U Street

Good Deal or Not? “formal dining room with decorative plaster frieze” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1910 Vermont Ave, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Urban chic living in a DC Historic Landmark! This 3 BR/2.5 BA detached is ideal for entertaining. Features high ceilings, ebony hardwoods, new front windows, living room with fireplace, media room with fireplace & formal dining room with decorative plaster frieze. Gourmet kitchen with granite, stainless & 5-burner Jenn-Air cooktop. New Boiler. Plus, patio and PARKING.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This 3 bed/2.5 bath is going for $979,000. Sound realistic?

Movement at Horse’s Ass Award Nominee?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This building is at the corner of Vermont and V St. NW, between American Ice Co. and Duffy’s. Both it and the lot next to it have been vacant ever since I moved into the area late last year, but I never noticed the windows on the second floor until last week. They look to be brand new compared to the rest of the building, and they still have stickers on them. I immediately got excited and wanted to know more, but there’s no sign of any other changes. I was hoping maybe you knew something about the building or the lot next to it. I’m also curious about what the building used to be given the large oval where a sign once hung.”

This building has been reader nominated multiple times for a horse’s ass award. A reno here would be most welcome news. Anyone have any info or scuttlebutt?

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc – 1307 S St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. 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: 1307 S St NW
Legal Subdivision: Old City #2
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Dupont Logan U St
Original List Price: $989,500.
List Price at Contract: $889,000.
List Date: 09/10/2010
Days on Market: 126

Settled Sales Price: $840,000.

Settlement Date: 02/14/2011
Seller Subsidy: $10,000.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, after opening the listing link, click on the main pic and scroll through.

This listing stirred a discussion among commenters to the original Good Deal or Not (GDoN) post regarding whether DC real estate prices are swelling to bubble proportions. Elmer Fudd Gantry pondered, “The DC housing market may be overpriced, but I guarantee someone will shell out at least $850,000 for that location and a rental unit. I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s the way it is.” The Purchaser ultimately paid a net of $830,000., so not far off.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Love for Local Restaurant…Restaurant Judy

By Prince Of Petworth

Great timing on this email because I was just admiring the above sign at Restaurant Judy located at 2212 14th St NW (just south of Florida).

If you have love for a local restaurant that should get more attention than it does, just send me an email with a photo if possible to princeofpetworth(at)gmail

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to chime in to share some love for a local spot I don’t think gets enough attention. Restaurant Judy (on 14th just south of Florida) seems to almost always be pretty much empty. It’s not a fancy spot by any means but they have really tasty, really cheap food… I think they borrow a little from various Central American cuisines and everything we’ve had has been good. I also take it as a good sign that whenever I’ve been in there my party is the only non-native Spanish speaking table there. The fried plaintains are AMAZING, there is something totally awesome about their super creamy beans and you can’t beat $2 for one of their delicious pupusas. On our most recent trip we met “the” Judy and she was beyond friendly. She shared that they’re trying to put together some Happy Hour specials and I hope it draws some more people in. I know further up 14th and into Mt. P there is an abundance of Salvadoran eateries, but Judy’s is a neat spot that fills a bit of a niche down around U. I have no affiliation with this place in any way other than as a patron and hope that others will give Judy’s a shot as well.”

16 Weeks of Wine at Local 16 (1602 U St, NW)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ken_1001

From an email:

For the last 11 years, David Bueno’s expertise has been an asset to DC restaurants such as Taberna Del Alabardero and Cafe Milano. Now partner in Local 16, Bueno, a well-regarded DC sommelier, is instilling his love of wine in this U Street institution.

Starting in March, every Monday for 16 weeks Local 16 will offer a bottle of wine for $16. “We want to make good wine affordable,” explains Bueno. He plans to hand pick 16 interesting blends to feature that are not currently on the menu.

Also Local 16 will begin hosting wine tastings with local wine shops such as Ansonia Wines. The restaurant will offer complimentary appetizers. The first tasting will be held, Tuesday, March 29 and will be free and open to customers 21+.

Local 16 is located at 1602 U St, NW

Garden District Closing at 14th and S St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

Thought you’d like to know that the Garden District updated their Facebook page with the following:

“I regret to inform you Garden District, the business entity, has been closed.

I worked very hard to maintain it, but at a certain point it did not make sense to continue.

Thank you for supporting GD for 10 great yrs. It was a pleasure serving you.”

Garden District had moved from it’s original space at 14th and S (north east side, which is becoming a burger spot soon) to across the street and news of a closure had been circulating on and off for months. I am very sorry to see them go.

Subway Restaurant Coming to Corner of 14th and U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville resident Markusha

PoPville resident Markusha sums it up rather succinctly in an email titled, “A SUBWAY!!!”:

“For the corner space on 14 and U!!! What a waste!”

What do you guys think – is Subway a good fit for this location?

I wonder if this will affect plans for a proposed Waffle House.


Photo by PoPville resident Markusha

Props to Metropolitan Police Department

By Prince Of Petworth


View Larger Map

From MPD:

“On Tuesday, February 15, at 2:25 PM, a citizen, who was house sitting for a friend, returned to her home in the 1700 block of U St. NW, and found a suspect in her home. The suspect fled out of the back door and was apprehended a short distance later. The suspect was placed under arrest for Burglary 2. The Third District Detective’s office continues with the investigation.”

What a terrifying situation – awesome work that MPD caught the guy!

If you’ll excuse my language – I think I would shit myself if I came home and found a burglar in my house. I’d like to think I’d grab a golf club and start swinging but I suspect I might accidental fall on the floor and curl up in the fetal position mumbling incoherently…

Good Deal or Not? “Located on LL, but lots of sunshine” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 1621 T St, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“PRICE REDUCED BY $46,000! 2BEDRM. /2BATHRM. APT. BUYER/INVESTOR!!High Rental Income. Building built 1925/remodeled 1994. Apt. updated, looks like new. Located on LL, but lots of sunshine. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Within a few blocks from Dupont Circle, on “T”St. at its intersection with New Hampshire Ave, & “17th”, 1621 T St. , N. W. Tambien hablo ESPANOL”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 2 bed/2 bath has been on the market for 222 days. Asking price is now $379,000 ($312 condo fee) from original asking of $425,000. Considering it is a lower level what do you think it’ll actually go for?

Greater Goods Closing on U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I still miss the fish/pet store…

Thanks to all who forwarded the email:

Greater Goods Closing – 25 to 50% Off Everything Sale Through February 27th!

Dear Friends,
After almost 4 years at U Street we have decided to close the retail store. This wasn’t an easy decision but we did not feel we could continue under the current circumstances. There were a variety of factors contributing to our closing but in the end we could not acquire funding to grow or expand. Over the last year we have juggled our budget but it was painfully obvious that we could not get the shelves restocked quickly enough.

This has been a great experience for me, though of course I wish it would have ended differently. I learned a lot about my family, friends, and myself. I experienced tragedies and the greatest joys while running this place. I got to know interesting people doing interesting things. If I could have done it differently I would have made it better, but I would not have changed my decision to open our doors.

Thanks to all you folks who shopped and talked to me about whetever came to mind.
Sincerely,
DV

PS – I’m keeping the online store open and anything that doesn’t sell out will go to the website. Furnishings will go as well.

View More Stories