Columbia Heights

Urban Investment Partners (UIP) Buys 1349 Kenyon St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow UIP is on a roll. Right before the new year they announced that the apartments at 811 Quincy St, NW were purchased for $8.2 Million with a $4 million renovation set to begin. On Wed. afternoon I received the following press release about 1349 Kenyon St, NW:

Urban Investment Partners (UIP) of Washington, D.C., in partnership with Infinity Real Estate (IRE) of New York, NY has acquired the a 40-unit apartment building at 1349 Kenyon Street, N.W. in Washington, a half block from the Columbia Heights Metro station, for $4.5 million.

Under the District’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), the 1349 Kenyon Tenants’ Association and UIP reached an agreement that will preserve, improve, and protect the property as part of the District’s dwindling rental housing stock.

UIP will begin a $2 million renovation that will add five to seven apartments to the building’s terrace level. UIP will preserve the building’s 1925 facade while renovating, upgrading, repairing and restoring the building’s common areas, building systems, and individual apartments. UIP General Contracting, Inc., a subsidiary of UIP, will begin the work in the first quarter of 2011 and complete it by the end of the third quarter of the year.

Sticky Fingers to Appear on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars

By Prince Of Petworth

Sticky Fingers is located at 1370 Park Rd NW in Columbia Heights. Whenever I post about them it always evokes heated comments. I know people have burned out a bit on cupcake news but I think this is pretty cool. From Veg News Daily:

After Chloe Coscarelli won season one of Cupcake Wars, vegan bakers are back on season two, represented by Washington, DC-based shop Sticky Fingers Bakery. Sticky Fingers co-founder Doron Petersan says the show’s producers had the well-established bakery on their radar, and invited them to apply to be on the show.

Cupcake Wars airs on March 8 and will be a competition-filled hour.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 14th and Meridian Pl, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Sunny and stylish(fully furnished (VERY high end)) 2Bd/2Ba in Columbia Heights with outdoor space. $2400 rent includes all utilities (water, electric (no gas), HD cable with Tivo & high speed wireless internet). Wall mounted high definition flat screen television in living room with built in speakers. Screened in balcony off master bedroom. Large capacity washer/dryer in unit. Full size dishwasher in kitchen. Off street parking is available in public lot (free) across street with AMPLE spaces.”

Does $2400 sound reasonable for this 2Bd/2Ba?

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 2633 16th street NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“ONE BEDROOM LOFT STYLE APARTMENT AVAILABLE immediately for move in. Large windows, high ceilings, gas fireplace and balcony.

Our apartment homes feature a fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, garbage disposal and electric range). Hardwood floors, granite countertops, washer/dryer combo and spacious bathroom!!! All utilities and internet included in one price for all $2,500.”

I’ve always liked this building from the outside (I think I’ve nominated it for a ‘best spot for a morning cup of coffee’ as well.) Are you surprised that a one bedroom is going for $2,500 or does that sound about right?

Movies in Columbia Heights + Help Pick Movies for NoMa Summer Screen

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mylar Bono

“Dear PoP,

I noticed that one thing you think the area is lacking is movie theaters. Although we’re not a full-blown theater with popcorn and milk-duds, BloomBars (3222 11th St NW) screens independent films and documentaries every Tuesday evening. Most of the time we are joined by the director (or others involved in the film) either in-person or on Skype, or else with a subject matter expert.

This Tuesday (1/25) we’re screening “Wednesday Afternoons” with a live Skype Q&A with the director after the film.

Next Tuesday (2/1) we’re screening “Capoeira: The Dance of Freedom” with a demonstration & lesson with our capoeira instructor and students before the film.”

Sounds like a great movie option.

And while we’re on the topic of movies – a poll has just been released where you can help pick the schedule for next summer’s NoMa Summer Screen schedule. So many good choices!

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located on University Place NW:


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Sorry for small photo but I think this could be a good deal.

The Craigslist ad says:

“Furnished English basement studio with independent entrance and backyard exit. The basement was entirely refurbished (carpet, bathroom, kitchen) less than a year ago.
This is a nice, just renovated townhouse at a great location on a quiet street (University Place NW) between Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights.

4 Blocks to Green/Yellow Lines ( Columbia Heights metro) and circulator. Zip cars available less than one block away.

One block from 16th street transportation corridor with at least four buses to K/16th.
One block to Meridian Park. Five minutes to Harris Teeter, Giant, Target, etc. Easy to park on the street.
The house has a backyard too with a grill. Great from April to October.
Rent is 1,185US$. All utilities included, wireless internet, TV cable and cleaning lady also included.
Available from 1 February. Minimum period 6 months. Only for one person, no pets.
Send email with three references if interested”

Wow, 3 references? Ever seen that many required before? I still think this could be a good deal – $1185 sound right?

