LeDroit Park

Shaw’s Tavern Has New Owners – Former Proprietor of Axis on U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

City Paper shares the goods this morning:

“The previous owner couldn’t handle it, so I’m taking over,” says Siya Sadeghi, introducing himself as the new face of embattled booze-less boîte Shaw’s Tavern during a meeting of the local ANC2c on Wednesday night…

Sadeghi rattled off a number of prior eateries that he’s worked on in D.C., primarily as a builder, including Tabaq on U Street and Haydee’s in Mount Pleasant. But only one he’s ever owned: the former Axis on U.

You can follow the saga of Shaw’s Tavern, located at 520 Florida Ave, NW which closed in Aug. 11, here.

Were there any fans of the former Axis? Axis was located at 1340 U St, NW and is now the home to Bistro La Bonne.

Arthur Treacher’s Selling Bulogi in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Ken’s Carryout now offers Bulgogi. Not traditional Bulgogi, but good price, ingredients seem fresh and the rice was perfectly cooked.”

Back in Aug. ’11 we learned that Ken’s Carryout was becoming an Arthur Treacher’s at 400 Florida Ave, NW. Anyone try the Bulgogi?

Dear PoPville – Have Folks Moved into the building at 4th and Florida Ave, NW?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Apologies for the terrible picture, I was stopped at a red light, in the dark, at a distance. This is the property right at 4th & Florida NW, just off Rhode Island Ave that was recently renovated, but then nothing happened to it for the last 18 plus months, give or take. It’s kind of a neat property on a triangle corner that I’ve always thought had a lot of potential. Last night (Thurs Nov 17) I saw lights on on the second floor and bodies moving around. I walk or drive by that property every day and cannot ever recall seeing movement or lights on since the renovation was done. Do you or readers have any idea what might be happening to with that place? From what I could tell in my brief 34 seconds to get a glimpse that second floor was just white walls and empty space, nothing fancy.”

Anyone know if folks have started moving in? You can see what it looked like when the scaffolding came down in March 2010 here.

Dear PoPville – Life in Ledroit?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user FrenchTwistDC

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I are seriously considering purchasing a home in Ledroit Park. We love the houses, the neighborhood feel, the new dog park and playground. Last night we looked up crime statistics on the DC gov page and found a significant spike in crime comparing this year to last year, particularly robbery and theft. It seems the new park on Elm street is attracting drug dealers and late night party-ers or loiterers. What a shame for the new neighborhood asset to quickly become a magnet for this activity. (There is interest in putting up a fence, but it does not exist yet.)

I wonder if that’s part of the crime story? Considering the pace of gentrification in this area I was surprised. Do you have any insight or thoughts on this? Is this an upward trend for Ledroit? What is being done to address growing crime?”

Thurs. Afternoon Rental Option – Shaw/LeDroit Park

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 5th and Florida Ave, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“This is a great find….2 bedroom/2 bath top floor flat…only 3 units in the building. 2 blocks to the metro in the cool LeDroit Park area. Flat features central air; jet bathtubs in both baths; granite counter tops; modern appliances; washer/dryer in the unit; and a great open living space floor plan. Will be available November 1 for move-in. If you would like to come to the open house please contact me for exact location.”

$2050 for this 2 bed/2 bath sound right?

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Bloomingdale/Ledroit Park (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 155 U St NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Beautiful, renovated 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom Victorian townhouse for rent in Ledroit Park. Main level has exposed brick wall, hardwood floors, central air-conditioning. Kitchen with brand new stainless-steel appliances (washer/dryer, gas range, built-in microwave, fridge, garbage disposal, dishwasher), corian countertops, and ceramic floor. Nice deck in backyard. Close to Children’s Hospital, Howard University, U Street-Cardozo, Capitol Hill. Parking on street readily available, 6 blocks to Shaw-Howard University metro station, and 1 block to bus stop (G2,G8,80).

Next door to new Parker Flats at Gage School condos!

$2,750/mo plus utilities. Available November 1.
-No smokers or pets
-Deposit is one month of rent. 7 month lease
-Utilities consist of: electricity (own account), gas and water (2/3 of total bill).”

$2,750/mo plus utilities sound right for this 3 bed/1.5 bath?

GDoN-Revisited by Hipchickindc, Funeral Home Edition, – 391 Rhode Island Ave NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Hipchickindc is a licensed real estate broker. Her latest business venture can be seen here 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: 391 Rhode Island Ave NW
Legal Subdivision: LeDroit Park
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: LeDroit Park
Original List Price: $955,000.
List Price at Contract: $799,000.
List Date: 02/20/2011
Days on Market: 180
Settled Sales Price: $850,000.
Settlement Date: 09/21/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Cash

Original post is: here.

The listing can be seen: here.

This was never actually offered up as an official “Good Deal or Not” (GDoN) post, however, PoP’s post from 08/09/11 (linked above) titled “Frazier’s Funeral Home for Sale in Ledroit Park” garnered a lot of interest. As several commenters noted, the building had housed the Frazier’s Funeral Home business for many decades and is known for its love-it-or-hate-it formstone and bright blue awnings. The very visible property is located at the well traveled intersection of Florida Ave NW, Rhode Island Ave NW, and 4th St NW. Apparently, as recently as 2007, the business had been operating, although, not without some challenges.

Some discussion came about regarding the generational aspect of neighborhood funeral businesses. Typically, they are grand properties and like many generational neighborhood businesses, are rapidly disappearing. Hall Brothers Funeral Home is located a couple of blocks to the west of the subject property at 619 and 621 Florida Avenue NW. 621 Florida Ave NW sold in 2005. 619 Florida Ave NW, which was the parlor (probably viewing and visiting) part of the home, sold in 2009 and is currently on the market for over a million dollars (unfortunately, with no interior pics or virtual tour). This PoP post shows 621 on the left and 619 on the right.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Shaw’s Tavern to Turn into a Coffee House?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in late Aug. we learned that Shaw’s Tavern would be closing at 520 Florida Ave, NW until they got a liquor license.

On the Shaw listserv this morning the CCCA President wrote:

“StevenMay of #ShawsTavern walked passed the casa and told me the jont may reopen as coffeehouse w/o ABRA license. They r working on sidewalk”

I thought Mr. May was no longer affiliated with the project but maybe he heard some scuttlebutt? As of 11am there was no update on Shaw’s Tavern facebook page.

Do you think Shaw’s Tavern reopening as a coffee house would be a good idea?

Good Deal or Not? “Close to Metro, Rustik Tavern & 2 cafes” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 125 T St, NW:


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The flier says:

“THE SKY’S THE LIMIT IN THIS PENTHOUSE LOFT! Two bedrooms, two baths, private rear deck & parking! Rustic exposed brick & iron railings juxtaposed against traditional moldings, handsome hardwoods & vaulted 18-foot ceilings with skylight. Gourmet kitchen with granite & stainless. Extra loft space. Full-size W/ D. Close to Metro, Rustik Tavern & 2 cafes. 24-HOUR NOTICE–CALL TENANT.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

Since I was away last week I wasn’t able to get prospective GDoN candidates (I’ll get more this afternoon) so I’ll echo this great one spotted by Urban Turf. This 2 bed/2 bath is going for $445,000 ($200 monthly condo fee.) Sound right?

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