Shaw

Good Deal or Not? New Building Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This new building is located at 1910 8th Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Ultimate perfection is what BlueSkyHousing had in mind when they constructed The Stella Polaris Condominium. A newly constructed sun drenched, 5 Unit upscale Condominium Building. It features 2-BR & 2-FB, open floor plan with 10 ft ceilings, Stainless-Steel Appliances, Granite Counters, MBR Suites. Security System, Video Entry System and Parking. JUST REDUCED by $ 20k!!!!”

More info and photos found here.

I’ve been monitoring this building pretty closely and am excited we get to take a look inside. I think the location is pretty good as there is a lot of movement on the 9th and U St. area and we’ve seen in the last few weeks. This is near the flea market that is going to get redeveloped plus the wine bar, consignment shop, and new tavern that are all slated to come in nearby. But anyway, back to the actual condo. How do you think it looks? How do you think the building itself looks?

Does $499,999 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2 bath?

What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

There were a bunch of random barrels inside the old O Street Market off 7th Street, NW. God knows why they’re there. Any ideas?

An Update on Some New Buildings We’ve Looked At

By Prince Of Petworth

The building that will house Meridian Pint at the corner of 11th and Park is starting to look good. How do you think it looks so far?

And the new row house/condos on the 2100 block of 11th Street near V is getting close to finished. I kinda dig the big windows. Do you think it’s starting to look good and will fit on the block or is too early to tell?

Howard Theater Renovation Update

By Prince Of Petworth

This former Horse’s Ass Award winner is slowly coming along. Work has been done to reveal the original 1910 facade. I just found the above You Tube video from the Howard Theater’s slick Web site. If you don’t watch the whole video be sure to forward to the end so you can see a rendering of what it’s supposed to look like. If it comes close it’s gonna be sweet. The theater is located at 620 T Street, NW and is slated to be completed in 2010 to celebrate its 100 year anniversary.

Judging Restaurants and Bars – Portico

By Prince Of Petworth

Portico is located at 1914 9th Street, NW. I’ve walked by a few times and couldn’t remember if it was new or not. There is a bit more info from two commenters on Yelp. One says:

“Portico, has returned after a three year hiatus…The original owner, Mike, is back. He is Eritrean and the Italian influence shows through in the menu which includes a lot of pasta dishes. The bar/restaurant itself is in a basement with a lounge/live music area upstairs.”

The other says:

“The crowd was mixed gentrifiers and immigrants, which was nice as it’s hard to find places where the groups commingle even though we live side by side… My friend predicts Portico will be a hipster bar in six months.”

Anyone check it out? Any fans?

Something’s Coming and Late in Reporting Going

By Prince Of Petworth

This new construction is located at the corner of Georgia (just before it becomes 7th and newly christened Chuck Brown Way) and Florida Ave.

I’m not sure what’s going in but there’s seems to be a lot of space for some ground floor retail, I’ll keep my eye on this spot.

And in very late reporting, I just noticed the sign saying Cafe 1612 closed in early August. Cafe 1612 was located below the results Gym on U Street. I never actually ate there. Were there any fans? Any scuttlebutt on what may go into the space?

DC North Has Details on U Street Flea Market Redevelopment Plans

By Prince Of Petworth

The great publication DC North has some great articles this month. But one that really jumped out at me was their scoop on the U Street Flea Market, located at 9th and U, development plans. They report:

“Per an application for Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits filed with the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in July, the Jazz will bring some 153,770 square feet of new apartments and retail to the current site of Shaw’s U Street Flea Market. In total, WMATA owns three separate properties between Seventh and Ninth streets on the north side of Florida Avenue, totaling nearly 29,000 square feet, above the Green Line tunnel linking the Howard-Shaw and U Street-Cardozo stations.”

Sadly, the online version doesn’t have a photo of the rendering so be sure to pick up a paper copy outside the metro for that.

This section of U Street is on fire. First we learned of Dickson Wine Bar coming to 903 U Street, then we recently learned about the the tavern coming to the corner of 9th and U with rumors of Marvin/Gibson involvement. And now this.

I suspect some folks may miss the Flea Market. Even though I almost got my ass kicked for taking photos there, I do kinda dig it and it does seem to be a popular spot. The DC North article also says that there will be “three public, open-air plazas along Eight Street, Ninth Street and Florida Avenue” so perhaps those plazas can absorb some of the market.

Dig the plans?

Anyone Check This New Cafe Out Yet? ADU-Genet Cafe & Hookah

By Prince Of Petworth

I just noticed that the ADU-Genet Cafe & Hookah spot has opened up at 811 Florida Ave., NW. I actually thought the hookah fad was over but also noticed someone smoking a hookah pipe at the Shawarma King’s new outdoor seating, located at 1654 Columbia Rd, NW. The outdoor spot looks really nice especially on this section of Columbia Road.

Good Deal or Not? “Beamed cathedral ceilings” Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1547 4th Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Spread out in this sun filled, spacious federal style townhome in the heart of Shaw! Luxury awaits you as you enter this renovated home to its original historic charm! Hardwoods, exposed brick, beamed cathedral ceilings and so much more!”

More info and photos found here.

I think this is a good looking house. Though, it’s interesting that it is three levels but only has 2 bedrooms. What do you think of the renovations/photos? Does $479,900 sound reasonable?

View More Stories