The PRP tells me that this long vacant building behind Wonderland has finally been bought. He hears that the new owner is planning a green renovation which will include a commercial space on the ground floor and either a residence or more commercial space above. Very, very cool. I’m dying to know what the commercial space will be used for. Has anyone heard anything?
Now remember all posts that have the word “scuttlebutt” in them must be taken with a grain of salt. However, a particularly good source has emerged who will be known as the Park Road Prognosticator (PRP). So PRP has tracked down a phenomenal scoop. Apparently 11th Street Deli has been sold. In and of itself that would be a sad thing. But for the fact that a number of sources are saying that the new owner plans on opening a wine bar and pastry shop! I’m telling you 11th Street keeps getting better and better! Has anyone else heard this rumor?
Thanks to a reader for sending in this link for the house for sale at 1309 Kenyon Street. I have walked by this house a million times and always stop to admire it and its incredible porch. I’ve always thought this was one of the nicest houses I’ve passed in Columbia Heights. Now what makes this the fantasy edition is that the price is $1,299,000.
The listing says “incredible spectacular one of a kind detached home beautifully renovated w original well preserved woodwrk main house has 5 bdrms 3 1 2 ba 3br 2 f bath legal apartment in lower level sunny rented 2500 month”.
So this is way out of my price range but just out of curiosity – a house this big, in such a great location – is it a good deal or not?
In a good way of course. I didn’t think things could get any better after the new bagel and lox option. But now they have one of my favorite deserts in the world – baklava. For only $1.50 too. Can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Exiting the Petworth metro this afternoon I was handed a flier announcing Papa John’s grand opening at 1417 Otis Place. Until May 31st you can get a large 2 topping pizza for $10. 202-667-7272 Wild. But I guess the question is: If you can get delivery from Moroni and Bros. why would one ever get Papa John’s? I guess that garlic dipping sauce is pretty damn delicious.
Thanks to a reader for sending me this link. Check out the renovated rowhouse on Apartment Therapy here. It has a bit of a modern flavor. Do you like the renovation?
The New Columbia Heights blog is reporting that Ellwood Thompson’s grocery store is still trying to get a lease in the DC USA Complex. The blog says that the store “carries a lot of organic and free-range products, buys a lot of its meat and produce from local farmers, and has a lot of standards for their products.”
I strongly support organic and free range products. Having said that I just can’t get excited about this prospect. I’m perfectly happy with the Giant right across the street. I’d be stoked for something new like when we heard about the REI or maybe a Borders books store but I just can’t get too excited about a grocery store opening up right across the street from a new grocery store. Is it just me or am I missing something? Is there great excitement about the possibility of another grocery store in Columbia Heights?
Ed. note: Despite the many recent posts on grocery stores, I swear I am not obsessed by them. I am, however, obsessed with grocery carts but that’s a whole other post.
A reader writes:
PoP —
Long story short, I moved to Columbia Heights back when it was a
collection of vacant lots, and at the time kept telling all my friends
that some day the place would be jumping and they’d regret busting on
me for moving to the area when the world was outside my doorstep.
Well, that day almost has arrived (I’m waiting for the gym to be
useful before declaring it officially so), and I should be living it
up with a reasonable mortgage for a good home in a great location.
The irony is that circumstances (mostly space limitations in the short
term) now have us looking to move out of the neighborhood. But a
house in the ‘burbs is expensive and might age us prematurely, so I’m
looking for alternate solutions before sealing my fate. One thing
that crossed my mind — and I know this is heresy — is adding a
pop-top to my rowhouse so we could get another bedroom or two, a
second bathroom, and some additional storage space (~ 750 sq. ft.).
Hell, maybe even add a roof deck to the top.
So my questions to a man who has studied the pop-top phenomenon and
his readers who have possibly participated in it are: Assuming I
attempted to do this as tastefully and unobtrusively as possible
(i.e., not an architectural monstrosity, something that respects the
streetscape), what sort of cost would I incur, and how long would I be
displaced while the roof was off my house? Are there good examples of
pop-tops that are particularly nice that people could point to, or
contractors who have done nice pop-tops? And, at the end of the day,
would any of my neighbors ever forgive me if I did this?
Here’s a pop up that I thought was extremely tasteful. This one’s not bad either. So can anyone point out some examples of good pop ups? Can anyone recommend a good architect/contractor? Can anyone forgive this desire?
Many of us have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Royal Blue in Columbia Heights on 14th Street next to the Heights restaurant. Well, what I’m hearing is that the delay was caused by some architect issues but they’ve picked a new one and are moving along nicely. I even hear they are going to have one of those cool waterfall walls inside. Right on. Anyway, if all goes well, there should be a soft opening at the end of June. Stay tuned…
Thanks once again to DC Real Estate agent, Kevin Wood for putting together a list of home and condo sales for the month of April. Kevin has compiled a list home sales for zip codes 20011, 20010, and 20009. Click on the following link to open up a PDF of the list. April Home Sales So do you think prices have started to stabilize in this zip codes?