“Dear PoPville,

The new Dunkin’ Donuts on 14th and U St is NOW OPEN! I pass it every day, and I have been waiting months for it to open up. According to the notices that have been on their windows, they’d been training their staff for quite some time. So I was delighted to see that it was open this morning. The staff is super nice, but you can tell they’re still brand-spanking new and so are just a bit slow (they’re still learning).

And I think there is a special going on? I was running to catch the circulator, so I didn’t stay to find out what it was. But I bought a medium coffee and a flatbread sandwich and I only paid $3.05! So I think maybe the coffee’s free with purchase of a sandwich or something?

In any case, I’m happy Dunkin’ Donuts is in the neighborhood.”

This can be a pretty divisive topic – but I’m with you – this makes me very happy.


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: 1412 Florida Ave NW
Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: U Street
Original List Price: $849,900.
List Price at Contract: $849,900.
List Date: 07/15/2011
Days on Market: 37
Settled Sales Price: $805,000.
Settlement Date: 09/30/2011
Seller Subsidy: $0.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional
Original post is: here.
The listing can be seen: here. To see the photos, after opening the listing link, scroll through the arrows on the main pic. If you prefer, there is also a Homevisit virtual tour.

Pierre L’Enfant’s original plan for the Federal City ended to the north at Boundary Street, currently known as Florida Avenue. This explains why the even numbered properties on the south side of the 1400 block of Florida Ave NW are part of the legal subdivision of Old City #2. The odd numbered properties on the north side, however, are identified as being in the very wide ranging legal subdivision of Columbia Heights. Reviewing listings for the block reveals that real estate agents like to refer to this location with names such as “Dupont East”, or “Dupont North”, or, in the case of the subject property, “U Street”.

The 1400 block of Florida Avenue is an excellent study in the relatively rapid escalation of real estate prices in downtown DC since the late 1990’s. In 1995, a “lovingly restored and renovated 20 foot wide Edwardian townhome” located at 1459 Florida Ave NW sold for $181,500. with a $6000. subsidy towards closing costs. The market clearly started to smoke in 1999 when 1479 Florida Ave NW passed the $300k mark and went for $305,000. In 2001, a large home at 1469 Florida Ave NW set the bar at $450,000. The next big jump didn’t happen until 2003, when 1434 Florida Ave NW sold for $529,000. In 2004, 1475 Florida Ave NW sold for $660,000. In 2005, 1469 Florida Ave NW once again pushed prices and sold for $842,000. less a $17,000. subsidy. (Note that the 2005 listing describes 1469 Florida as being divided into three units.)

Continues after the jump. (more…)



Photo by PoPville flickr user mediaslave

I’m hearing rumors that Urban Outfitters is considering opening up a store in the U Street neighborhood. They currently have locations in Georgetown and Penn Quarter. So this week’s Friday Question of the Day is a simple one: Do you think Urban Outfitters would be a good fit for the U Street neighborhood? Personally I think they’d do very well on U Street.


From an email:

“Dodge City (917 U St. NW) is firing up its grill this Sunday, October 16th at 1PM in honor of our new Sunday opening hours! Every Sunday we will be projecting the Burgundy and Gold on the big screen and serving sausages from our friends at 13th Street Meats. We have the Hot Italian Pork and Lemon Basil Chicken varieties, as well as veggie burgers for sale while you enjoy the game or lounge on our patio!”



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The Craigslist ad says:

“Beautiful Art Deco Building with a fenced in lawn. Small, but quaint studio in the heart of Dupont. Walking distance to both Dupont and U street metros (10 mins each)

Studio includes an installed murphy bed, plantation shutters over two picturesque windows, a separate small eat in kitchen with stainless appliances and a full bathroom. Some furniture is provided, including a couch, a dresser, a pantry and a table and chairs from Crate and Barrell that seats 4. Coin laundry onsite in basement. Parking and utilities are not included.

First months rent and a $1350 security deposit will be due on signing of lease. Will be having an open house this Saturday. Email me by Friday and I will send out the information to all interested in viewing.

Need someone who keeps a clean home, respectful and pays rent on time. Be prepared for reference check and confirmation of employment. No smokers. No pets.”

Unfortunately there are no photos listed but this seems like it could be a good deal. $1350 sound right for this 450ft² studio?


This condo is located at 1740 U St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Awesome, renovated, and spacious 2BR/1BA condo w/ PARKING in Dupont/Adams Morgan!!! Great light! Pet-friendly! Fantastic location! Incredibly LOW CONDO FEE!! Granite counters, brand-new stainless appliances, Bosch W/ D, new windows, wood burning FP, recessed lighting, wood flooring, and MORE!”

You can find more info here and photos here.

$461,000 ($90 monthly condo fee) sound right for this 2 bed/1 bath?


Toucan Boutique opened up back in March ’10 at 1911 9th St, NW (just south of U St.) in the former Lettie Gooch space (now located at 1517 U Street, NW). I was sad to see for lease signs in the window yesterday. I spoke to the owner who said the space will still be open for a few more weeks and they’ll continue to do trunk shows. Down the road it is possible they may open another brick and mortar store. I think this is a big loss for 9th St, NW.


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