Thanks to all who wrote in about some action going on at Meridian Pint coming to the corner of 11th and Park Road, NW near Red Rocks. You know, the place with table taps.

There was a pre-opening event last night and I had the good fortune to stop by. I didn’t take a lot of photos (you can see some preview shots here) but I couldn’t resist the table tap in action:

So after a few delays I’m happy to say they’ll official be open to the public this Thursday!

I’ll be exploring the beers a bit more but in the meantime here’s a sneak peek of just one row of taps:


I’m seriously not being sarcastic about this post. I’m really psyched that some retail is finally coming to the empty storefronts near Dunkin Donuts at 2750 14th St, NW. Perfect placement?

We spoke about good dentists here.

And the Columbia Uptown across the street is looking good. I hope their retail gets snapped up as well.


This rental is located at 3800 14 St., NW (at Quincy):


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The Craigslist ad says:

“*Hardwood Floors-Great views
*Close to Columbia Heights (15min.walk) & Petwort Metro (10min.walk)
*Metro bus stops in front of the building
*Laundry room in the building
*wall to wall windows-plenty of closets
*18min.walk to Target, Ruby Tuesday, WSC & more
ABOUT PETS: SORRY NO DOGS-ONLY CATS (2 MAX)”

Given how close you’ll be to Red Derby’s new roof deck, does $910 sound reasonable for this studio?


“Dear PoP,

I was hoping you could do an update of the building at 11th and Harvard that once housed the Alliance of Concerned Men. As you probably remember, there was a fire in the building in January. Since then the windows have remained boarded up and it doesn’t appear there has been any work done to restore the damage from the fire. At various time the place has become a magnet for tagging and graffiti which the city thankfully removes. I thought it was interesting that the Alliance of Concerned Men sign that used to stand at the corner was taken down or removed not too long ago.

Does the group plan to return to building? Do they plan on making any repairs? Right now it’s bordering on a Horse’s Ass award since it’s stood boarded up for so long without any indication of repairs.

Any new info would be greatly appreciated by the residents of the neighborhood!”

According to Council Member Jim Graham: “it will be rehabbed as a seniors only building.” I’m trying to get confirmation from DC Housing Authority. Signs have recently gone up announcing trash removal (thanks to another reader for sending):

I’ll be sure to show new photos when/if it’s completed in August.


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: 1354 Quincy St NW
Original List Price: $629,900.
List Price at Contract: $599,000.
List Date: 04/09/2010
Days on Market: 52
Settled Sales Price: $590,000.
Settlement Date: 06/18/2010
Seller Subsidy: $3,500.
Bank Owned?: No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original GDoN is: here.

Listing is: here. To see pics, click on the listing, then click on the main pic and scroll on the arrows.

While we have not seen the end of foreclosures, we are definitely seeing fewer and fewer foreclosures actually on the market. This particular property was a purchased for $267,000. in December 2009 by George Koutromanos from a regular seller who purchased the property back in 2004. Additionally, we continue to have an influx of owner occupant buyers purchasing in the city and taking advantage of fabulously low mortgage interest rates. Because we have a healthy supply of buyers at this point, we are continuing to see another wave of renovation activity, not unlike what we saw in the early 2000’s.

One of the commenters on the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post for this property pondered, “It makes me wonder if 90% of houses are being flipped by the same person or company in DC or whether all the flippers/builders have the same boring taste.” I actually think that there are quite a few active investors out there now, but just a few weeks ago, I featured another property that was also renovated by the Koutromanos family, who has been renovating in DC for decades.

This particular location has seen a tremendous amount of real estate activity recently. I did a search within just a few blocks of the property showing active, under contract listings, and settled sales since March 2010. You can see here the wide range of prices reflecting the vastly differing sizes and conditions of properties in the area, including 3600 13th St NW.


From a press release:

Thursday, the Columbia Heights Day Initiative launches Movie Nights in the Heights, a Columbia Heights outdoor movie series. The series will premier with a screening of Men in Black at Harriet Tubman Elementary Field. Starting at 8PM, DJ Paul Blumenthal will provide entertainment, followed by the film at 8:30PM.

Movie Nights in the Heights

8PM: Live Music, 8:30PM: Feature Film
Thursday, June 24: Men in Black & DJ Paul Blumenthal
Thursday, July 29: Hairspray & DJ Chris Burns
Thursday, August 12: Shrek & DJ Gavin Holland

Harriet Tubman Elementary Field
11th and Kenyon Streets NW

** NO ALCOHOL**
Remember to pick-up your trash
Flashlight recommended


We first learned back in April ’09 that Red Derby (3718 14th St. NW at Quincy) was looking to get a roof deck.

Thanks to a reader for the heads up – permits have been issued, construction has begun and I’m told the progress is advancing ahead of schedule! You can see there is a huge gap in the ceiling:

The bar will be closed Wed. for more construction updates. I’m told that in addition to a deck, there will also be a bar on the roof and it will have a similar configuration to the one on the first floor. If all goes according to schedule the new roof deck should be open by the first week of August.

And let’s give big props to those working and supporting the Derby while construction is ongoing because when I stopped by Tues. night there was no air conditioning. I will gladly patronize the Derby in 90 plus degree heat without a/c if we are rewarded with a roof deck!


Stairs to the roof likely to go where the closet above is now


This rental is located at 1304 Park Road, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Large English Basement Apartment in an ideal setting. Just one and a half blocks from the Columbia heights Metro. Super Safeway on the corner, with multiple shopping and dining experiences within close walking distance. This apartment has two entrances, parquet hardwood floors, gas fireplace, washer/dryer/ air-conditioning and small shared patio area. Tenant(s) share water bill with household above. Tenant(s) also required to pay gas and electric.”

I’m a huge fan of this location. Do you think $1250 sounds reasonable for this basement apartment?


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