Thanks to a reader for sending the word. I also happened to note that the entrance was looking good at 457 Massachusetts Ave, NW. You can sign up for their alerts here (careful music plays).
Also of note nearby, the one holdout building (formerly home to the proposed Ledo Pizza) now has a for sale sign, I wonder if the owners regret not selling earlier…
Looks like crossfit gyms are becoming popular in DC. Last summer one opened at 1469 Church Street, NW in Logan Circle. This weekend, I followed up on a reader tip and indeed there is another one coming to 624 New York Ave, NW in the Mt. Vernon Square neighborhood. They plan to open up on May 3rd.
It’ll be interesting to see if all the development at CityVista (5th and K Streets, NW) links up with the Chinatown development on 7th.
This rental is located at 211 Morgan St, NW:
The Craigslist ad says:
“2br/1ba +HUGE EAT IN KITCHEN &private backyard
BEAUTIFUL STREET!
Newly renovated with everything new or upgraded. Amenities include washer dryer, central air, huge backyard, new floors, storage in basement and new kitchen cabinets.
1.5 blocks from Big Bear cafe. 7 blocks to chinatown, 10 blocks to capital hill. 8 blocks to Georgetown Law School. Short walk to new Safeway and beautiful park”
The reader writes:
“I was wondering if you could do a Good Deal or Not for this rental in Mount Vernon Square? I’m hoping to move into that area with a couple of friends and am wondering what your readers think of both the neighborhood and the $2000 price for a two bedroom, one bath. Do people living in the neighborhood feel like the proximity to Chinatown, CityVista, etc is worth the slightly sketchy feel?”
I’m not sure if the photos are enough to determine whether it’s worth the $2000 per month but I think this neighborhood is a great one and is going to continue to get better. If the area feels slightly sketch, be sure to walk around at various times of the day to see if this is a place where you and your roomates will feel comfortable living.
What do you guys think – does $2000 per month sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?
I personally like the look of this building but for this post I’m more intrigued by the description of the building from Mynewplace:
“Brand new apartments now available! Live at Downtown Washington DC’s first smoke-free apartment community, 425 Mass offers apartments with the perfect location in DC. Whether you have business at The Capitol, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle, or on K Street our downtown DC apartments put you in an ideal position. Your home is also just a few blocks from an endless array of shopping, dining, and entertaining. A downtown power lunch, an evening of theater, a stylish night out in Penn Quarter, or a basketball game at the Verizon Center it’s all within walking distance from 425 Mass.”
Do you think a smoke-free apartment community will be a big draw?
Well I’ve lived in DC coming on 13 years and I’ve never seen security like this before. These fences are crazy. They start at 7th and O Streets, NW and go all the way south to the Convention Center. Last week we spoke about all the road closures.
I swear I’m not trying to be provocative but am honestly curious – do you think they’d start them this far north if these buildings were condominiums and not public housing projects?
Or do you think they are mostly for protesters?
Well, let’s wish all the world leaders in town luck! And please don’t visit Ben’s Chili Bowl…
“Dear PoP,
Do you know what’s the big event happening from Monday through Wednesday at the Convention Center? The metro station is closed Sunday night through Wednesday morning by order of the Secret Service, and there’s no parking from this weekend through Wednesday for several blocks surrounding the convention center.”
From an email:
“*** The Nuclear Security Summit will take place from Monday, April 12, 2010, through Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.***
There will be significant disruptions to traffic during this time, and citizens should plan for unexpected delays downtown, and to use alternate routes to get where they are going.
Security and transportation plans have been developed by a partnership of local and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies. Road closures, no parking areas, and changes to public transportation routes and public works services will be necessary during the NSS. Additions or updates to this plan may be made prior to the start of the event.
Lots more info including road closures after the jump. (more…)
Also of interest is some info about the artists. From a press release:
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) in collaboration with the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District, Office of Planning, Lowe Enterprises and community representatives commissioned sculptors, David Black and Ethan Kerber, to create two dynamic sculptures for the intersection of 5th and K Streets, NW. DCCAH worked closely with the developers to ensure that the two works were fully integrated into this emerging vibrant streetscape. “One of the missions of the Commission is to take art to the people and not limit it to galleries and museums,” says Gloria Nauden, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “Art should be found everywhere, especially where residents and visitors gather. Ethan Kerber and David Black’s sculptures have enlivened the corner of 5th & K Streets for all who pass by.”
Busboys and Poets owner, Andy Shallal continues to say, “Public art is a way to connect those living in a neighborhood with each other’s humanity. It soothes the soul, lifts the spirit and touches everyone who passes by in a way nothing else can. Having such grand art next to busboys and poets has forever defined the corner of 5th and K, NW in the boldest of terms.”
David Black is internationally renowned for his monumental pavilion-like public sculptures. Black’s dynamic, architectural enclosures interact with the surrounding environment creating movement and interacting with each unique environment. Black installed Lift Off in November which is adjacent to the 5th and K Busboys and Poets outdoor cafe. According to Black, the sculpture was inspired by children flying kites on the National Mall. “It’s to appear kinetic as one passes by–reflecting the spirit and vibrancy of the new neighborhood,” said Black. This piece was commissioned to encourage people to use and interact with the public plaza. Life Off includes a love seat for anyone needing a respite or enjoys a quick lunch outside under the shadows of Lift Off.
Inspiration by emerging artist and graduate student Ethan Kerber was installed in mid-March. Inspiration is an urban and contemporary sculpture made of five steel panels and was installed to camouflage the in-take vent just north of the Busboys & Poets entrance on 5th Street. The decorative grate is a unique alternative to the standard garage grate and punctuates and enhances the modern lines of City Vista’s architecture. According to Kerber, “DCCAH has empowered me to realize my creativity in a unique and large-scale way. My sculpture is rooted in the techniques of iron-workers, jewelers, sculptors and public artists. It celebrates the many paths we all walk in life.”
When: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 1 pm
Reception at Busboys and Poets at 2 pm
Photo by PoPville Flickr user theraspberryexpress
From WETA:
“WETA is thrilled that Washington, D.C., is one of six cities chosen to be taped by the Antiques Roadshow crew this summer. They’ll be coming to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on August 21.
A random selection for free tickets will be conducted in May 2010.
All tickets will be distributed in advance and tickets will not be available at the event site.
Tickets to the Antiques Roadshow event are free, but are very limited, so they are distributed through a random drawing. The deadline to enter online is Monday, April 19 at 11:59 pm. Register early!
If you haven’t already, APPLY FOR TICKETS NOW“
I’m still surprised how little buzz the opening of this new spot has generated. Perhaps they just don’t have the PR savvy of nearby The Passenger? Bar 7 (careful, link plays loud music) is located at 1015 1/2 7th Street, NW. When I’ve peeked my head in the spot looks quite nice. For those who have stopped how would you compare/contrast it with the Passenger?
New York Ave and New Jersey Avenue NW
We haven’t played this one in a while and I will take a reader’s advice by posting it in the middle of the day to give everyone a fair shot. You’re gonna need some serious skills for this one – not only do you have to say where I am, but you also have to say what the building is? First person to get both right wins a PoP t-shirt (I’m out of size small though…).
And just out of curiosity – do you dig the building?