Bloomingdale

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 2100 1st St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. 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: 2100 1st St NW

Legal Subdivision: LeDroit Park
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: LeDroit Park

Original List Price: $899,900.
List Price at Contract: $899,900.
List Date: 03/08/2011
Days on Market: 22
Settled Sales Price: $850,000.
Settlement Date: 04/25/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the listing then scroll through from the main pic.

Although many aspects of this home are not to everyone’s taste and some may seem dated, what you can’t tell from the pictures or the listing comments is that this property was immaculately maintained. The recent owner, an architect and his wife, bought the property something like twenty years ago. At prices twenty years ago, I imagine this grand corner home must have been an architect’s dream.

At the peak of the market in 2005, 2301 1st St NW, one of the grand corner houses in Bloomingdale edged into the 7 figures with a $1,050,000. purchase price. Since then, the prices for large houses along the impressive First Street NW corridor have ebbed and flowed. As Bloomingdale continues to develop in both recognition and commercial amenities, it’s not surprising that the prices are back on the rise. These are the top sellers over the past year.

Good Deal or Not? “sumptuous” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2200 1st St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Sophisticated Grande Dame completely restored & renovated thruout yet all arch. features maintained. Fabulous entertaining areas on each floor. Vaulted ceilings, granite kitchen w/ ss appliances. Luxury MBR and sumptuous Mstr Bath, Library, Family Room. 2 Fireplaces. All large rooms, no skinny spaces here! Big modern au pair apartment w/ front & back entrances. Zoned HVAC. PARKING!!!!!!!”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

The reader writes, “I’m actually curious about the pricing on this – for its enormous size it seems low. Though since it’s still at about 3x my budget, I haven’t been watching prices in this range as much. I do love the turret and the wood floors.”

What do you guys think of the house itself – sumptuous? Do you agree with the reader who thinks the asking of $975,000 for this 5 bed/3.5 bath may be a little low? What do you think it’ll actually go for?

Bloomingdale Civic Association’s Response to Steven May’s Open Letter Re: Engine Co. 12

By Prince Of Petworth


Engine Company 12 To be Located at 1626 North Capitol Street, NW

Following is a letter written by BCA regarding Steven May’s open letter to the community discussing a potential delay in the opening of Engine Company 12 at 1626 North Capitol Street, NW.

Bloomingdale Civic Association’s Response to Steven May’s “Open Letter to the
Community”

Neighbors,

The Bloomingdale Civic Association (“BCA”) has read Mr. Steven May’s “Open Letter” dated
today. While the BCA looks forward to working with Mr. May as he works toward the opening
of Engine Company 12, it is necessary to clarify a few things about the BCA.

First, the BCA fully supports Bloomingdale-area businesses and their efforts to serve the
Bloomingdale community. This includes supporting restaurants that seek liquor licenses.
Recently, we supported the applications of Big Bear Café and Boundary Stone, and we hope to
support future applications from businesses that will add value to our community.

Second, our policy concerning support of liquor licenses is that we consider all requests for
support during a duly noticed public meeting after the business owner has filed the license
application. Big Bear Café and Boundary Stone followed this process and the BCA supported
them. The principal reason for this policy is that Bloomingdale residents deserve to know what
the business owner is asking them to support and the official record of that information is found
in the filed and accepted application (acceptance occurs before the licensing board issues the
placard for posting). In fact, Bloomingdale residents already have approached us regarding
Engine Company 12’s intended use of the patio. While Mr. May has likely discussed this issue
in prior meetings, the use of the patio will be governed by the request in the application and the
terms of the license.

Third, the BCA is not delaying Engine Company 12’s opening. To be clear, the liquor licensing
process does not require that a letter of support from a civic association (or ANC) be obtained
prior to the submission of a liquor license application or at anytime thereafter. Likewise, there
is no requirement that such letter must be submitted with a liquor license application. We were
pleased that Mr. May sought our support and offered to consider his request once he filed the
application. Any claim that the BCA is the cause of Engine Company 12’s failure to open for
business on July 1, 2011 is disingenuous – at best. Even if the liquor license application was
filed today, in a best case scenario, the application could not be approved and issued before July
1, 2011. Further, I have found no support in the District’s regulations and through a call to the
licensing board for Mr. May’s claim that not acquiring a letter of support prior to the submission
of an application would cause a delay in application process. Therefore, assuming that the lack
of a liquor license is the only reason Engine Company 12 is unable to open on July 1, 2011, the
blame for not opening on time would seem to fall at the feet of the person(s) responsible for
filing the application in a timely fashion.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Triple Shooting at 1st and Q St, NW Around 9:15pm Thurs. Night

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Somewhere on the order of 15 emergency vehicles responded to a number of gunshots on the 100 block of Q St., NW. I saw two injured individuals put into ambulances. DC MPD’s alert says three suspects fled on foot north towards Florida Ave., NW. Photo is before the vast majority of police and fire arrived.

Kudos to DC police for responding within minutes of the shots being fired.”

MPD writes:

“Shooting tonight at 9:15 pm in the courtyard of 201 Q St NW. Three victims–an adult female, adult male, and juvenile male–all suffered non life-threatening injuries while in the courtyard at this address.

Three possible suspects last seen toward Florida Avenue NW on foot.”

Was anyone at Big Bear Cafe (1st and R St, NW) when this happened?