Update on 14th and Belmont/Chapin St, NW (Old Nehemiah Strip Mall) Demo and Construction

By Prince Of Petworth

From a Council Member Jim Graham email:

Dear Friends, I want to share with you an update from UDR, the developer of the new project at 14th and Belmont. This is an another very important step in the revitalization of 14th Street in Ward 1.

We have now also opened the new Recreation Center at 14th and Clifton. It is now owned by the DC gov and will be operated by the Latin American Youth Center. This culminates a long effort by many of us, including our new Mayor, Vince Gray, to secure this property for better community use.

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham

HERE IS THE UPDATE FROM UDR:

DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION

2400 14th Street, NW will be developed with a nine-story high-rise building of concrete and steel construction on 0.92 acres and will consist of 255 residential homes, ground floor retail, two-level underground parking structure, and associated amenities. The community will offer a variety of floor plans with custom home features including premium grade trim, molding, flooring and countertops as well as private patios (select units) with views of the District. Residents will also be well served by the property’s community amenities including a rooftop terrace with pool and outdoor kitchen, business center with computer stations, media room, fitness center, gourmet demonstration kitchen, private serenity courtyard, and controlled access to the building and residential parking. A portion of the residential homes and retail space will be offered at affordable rents.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Ellwood Thompson’s Offically Terminates Lease in DCUSA (Columbia Heights)

By Prince Of Petworth

In what is arguably the least surprising news I have ever posted:

January 13, 2011, Richmond, VA – Ellwood Thompsons’s Local Market: Further to the

October 2008 signing of a lease agreement with New York based Grid Properties, for space
within DCUSA in Washington, DC, the parties have mutually agreed to terminate the lease, after
full analysis of the challenging economic circumstances.

In announcing the termination, Rick Hood, CEO of Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market,
stated “We regret that Ellwood Thompson’s was not able to proceed with Grid Properties in
order to occupy the space in Columbia Heights.”

As a twitter user said – now is the time to reignite hopes for a Trader Joe’s!!!

14th Street Corridor Vision Plan and Revitalization Strategy Public Meeting #3 Next Wed.

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Kingsbury Day School at 5000 14th St., NW (The Great Room)

STUDY PURPOSE:

With the help of government agency representatives and community stakeholders, the revitalization
strategy will help prioritize concerns and determine potential opportunities for revitalization and infill
development for the following commercial nodes along 14th Street:

Spring to Shepherd Streets |Webster to Decatur Streets | Jefferson to Longfellow Streets NW

MEETING #3 PURPOSE: OP consultants will present their market analysis for 14th Street to the public and
engage in a question and answer period. Community stakeholders will have the opportunity to learn
more about market demand and potential in their neighborhood. The outcome of this meeting will
facilitate the development of concrete strategies to revitalize and improve 14th Street.

Another New Clothing Store, Black-Eyed Susie’s, Coming to 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, the retail scene on the 3400 block of 14th St, NW is off to a great start this year. On Monday we learned that It’s Vintage Darling had just opened up at 3423 14th Street NW and on Thursday Black-Eyed Susie’s will be opening up at 3443 14th St, NW (by Meridian Pl) in the former Cindy’s Bridal space.  I was able to take a sneak peek and chat with owner Susie Saadian.

Susie is a Columbia Heights resident and some may recognize her (photo below) as a spinning teacher at the nearby Washington Sports Club.  After looking at some spaces in Mt. Pleasant a student mentioned that Cindy’s Bridal space had become vacant and the fit was perfect.  While the space is small at around 700 square feet, Susie has packed it with clothing and accessories (25% men’s).

According to her Web site:

“Black-Eyed Susie’s is DC’s newest new, used, and artisan clothing and accessory retailer.

Located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, Black-Eyed Susie’s provides the community with affordable, gently used clothing and accessories for men and women. Black-Eyed Susie’s will provide an opportunity for individuals to buy and sell wearable, in-fashion and current with the trend clothing and accessories.”

Another neat feature is that the shop can also sell your clothes:

“We are most interested in women and men’s clothing and accessories that can be described as contemporary or business casual. Accessories that Black-Eyed Susie’s accepts are shoes, purses and bags, hats, belts, jewelry, scarves, gloves.

You receive 40% of the retail price.”

The average price in the shop is $15-$30 but I even saw one t-shirt going for $4. They’ll be having a grand opening on Thurs. from 11am – 9pm and there’ll even be some drinks to celebrate.

I’ll say it again, things are def. looking up for the 3400 Block of 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

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