Eckington

Good Deal or Not? “BEAUTIFUL BRICK AND STONE FEDERAL” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1735 North Capitol St, NE:


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The flier says:

“BEAUTIFUL BRICK AND STONE FEDERAL TOWNHOUSE, TALL WINDOWS, HIGH CEILINGS, HARDWOOD FLOORS, FORMAL LIVING ROOM, SEPERATE DINNING ROOM, GOURMET KITCHEN, SEPERATE LOWER LEVEL IN-LAW SUITE WITH 2BR & 1BA WITH FRONT AND REAR ENTRANCE. UPPER LEVEL 3BR , 2BA AND POWDER ROOM ON MAIN LEVEL. STEPS TO METRO, MINS. TO THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER”

You can find more info here and a photos here.

This 5 bed/3.5 bath is going for $459,000. It was originally going for $489,000. What do you think it will go for?

Fencing Go Up on North Capitol Street?

By Prince Of Petworth

Looks like some fence posts have gone in on North Capitol Street between Eckington and Bloomingdale. For folks that live in the area – do pedestrians often try to cross here? Do you support the idea of fences here? Anyone happen to know what they’ll look like? I’ll be sure to update when they are completed.

What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by @adrian_parsons

Thanks to a reader for forwarding this odd sight from twitter user @adrian_parsons. Parsons tweets:

“This is in Eckington and should not be constructed further.”

Anyone know where in Eckington this is being built? Anyone know what the heck it’ll be?

Dear PoP – Flooding in Eckington?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

I live in Eckington, and take the red line from Rhode Island Avenue on a semi-regular basis. Lately, I’ve noticed a great deal of standing water on my way there at the intersection of 4th and RI NE. It looks like someone had opened a fire hydrant in the middle of a downpour! The thing is, there is no fire hydrant in the area (that I can see), no rain clouds, not even a car wash that would explain all of this run-off. It’s been going on for awhile now — it’s there in the early morning and late evening just about every day — and I’m curious; what’s with all this water?”

Hmm, I know I’ve heard nearby Bloomingdale frequently gets flooded in rains. I think it is because of underground rivers or something like that? A reader once explained it here. Anyone know if the samething or something else is going on in Eckington?

Good Deal or Not? “fully renovated gem” edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1925 Summit Pl NE:


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The flier says:

“If comfort, convenience, and easy access around the city is what you’re after, then you’ve found it in this home. Located just a short distance to the NY Ave. subway and the new Harris Teeter, this fully renovated gem has new state of the art stainless steel appliances, light cherry cabinets, granite counters, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, finished basement, large rear deck, and much more.”

You can find more info here and more photos here.

The reader writes:

“What do you guys think about the house and area? The interior looks pretty decent and the deck out back is HUGE. The renovation seems to be of moderate quality (contractor grade tile in the bathrooms is lame). But some of the finishings are really nice.

Walking metro access to New York and, with some effort, Shaw/Howard is nice too. Street parking is kind of a negative, but for $350k, seems too good to be true as is.”

What do you guys think – does $359,900 sound reasonable for this place or is it too good to be true?

Thurs. Afternoon Rental Option – Bloomingdale/Eckington

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 35 Quincy Place NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“*Two bedrooms & One large bathroom
*1,000 sq/f unit, with an additional 400 sq/f of storage space
*A gorgeous kitchen with stainless steel appliances, marble counter tops, gas stove and stunning cabinetry
*Tons of huge windows
*One private parking space
*Wrought iron outdoor deck
*Front loading, stackable washer and dryer
*Stunning bathroom with shower, tub, espresso cabinetry & marble tile
*Hardwood floors throughout
*Modern light fixtures”

This sounds like it could be a good option for roomates. What do you think – does $2050 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Good Deal or Not? “Views of US Capitol and Washington Monument” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 26 P St, NE:


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The flier says:

“Great Building. Well Located. Spacious 4 Unit bldg Sold as is. No appliances, no HVAC nor water heaters. Units r in very good condition. 3 two BR units w/ similar floorplan. 4th unit is a 3 BR loft with unfinished deck. Hardwood floors in three units. tile baths. Views of US Capitol and Washington Monument. Purchaser live in 3br loft unit & rent rest. 3blks metro. MUST SEE!! well worth a look-see”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Well, this is arguable one of the most insane pop ups in the city. And it can be yours for $699,000. The area is actually up and coming but what do you think this pop up can/will actually go for? And what’s the best case scenario here – someone purchases the building and removes the pop up? Is that even possible or in any way likely? It’s interesting to note that the photos give no indication of the giant pop up…

Horse’s Ass Award Nominee Getting Fixed Up at 329 Rhode Island Ave NE

By Prince Of Petworth

Below the reader, Steven Conn, details the process he took to encourage the property owners improve or sell the blighted property.

“Dear PoP,

I am just happy that the building is being returned to being a productive member of society.

1. My community members and I urge DCRA to designate the property as blighted (composed evidence with pictures, etc)
2. DCRA agrees to blight the property after my neighbors and I convinced the Board of Unsanitary and Condemned Buildings at one of their hearings.
3. The building owner panicked, and went back to previous buyers that he previously declined offers from, and asked if they were still interested (so he could sell it before he had to pay the increased, blighted taxes)
4. Before buying the building, Ramin Bassam (principal of PERS Development) reached out to neighbors and I to see if we would support an effort to get DCRA to temporarily lift the “blighted status” so he could get financing to re-develop the building (apparently banks won’t give financing for re-development of blighted buildings).
5. Neighbors and I agreed that if Ramin Bassam would agree to 1) not seek public financing keep all financing private, and not seek public financing which would bring with it Section 8 housing, etc 2) begin construction by 30SEP10, and 3) keep the previous owner from being a going concern in retail planning etc, that we would support the appeal to DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status of the building so he could secure his financing
6. Ramin agreed to our 3 criteria, and we went forward to lobby DCRA to temporarily lift the blighted status, which they did two weeks ago (tomorrow).
7. Ramin got his financing the next day, closed on the bldg the following day, and started re-hab (first he has to clear out the debris) the following Monday!

So, it turned into a success story (so far so good), that hopefully other communities may use to abate their streets of vacant buildings owned by negligent landlords!”

Here is the article from DCmud about the new developer. Ed. Note: The article incorrectly gives me credit for the power point presentation which was submitted by Steven Conn (who wrote the above note as well).

You can see the original Horse’s Ass Award nomination here.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Eckington

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at T St, NE at 3rd St, NE:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Includes cable, internet, all utilities, private laundry. Apt will is furnished with a full sized bed in one room, and 2 twin beds in the other room a pull out futon in the living room and all kitchen supplies.

Available Aug 1.

Sublet by season. Can do long term by semester, short term summer…”

Looks like this could be a good option for a couple of students? How’s the public transportation at this location? Does $2000 sound reasonable for this 2 bedroom?

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