Development

New York Times: “Washington’s Economic Boom, Financed by You”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of ’14th and U St, NW 1988′ by Michael Horsley

Ed. Note the photographer featured in the article, Michael Horsley, has an incredible archive of DC photos from back in the day.

Thanks to all who sent links for Washington’s Economic Boom, Financed by You:

Washington wasn’t always the place where young professionals plunked down $3,000 a month to announce their arrival. When Abdo founded his business, in 1996, the United States was enjoying around 4 percent economic growth, but in Washington, dysfunction and Mayor Marion Barry Jr. reigned. The city government was locked in a mismanagement-driven fiscal crisis: traffic lights were malfunctioning; garbage trucks stopped picking up trash; District residents were advised to boil their own water; President Clinton and Congress placed the city into federal receivership.

During our drive, Abdo narrated this revival with such intensity that he took a few wrong turns, despite the fact that downtown is just a grid dotted with traffic circles. Near the George Washington University campus, he pointed out a cheap hotel that he plans to turn into a pod hotel. Over by H Street, a neighborhood just a few years ago virtually untouched by gentrification, he pointed out a former convent that he converted into apartments. Abdo announced that he helped develop “thousands” of such tasteful, expensive though not outrageously priced units during the past decade and a half, for “people of substance,” he said, “people who want to participate in this city.”

How Washington managed this transformation, however, is not a story that the rest of the country might want to hear, because we largely financed it.

Read the full story here.

Whitman-Walker Health to Open State-of-the-Art Facility in New Building Coming to 1525 14th St., NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week we noted work had begun on the new office building coming to the vacant lot between the Great Wall Szechaun House and Posto.

Lots more info on the building from a press release:

Whitman-Walker Health will open a new, modern health care home at 1525 14th St., NW, in mid-2014 to meet the health care needs of our community. This state-of-the-art center will enable Whitman-Walker Health to further our leading role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, expand on our commitment to provide affirming, culturally-competent care to metro DC’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and better serve our neighbors in the 14th Street NW corridor.

“Whitman-Walker has nearly doubled our patient base over the past six years and we expect growth to continue as more residents access care through the new health reform law,” said Don Blanchon. “This new facility will enable WWH to meet the health care needs of our community and provide the highest quality care in a 21st Century health care home.”

When the move is complete, Whitman-Walker will have nearly 43,000 square feet of space for health care services, a larger pharmacy, a Travel Medicine clinic, Wellness programs and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. The plan is built around Whitman-Walker’s three core values: Community, Caring and Quality.

New Condos Coming to 460 New York Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Their website says:

With its metal and glass tower rising above a preserved historic warehouse, 460 New York Avenue is worlds above common urban condos. This boutique community puts you right in the heart of the city, with your fingers on the pulse of modern style and convenience.

Beautiful European-Styled Finishes
Conveniently located in Mt. Vernon Triangle
Priced from upper $200s

More photos after the jump. (more…)

More Progress at Progression Place in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth


View from 7th and T St, NW looking south

The continued revitalization of 7th Street is jaw dropping (especially remembering what this section used to look like.)

Progression Place’s website says:

“Progression Place, the new, mixed-use property at 7th and S Streets, NW, adjacent to the Shaw-Howard U Metro station will be the new anchor of the Shaw-LeDroit Park neighborhood. With an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities within walking distance or just minutes away, the exceptional office, retail and residential spaces of Progression Place are certain to become the cornerstone of DC’s next great neighborhood.”


looking north on 7th St.

Couple more shots after the jump. (more…)

Vacant Property at Sherman and Girard St, NW to Become a Restaurant

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader tweets @PoPville asking what’s going on with one of the vacant buildings at the southeast corner of Sherman and Girard St, NW. I stopped by yesterday and saw a permit posted saying future use will be a restaurant. Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses.

Hopefully this will encourage development of the long blighted property across the street on the northeast corner of Sherman and Girard:

“Last Blighted Multifamily Structure” in Columbia Heights Getting a $5 Million Gut Renovation

By Prince Of Petworth


1483 Newton St.reet, NW

From a press release:

Urban Investment Partners (UIP) closed its third and final acquisition of 2012 with the $2.4 million purchase of the 32-unit apartment building at 1483 Newton St., NW in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. Approximately 80 years old, the building has been vacant for decades and has been condemned by the DC Condemnation Board. UIP will start a $5 million total gut rehabilitation of the building in the second quarter of 2013, once plans and permits are complete, and will create 39 modern rent-controlled apartments.

UIP acquired the building from two sisters-in-law who inherited the property from their husbands. It is one of the “Seven Sisters” – seven identical buildings between Newton Street and Meridian Place NW, all developed by prolific Washington real estate entrepreneur Harry Wardman and designed by architect Albert H. Beers in the early 20th century.

“Based on its current blighted condition, 1483 Newton Street is the ugliest building we have ever purchased,” said Steve Schwat, Principal, UIP. “I am happy to begin the process of relieving the neighborhood of this eyesore while restoring the building’s classic facade. I believe that renovating this property, as we have done with 1346 Park Road and so many other buildings in Washington, will add value to the entire neighborhood.”

Added Marty Zupancic of Marcus & Millichap, who represented the seller: “This is a significant transaction in that 1483 Newton Street NW is the last blighted, vacant multifamily property in the Columbia Heights submarket. Its rehabilitation will be symbolic of the renaissance that the neighborhood has undergone in the last decade.”

UIP owns another nearby Wardman/Beers building at 1430 W Street, one of “Six Sisters” along the 1400 block of W Street, NW. UIP General Contracting (a UIP subsidiary) is preparing a full interior and exterior renovation of that property. UIP also is renovating the exterior and common areas of the 24-unit 1489 Newton Street Cooperative located next door to the newly acquired 1483 Newton Street property. UIP’s work with the co-op supports its residents’ goal of maintaining and preserving their building as high-quality, affordable housing.

New Series: ‘Remember When?’ Remember When the Southwest Corner of 14th and T St, NW Looked Like This?

By Prince Of Petworth


Southwest corner of 14th and T St, NW in 2009

I often stumble upon old (not even that old really) photos of what certain buildings used to look like in the archives here. It always amazes me. Given the rapid developments going on all over the city I thought I’d start an occasional series when I accidentally come across a photo that looks completely different today.

If anyone has a photo of an area/building/lot that has changed please send me an email at princeofpetworth(at)gmail with ‘Remember When?’ in the subject line. Thanks!

So here goes Vol. 1 – the building now home to Room and Board.

Highland Park Addition Built at Hiatt and Irving St, NW – La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing Coming Too

By Prince Of Petworth


Hiatt and Irving St, NW 2012

Quite a transformation of the lot that once housed trailers:


Hiatt and Irving St, NW 2009

And here’s a rendering for La Casa’s replacement building which will go in front of the new building and a bit to the west on the lot above:

From Studio Twenty Seven Architecture:

Rather than function as a shelter, the “La Casa” project will provide permanent, supportive housing for forty men. Each living unit is designed as a single-person efficiency that will provide stability and predictability for the tenants as they immerse themselves in day to day living.

The building is seven floors above grade and includes a full basement. Total above grade floor area is 26,500 sf. In addition to the single efficiency units, the building will also provide a community room and exterior courtyard for the tenants. The project is slated to achieve LEED Gold certification.

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