Columbia Heights

Movement at 14th and W St, NW and 14th and Belmont St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who’ve written in about the progress at 14th and W St, NW (pictured above). We’ve been eagerly awaiting movement since Oct. ’07. Perseus Realty just issued a press release this afternoon:

“14W Apartments

Perseus Realty, LLC (Perseus Realty) of Washington, D.C. and its joint venture partner Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG) of McLean Virginia will begin construction shortly on a new mixed-use development at 14th and W Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C. The approximately 300,000 square foot project will have 231 rental apartments, an all-new 44,000 square foot YMCA facility, and over 10,000 square feet of ground-level retail space. With equity financing from Rockpoint Group, L.L.C. and a $53 million construction loan from Wells Fargo Bank, NA, the development team will begin demolition of the existing buildings in early December. The state-of-the-art YMCA and first apartments will deliver in summer of 2012, with the remaining apartments delivering by fall of 2012.”

And a bit further north it looks like construction may also soon start as they’ve put some new barriers down at the old Nehemiah site at 14th and Belmont St, NW.

Full Perseus press release after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Body Found in Alley by 11th and Euclid St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

There is a massive collection of police, comprising 2 paddywagons and a bunch of cop cars, including at least one detective, at 11th and fairmont. The Fairmont block between Sherman and 11th is closed off. The police won’t tell me anything, save to say “it’ll be on the news, sir.” Perhaps you can find out more?”

Another reader sends in the above photo and writes:

“My friend has the cops and media outside his house. Apparently they found a body in the alley behind the houses on Euclid, near 11th St.”

UPDATE: 4:29pm another reader writes that the victim is a “young girl”. More info as is it becomes available.

UPDATE: 5:03pm another reader updates – “a girl in her late teens, found in a super can, no other info.” There’s reason to believe they’ll be able to identify the victim.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights/Pleasant Plains

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at Fairmont St at Sherman Ave, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Private entrance. New paint, new carpeting throughout. Kitchen with all appliances. Bathroom with shower. All utilities (except phone) included –

Heat (thermostat controlled by owner)
Central Air (thermostat controlled by owner)
Electric
Wireless Internet (Secure network)
Satellite TV (includes NFL and NHL ticket)
Water / Refuse

Unfurnished. Great location, 1 block from Howard University. 10 minute walk to 2 Green line metros and U St Corridor. Plenty of street parking. Available Dec 18.”

Does $1050 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom basement apartment?

Good Deal or Not? “The best priced 2 bedroom Penthouse in NW DC!” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo conversion is located at 1322 Kenyon St, NW:


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The flier says:

“One of four all new 1500+ square foot townhouse style 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condos! 2 blocks to metro & all of the shops! Stunning finishes, gleaming hardwood floors, huge rooms, top shelf gourmet kitchen, crown moldings, wonderful built-ins, fireplace, huge private roofdeck, deck, custom tile limestone baths and 3.5% down avail. . The best priced 2 bedroom Penthouse in NW DC!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This property was actually a pre-renovation good deal or not? post back in Oct. ’09 (it was going for $875,000). This 2 bed/2.5 penthouse is going for $650,000 ($230.69 condo fee). Does that sound like a realistic price?

For the curious – Unit 1 is on the market for $499,900.

Here’s what the property looked like pre-reno and pre-pop up in Oct. ’09:

Yesterday’s Huge Fire on 16th and Oak St, NW Claims 1 Victim

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This house has been mentioned before in the blog I think. A 92-year-old woman died. This is how it looked this morning from the sidewalk.”

Indeed I have always admired this home (and the big tree in front of it). But obviously I’m far more saddened by the loss of life. Sending thoughts and prayers to the woman’s family.

Ed. Note: Yesterday I was away from the computer at the time of the fire. In those cases I usually tweet the news sent to me from readers. You can follow me on twitter @PoPville here.

Columbia Heights: DC USA’s Other New Tenant – Welcome SportsZone!

