Columbia Heights

Dear PoP – Should I Live on the 2900 block of Sherman Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I am a potential first time home buyer that found a place I love on the 2900 block of Sherman ave. However, my concern is that it is over-priced and that the area is neither aesthetically pleasing or safe at this time. As this is the biggest purchase of my young life, I want to make sure anything I do is well thought out. Therefore, and although you may be biased, what are your thoughts on making huge investments in this area (to the tone of $390K)? What do you think the impact will be of the Sherman ave. reconstruction? Do you think said construction well be completed as envisioned in the design phase? Anything else you would like to add would be extremely helpful. One last thought, I am a male in my mid-20’s, and in more than one discussion since contemplating this purchase I have heard something to this effect “a male living in this area equals OK, but don’t even think about getting a female roommate or having a girlfriend over because it is still that unsafe.”

I’m one of the folks who believes that Sherman Ave has huge potential. If I were looking to buy a home now I would not hesitate to buy there, knowing that it will take a number of years before it reaches its potential. But like others have said, I like the proximity to 11th St, NW and all it has to offer. I’ll let the folks who live there discuss the safety issues. Good luck!

Meridian Pint to Offer Brunch Next Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

On Sunday morning I tweeted the following information that I heard from the folks at Meridian Pint (11th and Park Rd, NW):

“Meridian Pint serving brunch today (Sunday) from 12 noon til 2pm. Next week full service brunch on Sunday, Aug. 1st beginning at 10am”.

While a full brunch starts at 10am next Sunday (and goes until 3pm I believe) I also hear that in the following weeks brunch will also be extended to Sat. I’ll announce that extension when it goes live. Anyone happen to try the practice brunch on Sunday?

Lost Dog in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Very sad note from a reader:

“I have had her for 8 years and she is my whole world.”

Missing or Stolen Chichuahua!
If found please call 301 221-1866 Immediately
$$$$ Cash Reward $$$

Update: Dog returned safe and sound!

New Building Progressing Nicely in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been meaning to show the progress of this new building on Clifton just east of 14th St, NW for quite a while. It’s coming along real nicely. Here’s a side view from the Duron Paint building:

They will be affordable condos from MANNA.

I’ll be sure to post again when the building is closer to finished.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 2719 13th St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

In real life, hipchickindc is actually the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais, an associate broker with Urban Pace. Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, Suzanne is currently Chair of the DC Public Policy Committee for the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® and is President Elect of the Washington, DC Association of REALTORS®. 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: 2719 13th St NW Unit #1 & #2

Original List Prices: $799,000. & $899,000. respectively

List Prices at Contract: $699,000. And $899,000. respectively
List Dates: 02/22/2010 & 2/26/2010
Days on Market: 108 & 15
Settled Sales Prices: $685,000. & $899,000.

Settlement Dates: 07/12/2010 & 04/23/2010
Seller Subsidies: $0. & $0.
Bank Owned?: No & No
Type Of Financing: Conventional for both (although it is now possible to get FHA approval for 2 unit condos)

Original GDoN is: here, but only for Unit 1.

The Listings can be seen: here. The pics are spectacular and can be seen by clicking through to each listing, then clicking the arrows on the main pic to scroll trough.

First off, sorry there was no Good Deal or Not Revisited (GDoN-R) last week. I had planned to write it while
on vacation but the wireless in Jamaica was way slow, Mon.

This conversion of one of the very large rowhomes on 13th Street NW made for two very large duplex units.
Commenters to the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post, which only featured the lower unit, noted the
quality of the design and finishes of the unit. Interestingly, the consensus was that the original price of
$799,000. was a good deal. I’d say that the buyer who purchased it for $114,000. (nearly 15% less than original
list) got a fantastic deal.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Thurs. Afternoon Rental Option – U St/Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at Beekman Place by 16th and Florida Ave, NW:


View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Chic two-level townhouse in gated community.

Just minutes from Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and U Street.

24 hour security and parking.

large one-bedroom apartment, two bathroom unit, on two levels, with private patio.”

You can see the Beekman Place Web site and photos here. It says, “Beekman Place is situated within the historic walls of the former Henderson Castle.” I’ve always been curious about these homes. What do you think? Does $2980 sound reasonable?

Dear PoP – What is the Park Road Facade project?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was walking down park road and noticed some guys nailing wooden stops to the brick on a storefront. Above them was a sign that said something about the Park Road Facade Improvement Project. It’s on the East side of the strip between 14th and Hiatt, near Pho 14.

Maybe someone more familiar with this type of construction knows more. Do you know anything about this project and what it entails?”

There was just a groundbreaking on this project yesterday. Sounds like it’s gonna be a serious improvement ($700,000).

Following is a press release about the groundbreaking from Mayor Fenty:

“Today, [Wed. July 21]Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, Department of Housing and Community Development Director Leila Edmonds, and Development Corporation of Columbia Heights (DCCH) CEO Robert Moore joined Ward 1 business leaders to begin façade improvements on 13 businesses on the 1400 block of Park Road, NW.

“Supporting small, local businesses has always been important to my administration,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “The renovations to the businesses on Park Road will continue to make Columbia Heights a great business corridor for District residents to find the goods and services they want.”

“We are happy to support the façade improvements on Park Road,” said DHCD Director Leila Edmonds. “The improvements to the businesses on Park Road will not only enhance the image of Columbia Heights but can also continue the economic growth in Ward 1.”

DHCD awarded DCCH a grant of $618,000 for the project, which is expected to cost approximately $700,000 in total. DCCH is overseeing the façade renovations with Keystone Plus Construction as the general contractor and Architecture by Tono as the architects. All property owners of the 13 businesses are members of the Coalition of Park Road Businesses, which was founded in 2006. The store front renovations are expected to be complete fall of 2010.”

Big Building at Corner of Sherman and Park Road, NW For Sale

By Prince Of Petworth

Every year or so a reader will ask about this building located at 770 Park Road NW. We’ve learned that the building is home to:

“NationHouse was founded in July 1974 in Washington, D. C. NationHouse grew out of the student activism of Howard University community in the late 1960s. We are one of the oldest independent Afrikan centered schools in the United States and in the DC metropolitan area serving the specific needs of children of Afrikan heritage from pre-school to twelfth grade.”

Not sure if this means NationHouse is moving or closing or if the owner of the building is just testing the waters. More info as it becomes available.

Barrio No Longer Coming to 11th St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

It has been almost a year to the day since we last spoke about the new restaurant, Barrio, that was supposed to come to 3418 11th St, NW (next to Columbia Heights Coffee). While the name was a bit controversial, it is unfortunate that this space will remain vacant.

A reader sent the heads up from Don Rockwell that they will not be opening. The restaurant was going to be opened by the owners of Local 16. It doesn’t seem like there has been any progress at their other new proposed location, 1832 14th St. NW, either. I’ll post more details as they become available.

Maybe this will give Columbia Heights Coffee another opportunity to expand?

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