Ed. Note: This is one of my favorite homes in Brookland… But this is exciting news!

Thanks to a reader for send this Post article – Abdo Sets Sights on Revival in Brookland:

“Abdo’s plan includes a public square and clock tower that would be similar to piazzas in Europe with cobblestones, cafes and restaurants; an arts walk that would provide artists’ work space; an arts building that would offer room for recitals and artists’ demonstrations; and a college main street that would be filled with eclectic mom-and-pop shops.”

Sounds awesome, yeah? Read the full story here.


This home is located at 816 Taylor Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“SIMPLY STUNNING!! A MUST SEE! COMPLETELY RESTORED and CUSTOMIZED home with four finished levels of living. * * OVER 4500 SQUARE FEET * * Beautiful BRICK/GRANITE/MARBLE/WIDE PLANK HARDWOODS surround you at every turn!! OPEN LIGHT BRIGHT CONTEMPORARY FEEL!! HUGE PRIVATE PARKING AREA. .. completely fenced yard. .large front/side porch and more!”

More info and photos found here.

The reader who sent in the listing was concerned that “a tile factory exploded all over its insides”. Other than some over ambitious tiling in the kitchen, I’d say it’s a pretty nice renovation. However, I think the asking price may be a few years a head of it’s time, though it is a very large house. This 5 bed/5.5 bath is going for $875,000. Any predictions? What do you think of the renovations?

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Photo from PoPville flickr user LGography

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. Anything good happen this week?

How many people have Monday off for Columbus Day?


In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. 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: 433 M St NW

Original List Price: $1,099,000.

List Price at Contract: $999,000.

List Date: 05/04/2009

Days on Market: 101 days (there is a withdrawn listing that was on for 33 days and then the most recent listing for 68 days. Typically, the total listing time will show under the tag DOM-Prop unless there has been a 90 day break between listings. For some reason, the time that the withdrawn listing was on the market did not register in the total).

Settled Sales Price: $965,000.

Settlement Date: 09/30/2009

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional with $315,000. down payment.

Original GDoN Post is: Here.

Virtual Tour is: Here.

Recent Listing is: Here.

The Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post for this property was published back when the property was offered for sale at over $1,000,000. It ended up settling for over $100,000. less than the original list price, but still well north of $900,000. The location and price made for some good heated GDoN discussion.

CABHF commented that “The 400 block of M is my favorite street in the whole city.” From an architectural perspective, this is also one of my favorite blocks. There are some truly lovely and unique properties and interesting history, as well. I recently brokered the acquisition of 444 M St NW, which is currently under construction and will soon re-emerge as M Street Flats.

Someone noted that “The property was bought for $80k (you read that right) back in ’02…”, which is not quite accurate. Tax records indicate what appears to be a transfer among owners, so more likely one owner bought out the other. In 1995, the property was purchased for $180,000.


Thanks to a friend of mine for sending the photos and thanks to all for sending emails about its arrival in Adams Morgan. The Cube was unveiled Thursday at 8pm and will be on display through Saturday. Does anyone know if it is promoting a particular HBO show or just HBO in general?


“Dear PoP,

I’ve seen workers installing the wires and transmitters for the new wireless services in the Columbia Heights and a few other stations the last month, but wondering if anyone has details on whether WMATA is still on target to get the 20 Metro stations in the press release below connected by Oct 16th as promised?

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4014

The reader sent in the photo above from the Crystal City Station. I was going to ask readers if they’ve noticed service in any stations yet, but being that the DC blogosphere can be very small world at times – DCist explored the same issue earlier on Thurs. They said they were able to get service at L’Enfant Plaza. Anyone else getting service at stations already?

I’ll be honest – I’m of the old school that sorta prefers the minimal times when I’m not connected. God help us when folks can use their cells on airplanes…

So what about you – do you even want cell phone service within the metro? I can appreciate being able to check email and the web but I’m kinda dreading dozens of phone conversations. Am I just being ornery or is cell service at metro stations and inevitably on the trains themselves a good thing?


Holy cow, there were so many great entries this week. I gotta agree with the consensus and select KR for the win:

“Today’s show has been brought to you by the letters L, S, and D”

Though I will give honorable mention to ShawRes for this one:

“It’s a load-bearing ernie.”

KR and ShawRes email me directly or pick up your t-shirts at the PoP 3 year anniversary party Nov. 5th.


Unbelievable. There was a big party at the Park Place Complex above the Petworth Metro Thursday evening. I just received the following email at 11:38 pm Thursday:

“I live on the west side of Park Place and about 15 minutes ago someone unloaded 6 shots right under the building, in the alley. I didn’t see it but certainly heard it. Three squad cars showed up a few minutes later and the cops are out looking for shell casings now (heard them talking). I didn’t hear any voices before the shots and no screaming or voices afterwards, and no sign of an ambulance, so I guess no one was hit. At least that’s what it looks like. Maybe someone just wanted to end the party with a bang – 6 of them.”

Very frustrating ending to a great evening. To preempt some, you know who you are, this party was open to all and was extremely diverse in all categories.


I’ve eagerly been anticipating the progress of 1359 U Street, NW. This is the spot from the folks behind Marvin to be called Patty Boom Boom. It will be a tavern that serves Jamaican patties and have DJs, live reggae bands and dancing. Here’s sorta what it looked like in May ’08 when we first heard about it. Now that the fencing is down it’s amazing how good it now looks.


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