In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland.  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: 213 Rock Creek Church Rd NW

Original List Price: $599,000.

List Price at Contract: $529,000.

List Date: 9/11/2008

Days on Market: 203

Settled Sales Price: $520,000.

Settlement Date:  06/12/2009

Seller Subsidy:  $15,000.

Bank Owned?: No. 

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Listing History: Changed hands as an estate property in need of work in April 2004 for $272,500.  Next was purchased with all the Bells and Whistles in January 2005 for $549,000.  Looks like the current Sellers took a bit of a hit, at a net of $505,000. this time.  It was not identified as a short sale (which means they did not need to get the bank involved despite selling for less than they did in ’05).

Original GDoN Post is:  Here.

Recent Listing is: Here.  To see more pics, click the arrows on the main picture (only available on the second version of the listing).  You’ll see two listings on top of each other.  The first one expired and the second was the same property entered back into the system.

Over the past several months, we’ve looked at quite a few Petworth properties, which range tremendously in price, condition, and that all important factor, proximity to Metro.  This property was featured as a “Good Deal or Not” (GDoN) post after the price had been lowered substantially from its highest pricing point.  It was interesting to see what people had to say about a renovated property in this location priced over half a million dollars.  Generally, I thought it fared pretty well comment-wise despite a, “I think the house has to be larger and/or closer to the metro to fetch over $500k”, here and there.

It’s great to see houses in all conditions actively selling.  Sales like this present the opportunity for someone to move in and not have to spend their time and money renovating.  Seeing that someone else paid over $500,000. for a renovated property in the neighborhood can be encouraging to those who are in the process or plan to do a lot of updating.  Subsequently, another wave of houses that have been lingering in bad condition are getting lived in again.  Good news all around.


The most bizarre power outage has hit my block.  About half my house is out and half works.  I’ve never experienced half a power outage before. My whole block is also facing a partial power outage.  Anyone else hit by this?


Mrs. Peron Williams right (whose husband was an ANC rep who strongly supported this development) and Muriel Bowser cutting the ribbon along with CM Graham, Mayor Fenty and Chris Donatelli

On Wednesday the new building, Park Place, above the Petworth metro was officially unveiled. It brought out quite the representation from the DC government. In addition to Mayor Fenty, Council members Bowser, Graham and Kwame Brown were in attendance.

Some highlights from the remarks. Mayor Fenty said the day signaled that “economic development on Georgia Avenue had finally arrived”. He continued, “the days when stagnation reigned on Georgia Avenue are over”. And he gave a lot of praise and recognition to the Donatelli (the developers) family for their vision. “Donatelli is not afraid to invest in neighborhoods that other people have written off”.

Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser said, “My breath was literally taken away when I stepped onto this roof”. She continued, “This is just the start for things to come on Georgia Ave”. She also noted that this project captured the best of green development as it clusters people above the metro with easy access to commute to work. Bowser also lauded the community for their involvement in supporting this project.  Before the community got involved this space was slated to become a municipal property.

Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham said, “Who would’ve thought that we would have this kind of building at Georgia and New Hampshire? The neighborhood knew that this building could be here, that’s who knew”. Graham also noted that the project had “the benefits of transit oriented development in the best sense”.

Sadly, I passed out a bit from the blaring sun when Council member Kwame Brown said a few words. But he basically echoed the previous comments. I revived a bit when Chris Donatelli took the mic and started mentioning the coming retail. (Some info I found out after the official remarks.) There will be a cafe/coffee spot, 2 sit down restaurants (one from Gillian Clark formerly of Colorado Kitchen and the other possibly a Thai/Sushi spot). He said the retail may resemble some of the spots on U Street (in the Ellington building) as some of those folks are considering opening up second or third spots in Petworth. There are also discussions to bring a wine store in most likelihood the folks behind D’vines. There will be 8 retail spots in total.

Given the current state of the economy, I think we are very lucky that this project was completed. The place looks pretty amazing. It really sinks in when you hear Mayor Fenty say, “I remember the day when new development hadn’t been built on Georgia Ave. in like 80 years”.

As promised after the jump you can find some photos from inside along with a pricing sheet. (more…)


Wow, that was fast. Kiko’s had opened up in March at 3703 14th Street, NW. Thanks to an alert reader for sending the news:

“You know, those of us in North Columbia Heights had high hopes for Kiko’s Chicken at Spring and 14th. It was disappointing. Last night we noticed that it is closed and has a sign up that a new Peruvian chicken place will arrive in August.”