By Prince Of Petworth

They’re obviously been a lot of buzz surrounding IHOP’s grand opening and pancake sculpting but I didn’t want Columbia Heights’ other new opening to fall under the radar. And I gotta say, for those that were worried that the space wouldn’t look good, your worry was in vain. It turned out great! They are located between the Lane Bryant and Staples on the 14th St, NW side (between Irving and Park Rd).

Good Deal or Not? “new beautiful renovation” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1367 Perry Place, NW:


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The flier says:

“A new beautiful renovation in Columbia Heights – steps from Tivoli Square shopping and restaurants. 3 bdrm (2 master suties) and 3 full bath with finished basement. Bamboo flooring, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, maple cabinets, marble bathrooms and many more amenities.”

You can find more info here and a mouse on house tour here.

What do you think of the renovation? Does $569,900 sound right for this 3 bed/3 bath home?

Free Pancake Reminder – Line Up Starts at 6am Tues. Morning at IHOP

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ll admit, I’m far more interested to see “Notable Pastry Chefs Sculpt Monument Out Of Pancakes”. Anyone already check out the IHOP at DC USA? If so how was the experience?

From a press release:

Free Flapjacks For First 1,500 Guests; Notable Pastry Chefs Sculpt Monument Out Of Pancakes; Live Entertainment Over 100 New Jobs, Continued Rebirth of Community

· The first 1,500 guests will be treated to (or receive a certificate for) a free short stack of IHOP’s famous buttermilk pancakes.

· Notable D.C. pastry chefs (Leslie Goldman-Poyourow of Fancy Cakes by Leslie and Randi Goldman of Creative Cakes, Inc.) will create an iconic replica of one of Washington’s most famous monuments using thousands of pancakes with the help of students from the culinary program at Bell Multicultural High School.

· Live entertainment (magician, clown, stilt walker, etc.) will entertain the crowds
· A contribution will be made to the Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP), the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Bell Multicultural High School

WHY: IHOP is celebrating its leadership in sales and restaurant openings in the family dining category, has plans for additional growth, and wants to thank the community of Columbia Heights for its support.

WHO: Mayor Adrian Fenty
Councilmember Jim Graham (Ward 1)
Council Chairman Elect Kwame Brown
Julia Stewart, Chairman and CEO, DineEquity, Inc. (parent company of IHOP and Applebee’s)
Jean Birch, President, IHOP
Clarence Jackson, Sr., Clarence Jackson III and Tyoka Jackson (The Jackson Investment Co. LLC, Local IHOP Franchisee)

WHEN: TUESDAY, November 23, 2010

6 00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Guests allowed to line up for free flapjack certificates
6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pancake monument sculpting by notable pastry artists
9:00 a.m. Ribbon cutting with dignitaries
7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Live entertainment for guests (Stilt walker, Clown, Magician)

WHERE: IHOP at DC USA, 3100 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. (Columbia Heights)

Man Found Shot in 2800 block of 11th St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

“At approximately 0310, Third District officers were called to the area of 11th and Lamont Street for the sounds of gunshots… Once on the scene, units found an adult male suffering from one gunshot wound to the leg area in front of 2811 11th Street. He was transported to a local hospital. Anyone with information relating to this event can call 202-727-9099”

Might Want to Reconsider Their Tagline – Ellwood Thompson’s No longer Coming to Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, most of us suspected this for months now but it’s finally official. Makes me laugh when I see their tagline “Real. Honest. Food.” Ah, that still crack me up. Ok, sorry. Lydia DePillis from the City Paper has the word from CM Jim Graham:

“Little did I know how conservative, really timid, they would be come…they’re going to pay for this very bad decision.”

Graham expressed confidence that another organic grocer could be found to occupy the space; discussions are already underway with “a whole group of them.”

Wow, I wonder what “they’re going to pay for this very bad decision” means.

But of far greater interest – who are the other organic grocers that could come?

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