4th and Penn streets NE courtesy EDENS
From a press release:
“Continuing its vision of creating places in Union Market District where community, design and culture come together in unexpected settings, today EDENS unveiled plans for Late Checkout and Nº 31. By next year, the corner of 4th and Penn streets NE will be transformed into a welcoming oasis in the heart of the city, where elevated hospitality offers many reasons to stay.
“Late Checkout is the kind of place everyone will want to be—whether you disappear into the garden for an afternoon, let a drink turn into dinner or bring an out-of-town guest to an experience that could only exist in Union Market District,” said Jodie W. McLean, CEO of EDENS. “And if you’re still not ready to leave, you can settle into one of our guest rooms. This is not simply a new place to stay; it’s an entirely new way to experience hospitality.”
The site’s potential first came into focus last year when EDENS debuted Union Market by Design: Room Service, inviting Washington to wander through motel rooms transformed by interior designers, artisans, fine artists and home and lifestyle brands. The two-week event revealed what 7,000 visitors saw firsthand: there is an appetite in DC for unexpected places to gather; an obsolete motel wanted a new life, and EDENS is now delivering it.
Your Arrival is Just the Beginning.
Late Checkout reimagines one of the most intriguing corners of Union Market District as an urban retreat that feels both secluded and connected. It is a place that is warm, playful and full of life, where you might arrive for an hour but linger all day or decide to stay longer. The neighborhood offers a ready-made itinerary, helping guests feel less like visitors and more part of the community.
Inspired by the golden age of Mediterranean Riviera travel, Nº 31 is conceived by David Nammour and Farid Azouri of Residents Hospitality Group as two spaces with one soul: an intimate cocktail bar opening onto a 6,000-square-foot outdoor patio. Beneath a covered pergola, a second open-air bar and dining tables flow into lounge seating, sunbeds and a tranquil water feature. A sophisticated yet approachable cocktail program and Mediterranean-inspired menu complete the experience, creating a relaxed retreat where everyone is welcome.
“What drew us to this partnership was the opportunity to blur the boundaries of more traditional hospitality experiences,” said David Nammour. “We loved the idea of creating a concept that felt surprising, where you might arrive for a drink but find yourself staying much longer. We want visitors to feel the care behind every detail, without seeming overly exclusive.”
As the lodging operator, Sojourn will bring its signature fresh approach to Late Checkout. Building on its roots in furnished stays, the women-owned DC-based company has evolved into a regional hospitality brand focused on delivering thoughtful stays defined by sensory richness, exceptional service and genuine human connections. Late Checkout is Sojourn’s next iteration of that vision: where thoughtful design combines with operational excellence to create a stay that is both deeply personal and inherently social.
“Our brand is grounded in providing guests with an elevated stay that allows them to seamlessly feel at home in a temporary space. This collaboration allows us to bring that approach to life in a more dynamic and immersive way,” added Dunniela Kaufman Levin, CEO of Sojourn. “We’re excited to be part of a team that shares our passion for creating welcoming environments that inspire and bring people together on their own terms.”
Slated to open in Spring 2027, Late Checkout features 30 private rooms with interiors expressed through four distinct design themes unified by one cohesive vision by Paul Baldwin Studios.
Project team:
EDENS, Sojourn Hospitality (Lodging Operator), Residents Hospitality Group (Bar and Restaurant Partner), Paul Baldwin Studio (Interior Design), ZDS Architecture (Architecture), Moody Graham (Landscape Design), Bohler Engineering (Civil Engineer), Ehlert Bryan (Structural Engineer).”
Flashback to November 1, 2023:
photo from the PoPville archives