th St, NW. They also are located at 15th and U St, NW.

2421 18th Street, NW

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.