One of my favorite things about running this blog is when I get invited over to readers homes to check out their morning coffee spots. This couple in Bloomingdale have one of the nicest roof decks I’ve ever seen. Well the roof deck is quite nice but I mean the views. The views were insane. 360 degrees. A coffee spot like this definitely contributes to the Beautiful Life! Thanks again to these readers for their kindness in showing me their home.
This rental is located at 29 Q St, NW:
The listing says:
“New Renovation MUST SEE
Brand New 1 Bedroom basement apartment available in Shaw/Bloomingdale 10/1
whats included: Open floor plan, kitchen with high-end granite and stainless finishes. Stylish and well-sized bathroom with slate tile and modern fixtures.
Also included: Wood floors. ADT alarm system [included in rent]. Pre-wired for cable and internet [included in rent]. Full in-unit Washer/Dryer. Central/Heat & Air [separate system].
A Large bedroom that also gets natural light. Elfa Closet system already installed too.”
Does $1550/month + electric sound reasonable?
I don’t really care for the ‘Onion’ graffiti but the planted cactus is beyond cool. It’s from 1st St, NW in Bloomingdale.
“Dear PoP,
It was very very festive – felt like a big house party with pizza. Everyone was excited and accommodating to the first night mistakes too. We are just so happy to have it open.”
Sadly I wasn’t able to make Rustik’s soft opening (1st and T St, NW) Friday night. Well to be honest I was scared of the crowds but it looks like it was an awesome time. So for those that went – the most important question for me – how was the pizza!?!?!
Update questions from a reader just in:
“Secondly, I sadly missed the opening weekend for Rustik. I was hoping you could put it out there for discussion, what are the pros/cons, early reactions? Is it packed? If I want to go tonight, what can I expect in terms of waiting, standing, etc. What were the police doing out there in force on Saturday night?”
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 an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. 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: 70 Rhode Island Ave NW #401
Original List Price: $324,900.
List Price at Contract: $299,000.
List Date: 03/18/2010
Days on Market: 96
Settled Sales Price: $265,000.
Settled Price Per Square Foot: $345 No Parking Included
Settlement Date: 09/03/2010
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional through NACA
Original GDoN is: here.
The Listing can be seen: here. To see pics, after opening the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.
Prior to 2003, there was a grand total of one building of condominium ownership in all of Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park, at 5 Rhode Island Ave NW. This Good Deal or Not (GDoN) condo is located at 70 Rhode Island Avenue NW, and was one of three buildings developed as condos to come to fruition that year. All three had been rental apartments up to that point. Originally marketed as “The Ember”, residents swiftly revised this ominous moniker to “The Providence”. (The building at the corner of T St NW and 1st NW, where Rustik is coming in, was known as “The Green Ember” and was condo’ed during the same era.) The entire building had been gutted and renovated in 2002-2003. Each unit includes a gas fireplace, and even the small units typically have an open feel to them.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
After many false starts and teases, the day has finally arrived! Rustik Bloomingdale’s first Tavern opens up tonight at the corner of 1st and T St, NW. You can see their menu here. You can see their Web site here Rustik sends word in a newsletter:
“We are opening at last!
Starting, Friday, September 24th, at 9:00pm, Rustik Tavern will be open to the public.
This is a soft opening, therefore we apologize for any delays in service that you may encounter or random mishaps that may (and will) take place.”
Based on the buzz coming from twitter, I’d say the place is gonna be smashed crowded tonight. But that is understandable given all the anticipation. It is a great day for Bloomingdale.
And don’t forget Boundary Stone another Tavern is still slated to come to 116 Rhode Island Avenue NW. I’m hearing that they are now shooting for a February opening.
Well Bloomingdalians enjoy your beer and pizza tonight, you’ve earned it!
This rental is located at 2nd St NW at Rhode Island Av NW:
The Craigslist ad says:
“A must see basement apartment. One bedroom sized loft (over 900 sq/ft), full bath, open kitchen, washer/dryer. Two entrances, four windows— lots of natural sun light. central air conditioning /heating w programmable thermostat and dehumidifier.
1 block from 2nd and Rhode Island Avenue NW. Walking distance to a number of metro stops, Howard University, Washington Hospital Center, Children’s Hospital & Chinatown.”
Does $1500 sound reasonable for this basement apartment?
Additionally a reader is looking for a month to month rental – does anyone have any good suggestions on where to find month to month rentals?
I think the folks of Bloomingdale have been teased more than any other neighborhood in the city. Ugh. Thanks to a reader for sending the word that the old Fire House at 1626 N Capitol St, NW is on the market again (for $1,100,000).
Last we heard back at the end of July the space was slated to become a three level restaurant. This news may have gotten a bit overshadowed by Big Bear’s liquor license travails.
Keep knocking wood for Rustik Tavern to open up soon…
There’s been a lot of anticipation about the opening of Beau Thai at the corner of NJ and R St, NW. We took a sneak peek at the menu here. So here’s the early word from a few readers:
“I stopped in for some dinner after work, and can at least say that the Pad Se Ew is delicious. They were only taking cash yesterday, but said they expected to be taking credit cards either today or tomorrow.”
and
“It was good. Nothing special, but very good. You really can’t get Thai food wrong though, I’ve never had inedible Thai food. The owner is the sister of Thai X-ing, they both learned to cook from their mother and are all originally from Thailand.”
Any other early reviews yet? Remember so far it is only take out but hopefully in Sept. sit down will be an option as well.
Above is from by Eve Hennessa and below by Leah Frankel.