Hopefully the Peruvian spot will have more success.


This home is located at 4121 Arkansas Ave, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“This great home is located minutes to the Metro and buses, and is adjacent to the entrance of picturesque Rock Creek Park. The open floorplan ensures gracious entertaining w/ gleaming hardwood floors, and features a beautifully executed new kitchen with granite counters and S/S appliances. As an added bonus, the home has a sunroom, a large basement with full bath, and 2 parking spaces.”

More info found here and a virtual tour found here.

This is the home that is located across the street from today’s house of the day. The virtual tour looks pretty fantastic but the reader cautions that the some of the rooms are actual quite small. While the listing says it is located in Columbia Heights it actually falls in that border area between Crestwood and Petworth. It’s been on the market 205 days. Originally it was going for $515,000 but is now on the market for $459,900. Does that sound reasonable?


The Park Place apartments located at the intersection of New Hampshire and Georgia, above the Petworth Metro, will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wed. with Mayor Fenty, CM Bowser and CM Graham at 3:30 pm. There will be a reception following from 4:30-6:30. You can enter through the main entrance on Quincy. Some units will be available to tour. I’ll take photos and post the monthly rent when I get the info sheet. I’ll also be updating with more retail options as they become available.

Fence is down on the units in the back as well:


I spoke with some of the construction workers now fixing up the Petworth Eyesore, at the corner of Upshur and New Hampshire, and it seems like the new owner who bought the place in January is gonna fix it up better.

First, they’re gonna align the top addition correctly, by moving back the walls which are now hanging over the brick. Then they’re gonna add brick to the 3rd floor popup, making the whole house brick, a welcomed change from the ugly vinyl of most popups.

They’ve also cleaned out the trash behind the house and are taking out some of the more poorly planned interior work. Sadly, the barbed wire still encircles the house.


About a month ago I mentioned that a new bar was coming to Georgia Ave but I wasn’t able to provide any details at the time. I’m happy to report I got the details Monday evening. I met with owner Bill Dean and his associate Ted Trabue at the space Monday evening to learn more about their plans.


Ted Trabue left, Bill Dean right

Well, enough with the suspense. It’s going to be a proper sports bar to be called The Green Room. Mr. Dean explained that it will become “a real quality sports bar/pub, serving draft beers, and providing plenty of televisions to watch the game”. There will be a small menu serving items like sliders and wings. The look will include exposed brick walls and possibly a small deck out back.

Here’s the time frame – once they get the proper permits in three weeks or so construction will begin. Construction should take 3-4 months with the hope of opening in time for the NFL playoffs or at least the Superbowl.

Both Mr. Dean and Mr. Trabue were super enthusiastic about the project. However, in addition to Mr. Trabue, Martin Corboy will also be consulting on the project. Mr. Corboy is behind the Blaguard (in Adams Morgan) and McFadden’s (downtown). Mr. Dean also has experience in the industry as a co-founder of the Eye Bar at 17th and I St. as well as the American Tap Room in Reston.

Mr. Dean explained that this is a long term investment in the community for him. And indeed this is only the begining for Mr. Dean and his partners. Mr. Dean also purchased the two adjoining properties at 3630 and 3628 Georgia Ave. Initially there were plans to combine all three properties into a media lounge (including broadcasting capabilities) with a bar on the first floor. Thus the name The Green Room for the bar. The media lounge would be housed on the upper floors. Unfortunately the economy made this ambitious plan a bit unrealistic at the moment. So the idea now is to start with the sports bar and reassess in a few years. (And during that time he will continue to own the adjoining properties one of which is currently a beauty salon.) Mr. Dean says that he plans to be a presence in the area for at least 50 years.

Personally I’m pretty psyched about getting a sports bar. Sound good to you guys?


“Dear PoP,

I have a nomination for the Jackass award. The monstrosity on New Hampshire and Upshur. They have someone out their right now putting up a 6 foot tall chain link fence with barbed wire on top. I am sure that will look really good to people who might be considering a move to the neighborhood.”

While I think the reader was thinking of the Horse’s Ass Award, I would say this one warrants a jackass award as well. I can’t walk past this monstrosity on the corner of New Hampshire and Upshur without shedding a tear. And just when you think it can’t get any worse, well this fence goes up. I’m sure it must be temporary but it’s still rather unpleasant at the moment. I’ve seen tons of houses being renovated and this is the only one that I’ve seen that requires a fence with barbed wire. Ugh. Maybe in two more years it’ll get finished…


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