H Street NE

SOVA Closing/Changing Ownership this Sunday on H Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth


1359 H Street, NE

Dear PoPville,

This is a bummer. SOVA is a nice place – totally chill with nice staff and good food and drinks. My band, Hollertown, played there every third Thursday and it was always fun. You never knew what you were going to get: wild drunken dancers, sedate and attentive quiet listeners or rowdy, loud conversationalists. Almost four years ago, I met the woman who became my wife there.

The owner writes us:

To all, It comes with deep regret that I must inform you that SOVA will be closing at the end of business, this Sunday, the 17th. This was not an easy decision, but it was a decision that had to be made, unfortunately. It was also a decision that had other people to consider, and who’s decisions mattered. I’m very very sorry. We were severely scared financially during the early years when business on the whole street was difficult to come by, and especially during the 3 plus years of street construction. We had some good nights, great nights even, but we also had nights where it didn’t make sense to even open the bar. To many of them. We grew with the street, and things got better. Just not better quick enough.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

New Mixed-Use Apartment Project and Retail Coming to 701 2nd Street, NE

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

Fisher Brothers, a family owned, multi-generational real estate development and investment company, today announced the groundbreaking of 701 2nd Street, NE. The development is the first Class A mixed-use apartment in the historic Capitol Hill and H Street neighborhood.

701 2nd Street, NE is a 10-story, 398,103 square foot building comprised of 377 apartments on the ground to 10th floor, approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space located along H, 2nd, and G Streets, and 309 parking spaces located on two floors below-grade.

“701 2nd Street will deliver an unparalleled level of amenities and services providing its residents not just an apartment, but a lifestyle that’s as vibrant and exciting as the surrounding Capitol Hill/H Street neighborhood,” said Fisher Brothers partner Winston Fisher. “Whether it’s relaxing at the building’s rooftop pools and cabanas or discovering a new area chef at one of the tasting events, residents need not leave their home for entertainment, discovery and excitement. From the exquisite interior finishes and design, the convenience of its central Capitol Hill to H Street location, the building is tailor-made for the urban resident who seeks convenience to work — and all conveniently located in a neighborhood hosting Washington’s newest restaurants and burgeoning retail corridor.”

The location of the development offers more convenient access to mass transit than any other luxury multifamily project in Washington, DC with covered access via an entrance across 2nd Street to Union Station, allowing access to every major mass transit provider in Washington, DC (Amtrak, Metro, VRE and MARC). There is slated more than 210,000 square feet of high end retail space, including more than 100 specialty shops and 50,000 square feet of restaurant space.

The units have been designed to accommodate the young urban professionals that populate the area. With this target market in mind, the building is strategically designed with a majority of one bedroom and two bedrooms units tailored to individuals living alone or with roommates. Interior finishes and fixtures have been designed by the Rockwell Group, one of the nation’s most imaginative interior design firms. All elements of the interiors combine to create and aesthetic that is elegant, comfortable, light and modern. Open kitchens feature Quartzite Vulcano countertops, subway tile backsplashes and stainless steel appliances. Kitchens and living areas include Plank Hickory Flooring while bedrooms will have carpet. The bathrooms are finished with top-of-the-line fixtures including Kohler toilets, Duravit tubs and Grohe faucets and shower heads. All the units will have stacked washer and dryers.

The 10-story building is to be constructed utilizing a masonry and window wall façade with concrete super structure. The exterior spaces will be extensively landscaped with interior and exterior gardens, water features, and rooftop decks will be certified LEED Silver and feature green roofs, and eco pond, and passive street storm water reclamation.

Besides Rockwell Group, the project team includes Hickok Cole Architects, Handel Architects, Plaza Construction, Landworks Studio for landscape design and retail leasing from Streetsense.

Residents will also enjoy:

• 24 Hour Lobby Concierge
• Working Lounge
• Kitchen and Tasting Tables
• Media Hub
• Party Room
• Fitness Center
• Rooftop Indoor / Outdoor Party Room
• Interior / Exterior Water Feature
• Eco Pond and Gardens
• Integrated Lobby Level Leasing Center
• Library Lounge
• Business Center
• Community Bulletin Wall
• Gaming Lounge
• Interior Pet Spa with exterior dog walk
• Rooftop Pool and Deck
• Rooftop Cabanas / Grill Areas
• Exterior Activity Courtyard
• Rooftop Community Gardens


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H Street to Get a Whole Foods Around 7th and H St, NE?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

A tasty bit of scuttlebutt this Friday morning – even though a brand new Giant is coming to 4th and H St, NE – I hear that Whole Foods is very close to signing a letter of intent for a property at 7th and H St, NE (either the Murry’s building or the drap dc government building). Another source confirms that they are looking but that this prospect is way way way in the future. Anyway, given our love for grocery stores – thought you’d want to hear as soon as possible.

Think H Street could support a Giant and a Whole Foods so close together?

Last week we spoke about our favorite grocery stores and Whole Foods came in a respectable third behind Trader Joe’s and Wegmans.

Dear PoPville – Does anyone know when the Giant on H Street NE between 3rd & 4th is opening?

By Prince Of Petworth


Looking east

Dear PoPville,

Does anyone know when the Giant on H Street NE between 3rd & 4th is opening?

I’m moving to that area soon and was wondering if anyone has information on when it’s set to open? I’ve heard rumors of May, but just wanted to see if anyone in PoPville had any real information about that. While there is the Harris Teeter on 3rd & M it would be nice to have a cheaper alternative nearby too (Safeway and Giant produce is much more affordable).

I’ve also heard the Giant will be opening in May. The building’s website has said spring 2013.

And while we’re on the subject – You guys like the way the building has turned out so far?


Looking west

Red Rocks Applies for Liquor License on H Street, NE, Will Have a 76 Seat Summer Garden

By Prince Of Petworth


1348 H Street, NE

In October we first learned Red Rocks Pizza would be opening another restaurant at 1348 H St, NE. Renovations have been progressing nicely and they’ve recently applied for a liquor license:

“New Full Service Restaurant and Bar serving Neapolitan Pizza and a DJ on the 2nd Floor.

Seating Capacity is 281, total occupancy load is 370. Summer Garden with 76 seats.”

Should be a great addition for springtime, when they hope to open.

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