Mount Vernon Squangle

Dear PoP – What’s Going on with 9th Street Retail?

By Prince Of Petworth


View Larger Map

“Dear PoP,

I’m trying to find out if anyone knows what’s been done with the building that was formerly The Space at 903 N Street. It closed a while back and now that EFN Lounge is also closing on 9th Street I’m sad to see these local businesses go. I was hoping perhaps these spaces might be available for lease or sale. Anyone know anything?”

Anyone know of any plans for these spaces? I couldn’t help but note that the old Vegetate space at 1414 9th St, NW also sits vacant. Do you think this section is regressing? Ed. Note: By regressing I mean a return to vacant storefronts. No more no less.

Vida Gym to Likely Replace Result Gym Closing at the City Vista

By Prince Of Petworth

Earlier this morning we spoke about the Results Gym that was closing Sept. 1 in the City Vista building in Mt. Vernon Square. Just wanted to share the early word from a well placed source that it is looking like Vida Fitness will be taking over the space.

This is still technically scuttlebutt but I give it a very high probability of coming through.

Results Gym Closing at City Vista in Mt. Vernon Square Sept. 1

By Prince Of Petworth

Normally we’re used to hearing exciting news or at least exciting scuttlebutt when talking about City Vista in Mt. Vernon Square. This is the first time I can remember big news of a closing. Many readers are bummed and last night sent emails like the following:

“Dear PoP,

I’m a relatively new MVT condo owner (bought in 2009) and was devastated to hear from an excellent source with firsthand knowledge that the Results in City Vista will close abruptly on September 1st. This is terrible stuff, especially for the staff that will lose their jobs.

I’m writing to break the news in the hope that it will spread and cause such an uproar that it will make the Results brass reconsider…”

Another reader sent in definitive word from one of the trainers so I’m afraid an enormous uproar won’t be able to make Results reconsider at this point. But perhaps another gym can/will move into the space?

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Mt. Vernon Square/Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 469 Ridge St, NW:


View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Lovely 1 bedroom in an 8 unit building on fabulous tree-lined Ridge Street. Super location just 2 blocks from the Convention Center/ 7th Street/Mt Vernon Sq Metro. 5 min walk to new City Vista (Safeway, Results Gym, Busboys and Poets, Deli, Starbucks, more). Walk downtown Chinatown easily to experience DCs restaurants, theatre, and nightlife. 15 min walk to Georgetown Law.

This unit is beautiful inside, fabulous renovation. Neutral decor throughout, newer carpet, recessed lights everywhere …. Washer/dryer, central AC, dishwasher, ceiling fans, and more.”

Do you think $1295 sounds reasonable for this 1 bedroom?

Free Sweetmobile Yogurt and Support Student Artists at Eastern Market Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by flickr user Carly & Art

The Sweetflow Mobile will be giving out free small yogurts on Sat. “12:00pm-2:00pm: 25th St NW + Pennsylvania Ave NW, 3:00pm-5:00pm: 5th St NW + K St NW”.


Photo courtesy of Albus Cavus

From an email:

“Please help us spread the word about work of our student artists, who have been working hard in the summer heat to produce art that beautifies DC’s public spaces.

The open studio is on August 7, 2010 from 2pm to 8pm at The Freezer Studio, 633 E Street SE in rear alley, in walking distance from Eastern Market Metro.

“Through this year’s Summer Youth Employment Program, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many energetic artists from Albus Cavus. From learning how to silk screen to creating large outdoor sculptures with fiberglass, my summer has been full of color, fun and new friends.

This Saturday, August 7th, we’re opening the doors to our studio and inviting everybody to stop by and see all the work we’ve produced this summer. Come interact with us, the young artists. Cut a stencil, make your own shirt or help decorate a hand sculpture. Buy a shirt and eat a hot dog. Or just dance!”
Courtney, 16

Albus Cavus artists and students have been working out of The Freezer, a space provided to us by Alex Gold of The Fridge. In the recent months we have completed a huge amount of work. Please tour the studio to learn about current public art projects and donate to keep the workspace open…

Discuss Future Murals on 8th Street and Penn Ave; Large Art Exhibit + Auction and Raffle; Music and Performances; Students’ Presentations; Refreshments…

On August 7, 2010 from 2pm to 8pm at 633 E Street SE in rear alley, in walking distance from Eastern Market Metro.”

Seriously Sweet Mt. Vernon Square Scuttlebutt – Chipotle and Rays Coming Soon?

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s been a while since we chewed on some sweet scuttlebutt and I wanted to update our last Mt. Vernon Square scuttlebutt discussion from June. At the time I had heard that the City Vista sales center located at 1045 5th St, NW was looking like it might become a wine bar, a Chipotle, or something else. Well I’m hearing that Chipotle won the battle.

And in other huge Mt. Vernon Square scuttlebutt – one of the last retail spaces on the K St, NW side is likely to get filled with a Ray’s Hell Burger you know the place often cited as one of the best burgers in DC (Arlington actually) and the spot Obama visited in June with the Russian president. I’m hearing it will be in the space near the Results gym. That would be a pretty sweet addition to the row, yeah?

At the moment both the Chipotle and Ray’s ‘coming soon’ should still be considered scuttlebutt but I promise to update if/when the official word comes out.

Protest at the Convention Center

By Prince Of Petworth

Twitter user SPimentel snapped the photo and writes:

“huge protest @ convention center! Lots of signs about people losing homes. Any ideas what this might be?”

I know that the National Urban League is having a conference this week. You can read about their programs here. From their history section:

In his first year, Morial [new president of NUL] worked to streamline the organization’s headquarters, secured over $10 million dollars in new funding to support affiliate programs, created the first Legislative Policy Conference “NUL on the Hill’, revamped the State of Black America report, created profitability for the annual conference, and secured a $127.5 million equity fund for minority businesses through the new markets tax credit program. He introduced and developed a stronger strategic direction of the organization with a “five point empowerment agenda’ that focuses on closing the equality gaps which exist for African Americans and other emerging ethnic communities in education, economic empowerment, health and quality of life, civic engagement, and civil rights and racial justice.

Anyone know a bit of the back story on the protesters?

Good Deal or Not? “a rooftop terrace w/ pool” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1010 Massachusetts Ave, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“This 1 BR, 1 BA condo, in the heart of downtown, features an open floor plan with a gorgeous kitchen with granite countertops and ss apps, floor to ceiling windows, gleaming hw floors, CAC, an in-unit w/ d, & a rooftop terrace w/ pool.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

I was gonna show a regular rowhouse today, but I couldn’t resist the rooftop pool. What do you think of the condo itself? Does $399,000 ($431.20 condo fee) sound reasonable for this 1 bed/1bath?

There is a 1 bed/1bath unit with den and a parking spot on a higher floor going for $530,000.

View More Stories