View Larger Map

Bloomingdale News: More Coffee Coming to Bloomingdale? Or Perhaps Wine? Engine Co. 12 Delayed Opening

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Another coffee shop for Bloomingdale? Workers renovate 1636 North Capitol St. NW, two storefronts up from the much-anticipated Engine Company 12 restaurant (left). The guy who seemed to be in charge said the upper floor will be apartments and the lower floor “commercial.” Next door at the Capitol Food Mart, the guy behind the counter said he’d heard the downstairs will be a coffee shop.”

Some may remember 1636 North Capitol as the Borf building. Also a commenter noted in our discussion about Bacio Pizzeria coming to Bloomingdale:

“Be patient, everyone — we will soon (in the not too distant future) have our very own wine & cheese bar (plus retail shop), courtesy of one of our very own Bloomingdale residents. More to come…”

A while back I heard a rumor that a wine shop would be coming to 1636 North Capitol. I’ll def. be keeping my eyes on the building to see who moves in. Stay tuned.


View Larger Map

UPDATE on Engine Company 12

This just in from multiple readers:

An Open Letter to the Community
Re: Scheduled Opening of Engine Company 12

To all local residents,

Due to the lack of open support from community leaders and local civic associations, it has become necessary to delay the opening of Engine Company 12 from July 1, 2011 to September 1, 2011. We have tried for the past several months to garner letters of support from local area civic associations and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission without success. Without these letters the process to obtain an alcohol license from the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration is drastically slower. Operating a restaurant of this size without an active ABRA license would be financially unfeasible.

Representatives from Engine Company 12 have been attending and presenting at local area civic association meetings and hosting meet and greets off and on for the past four months. It is unfortunate that this philosophy of open communication with local residents and civic leaders has not garnered the support necessary to yield letters of support from local groups.

If we are unable to obtain letters of support from the local civic associations and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the next 30-45 days the opening date will need to be delayed until after the start of the New Year. I apologize for this and we are still working diligently to get this project up and running as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Steven M. May Jr.
General Manager
Engine Company 12

Rustik Gets Outdoor Seating in Bloomingdale

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Rustik, of Bloomingdale, has finally opened up its outdoor seating. I pass by everyday on my bike home from work and was delighted to see it open for the first time last night!”

Sweet! Rustik is located at 84 T St NW (by Rhode Island Ave and First St, NW)

Good Deal or Not? “Rear deck perfect for BBQs” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at 1927 2nd St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Completely renovated from top to bottom with attention to every detail. Four bedrooms/3.5 baths including stunning master bedroom w/ walk-in closet and master bath and lower level suite with kitchenette and separate entrance (think potential rental income?). Rear deck perfect for BBQs and entertaining this spring & summer. Parking! Sq. footage is approx.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

What do you think of the renovation? $629,900 sound right for this 4 bed/3.5 bath?

More Pizza for Bloomingdale – Bacio Pizzeria Coming Soon!

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

While walking around the block this evening I noticed lights and activity at 81 Seaton Pl, NW home of the new Green Paws outfit. However, my attention was quickly diverted to the sign on the lower level storefront: ‘Bacio Pizzeria Coming Soon’. Katie bar the door! Can another sit down restaurant be sneaking into Bloomingdale?”

Wow, huge news! Interesting to note that it is basically around the corner of Rustik (1st and T St, NW) which also specializes in pizza. I wonder if this pizza will be the same style. Do you think two pizza spots can thrive so close together? I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available.


View Larger Map

Dear PoP: Is PoW coming to LeDroit Park???

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Is it true that Prince Charles is visiting LeDroit Park’s Common Good City Farm this Tuesday?? Anyone have any more info on this bizarre story? If true, the Princes should definitely meet. A PoW and PoP photo would be quite nice/amazing, indeed.”

Indeed it is true! I got an email yesterday from Common Good City Farm that at first I thought was a joke, given the wedding and all. But it’s the real deal:

“Dear PoP,

Common Good City Farm has two very exciting Tuesday May 3rd events to announce—one on the Farm and one at Big Bear Café.

It is with honor that I write to inform you that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales will be visiting Common Good City Farm on Tuesday May 3rd, 2011 from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. (The Farm is located in LeDroit Park on V St. NW between 2nd and 4th Sts. NW.) HRH Prince Charles is a long-time supporter of sustainable agriculture and we are privileged and grateful for his visit. We at Common Good City Farm would like you to join us as we welcome the Prince to our farm and neighborhood. To ensure that His Royal Highness can tour the farm properly, we’ll have to limit access to the farm itself but you can show your support for the farm by joining us in the surrounding area and sharing in the festive welcome for His Royal Highness.

Following HRH Prince Charles’ visit to our Farm, Common Good City Farm will hold a fundraiser after party at Big Bear Café from 6-10 p.m., involving mint juleps and music. A $20 donation is requested.

We look forward to seeing you and many of your loyal readers at one or both of these events. Thanks!”

Construction to finally Begin on Boundary Stone Bar in Bloomingdale?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Just wanted to give you a heads up on the Boundary Stone. There’s a portapotty and dumpster out front. I took the second photo through the window, where you can see scaffolding and such. So it looks like they’re finally working on it again.”

Back in Feb. ’10 we we first go word that another new bar would be heading to Bloomingdale. And in March ’10 the , to be named Boundary Stone gave a talk to the community about the new space coming to 116 Rhode Island Avenue NW. And then – nothing. Presumably there have been delays in permitting or other such matters but it looks like things could be back on track. If memory serves, I believe they already were granted their liquor license so it’s not likely that will cause a delay. I’ll be sure to update as construction progresses.

View More Stories