Dupont Circle

Dear PoP – Construction finishing up at Washington Hilton

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’ve been watching this construction project out of my office window for more than two years. The original plan was to build a condo building in the area that is now covered in grass but it was scrapped after, I’ve heard, the developers didn’t get financing. So now there’s a big elevated garden. I’m not sure what’s underneath it. It looks nice but there aren’t even any paths on it so you can only look at it.

Then there’s a lawn that is going to be used for outdoor tai chi and yoga classes associated with the health + swim club that opens June 1. I’m psyched about that since I’m a swimmer.”

Dear PoP – What’s the Story with these Buildings?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

On N Street, NW, between 17th and 18th Streets, there are four boarded-up buildings on the north side of N, just two doors down from the Tabard Inn. They look like they’re in great condition, but I think they’ve been boarded up for quite a while. Do you know what the story is behind them? Who owns them? It’s a shame that such lovely historic buildings are boarded up like this.”

We discussed these buildings back in back in Sept. ’09 sadly it seems there has been little visible progress. At the time we learned that apparently the developer, Mr. Morton Bender and his company N Street Follies Ltd, would like to develop the properties into a hotel but the issue of parking has been a major hold up. The impasse has gone on for years and there are those who think it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

Judging Restaurants – Kababji Grill

By Prince Of Petworth

Kababji is located at 1351 Connecticut Ave. NW. Now that they’ve been open for a bit I thought we could some initial impressions. Their Web site says:

“The vision emphasizes on product freshness, healthy cooking. Food served fast is not to be confused with fast food, for the main distinction is that our food is entirely prepared from fresh ingredients, Kabab-ji goes the extra mile to bring you fresh quality food that taste great every time.

Our history is that of a traditional Lebanese / Mediterranean menu evolving to an open grill in a contemporary design. In short , it is the essence and value of the past served in a modern dish.”

You can see their menus here. Any fans?

Fuddruckers Closes at 1216 18th St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

This is a pretty prime location so it’ll be interesting to see who moves in. This is near Eighteenth Street Lounge by Connecticut Ave and Jefferson Pl.

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – 17th Street /Dupont Circle/U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1926 17th Street NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“• Gourmet Designer Kitchen with new top of the line stainless steel appliances (Kitchen Aid, Bosch and Fisher Paykel), espresso maple cabinets, glass back splash, granite counter tops
• Apartment on 2nd floor – front facing with a lot of sunlight and windows on two sides
• New hardwood floors
• Large windows with new espresso wood blinds
• New HVAC
• New Bosch Washer and Dryer in apartment
• Spa like bathroom with glass tiles
• High ceilings – over 9.5 ft
• Built-in wine rack
• New energy efficient double hung wood windows
• High-end finishes throughout
• Available July 1
• Parking Available for extra fee
• Approximately 500 sq ft
• Courtyard with gas grill”

Think it can go for $1795?

Go Burger Coming to 1317 Connecticut Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

The New York Times writes:

“In the coming months, Go Burger will open in New York at 1450 Second Avenue (75th Street), in Washington at 1317 Connecticut Avenue (near Dupont Circle), and in Los Angeles at 6290 Sunset Boulevard (Vine Street).”

This’ll be a popular burger street as Rogue States is located right across the street.

Dupont Underground Slowly Rising

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Paul Ruppert for sharing these photos and letting me know about the Dupont Underground Web site which says:

The Dupont Underground is coming – are you ready?

This visionary and ambitious development will bring to life 100,000 sq feet of galleries, multi-use flexible exhibition spaces, a teaching library, interactive archives, an arts café friendly to urban nomads and cloud-commuters as well as multi-media labs and arts-related retail. Central and accessible by Metro from all points across the city, The Dupont Underground will be a linking institution for the arts, architecture and design communities and establish a stimulating multi-sensory destination that will attract a new audiences to the city.

From the departure of deserted and forgotten infrastructure to the arrival of a stunning hub of creative critical mass, The Dupont Underground will establish the District as a place where innovation is an exciting, active and accessible part of daily urban life.

Through the adaptive reuse of the historic abandoned trolley station that lies directly beneath Dupont Circle, The Dupont Underground aims to establish a new landmark cultural institution to serve as a vital hub for innovative public exhibitions of contemporary art and design (including architecture, graphic design, new media technology, industrial, fashion, etc.). It aims to serve as a transformative incubator and accelerator for creative innovation and provide a physical cutting-edge locus for the diversity of the arts community to intersect. Committed not only to the current generation of artists, but to the city’s future, Dupont Underground will additionally work with the city’s public and charter schools to provide access to art programs along with apprenticeships, career guidance and professional training.

The Dupont Underground is organized by the Arts Coalition for Dupont Underground, a registered not-for-profit organization, comprised of artists, arts administrators, architects and business and community leaders working together towards transforming the Dupont Circle trolley station into a high-impact, world-class cultural destination.

I’ll be posting updates about upcoming events and fundraisers and how you can get involved. In the meantime do you think this will be a good use of the Dupont Underground?

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