Bar Dupont is located at 1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW in the former location of Biddy Mulligan’s. It’s been almost a year since Biddy Mulligan’s closed so I thought it was about time to judge Bar Dupont. How’s the atmosphere? Better or worse than than Biddy’s? Do they serve food as well? It looks pretty swank – how are the prices? Overall – thumbs up or down?
This is the sixth installment, by hipchickindc, in a slowly moving saga of a full house renovation aka “The Adventures of Mark and Charles”. Previous posts can be found by clicking: Episode 1 and Episode 2 and Episode 3 and Episode 4 and Episode 5.
One Saturday, while I was out showing property, I got a message from Mark alerting me to the installation of the grand staircase. This was a happy call. It had always disturbed me that the prior owner had stripped the home of the grand curving staircase. The only evidence of its former presence was the semi-circular opening when the top would have been and the scar-like zig zag in the plaster on the west wall. Luckily, the narrow rear stairs from the kitchen had been left intact, which allowed access to the upper floors.A few episodes back, I wrote about going staircase shopping with Mark and Charles. The space was worthy of a custom-designed and fabricated structure. Mark and Charles knew that it would be the focal point of their living area and approached this detail as both a functional and sculptural entity. On the day of installation, large pieces of steel arrived on a truck, waiting to be assembled by a crew of metal workers.
After over a year of planning and construction, Mark and Charles are finally close to the end of their renovation journey. I’ve pulled together a set of photos from the beginning as well as the ones from the day the staircase was installed. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to chronicle the process. I promise I’ll come back with pics once they’ve gotten it furnished.
Here are photos from the beginning.
Recent photos are here.
I’ve received a number of emails about this incident. What will follow is a piecing together of various emails. For those expecting a Washington Post type report, please skip this post. Thanks.
I hear around 11pm at the corner of 11th and Park a Latino worker from a nearby establishment was waiting for the bus and was accosted by two men demanding money. I’m told he had either very little money or tried to fight off the assailants. I’m told the assailants shot the victim in the leg and that he is in the hospital and awaiting surgery or recovering. However another resident said they heard the shots (readers report hearing 2) closer to 1:45am and 5 police cars and an ambulance responded pretty quickly. Another reader reports that there is speculation that the man was specifically targeted because he was Latino. I’m told that many Latinos are targeted for robbery in Columbia Heights because the perpetrators may believe that they are carrying cash and due to immigration issues the victims may be less likely to contact the police.
If this is indeed the case, how do you think it can/should be remedied. Should there be some sort of amnesty for victims reporting crimes? Do you think there should be more police patrols along 11th and 14th Streets, NW around the time bars and restaurants close?
Saw this odd scene on E Street near the Hard Rock Cafe. Your captions in the comments winner announced Friday. (Shirts coming in November.)
I can’t remember if I’ve posted this before, I don’t think I have, but they always stop me in my track when I pass them (around 1000 of S St, NW or near there). They are on the top of two rowhouses and look like solar panels except there doesn’t seem to be any cells on them. Is it just to provide shade?
City Blossoms are the same folks that sponsor the Girard Children’s Community Garden. The one on Marion Street is from the 1500 block.
This is definitely one of my new favorites. You think it’s new or original from back in the day?
I know not all ivy is good for houses but I hear there is one variety that doesn’t harm it so I’m gonna assume this it. I’m also digging the double flower boxes.
As far as new doors go, I’d say this is a pretty sweet one.
I told ya I found some nice painted ones this week. But looking at the house got me thinking about a Dear PoP that I’ve been meaning to post:
“Dear PoP,
In the end of 2008 I bought a house in the Park View neighborhood. My home was partially updated when I bought it and that included removing the wrought iron bars from the first floor windows and the door. I can see signs they had been there before. I’m getting tired of having to leave the windows closed for them to be locked, especially when I’m dying for a breeze. The constant opening/closing when I come and go is annoying. Additionally, I have my own dog and a rotating cadre of foster pups, and when I do have the windows open I’m sometimes nervous that a screen isn’t going to hold them back. (And, yes, snarky commenter in waiting, my dog is behaved but the nature of fostering can sometimes bring about unpredictable behavior). Is it ridiculous to want to put the bars back on my window (and door?)? Has anyone done this? Can anyone recommend someone? Is it going to be expensive as I’m thinking it is going to be?”
We discussed this issue a bit here but what do you guys think about this particular situation?