“Dear PoP,

I saw that there was a dumpster behind the long vacant apartment building at 143 Rhode Island Ave NW in Bloomingdale and work appears to be underway. Looks like new permits have been filed as well. Was curious if you knew what the plans were and thought you might be interested in making this a post. It’s such a beautiful building will be glad to see it put to new use.”

I’ve been getting a few emails like this one. Anyone know the story? I’m assuming it’ll be condos but I’ll def. update as construction progresses.


“Dear PoP,

Had a chat with the owner of TNT Laundromat [104 Rhode Island Avenue NW by 1st St, NW] in Bloomingdale this morning. Sunday 1/30 was their last day open. According to her “The neighborhood is changing, and sometimes you have to move on. This is something we’ve been fighting for some time.” I’m not sure what’s going to replace TNT. But it’s going to be a lot harder for those folks without washer/dryers in their homes to do laundry.”

Anyone know of another laundromat nearby?

Ed. Note: Still no word on when Boundary Stone will open a few storefronts down.


I’m happy to report that Bloomingdale/Ledroit Park/Truxton Circle residents will be getting a new coffee house very soon. The Florida Coffee House will be opening (hopefully) next Sat. at 220 Florida Ave, NW:


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I ran into one of the owners (who was super nice) and was able to get a sneak peek. It is a very small space that can probably fit about 15. There will be a few outdoor spaces available out back when the weather warms up. In addition to coffee, pastries and some other eats will also be available at the coffee house.

Local residents will recognize that this space is only 1 1/2 blocks away from the very well regarded Big Bear Cafe located at 1st and R St, NW.

The Florida Coffee House looks like it can become a very quaint neighborhood spot. I don’t think people will travel miles to visit, like some do for Big Bear, but I do think this new spot will serve the neighborhood(s) very well. I’m super eager to try out the coffee. And they’ll have free wifi too!

While final touches were ongoing at the time of my visit, you can see a couple of photos of the inside after the jump. (more…)



Photo by Justin Burkhardt

“Dear PoP,

Horrible fire on the NE corner of 2nd and Thomas St, NW around 4pm Monday afternoon.


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I don’t know how it started or if there were people inside; haven’t seen anyone (civilians) be taken out; very scary and sad; under control but flames still teeming from the roof. It started in 1923 and spread to 1925; firemen burst into 1927 as well but not sure if that house (3rd from end) received damage from the fire. Scary.”

Another reader writes,

“All I know was that the fire started in the basement. No one was hurt; the person in the adjacent house was treated for minor smoke inhalation, as well as some of the firefighters.”


Photo by Justin Burkhardt

More photos after the jump: (more…)


This home is located at 100 W St, NW:


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The flier says:

“DRASTIC PRICE REDUCTION. A charming 4-level Victorian corner lot. MAIN RESIDENCE(3-level-3382 SF) and SEPARATE 2-BD garden UNIT(1064 SF)with potential $1800-$2000 rental income. Main residence offers stunning floor plan with original attributes. This completely and tastefully renovated building presents many new infra-structural attributes. Garage, Expanded beautifully landscaped front garden and more.”

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

Wow, the woodwork looks pretty amazing. Originally going for $1,299,900 it is now on the market for $1,049,900. What do you think this 6 bed/4.5 bath will go for?


Thanks to a reader for sending a brief update from the Bloomingdale blog from owner Brian Brown:

“Historic signed off on the architectural design of the replacement garage doors yesterday and those are being ordered.

Look for the ABRA application to come up in one of the next couple of ANC meetings.”

I also noticed some permits had gone up at 1626 North Capitol Street, NW:


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Back in July we learned after an ANC meeting that it hoped to become:

“Restaurant consist of 3 levels. lounge, banquet hall and restaurant. Late night menu will go until 2am, they will also offer Sunday brunch.”

The permits deal with demo and window replacement. More info as construction progresses.


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: 23 Randolph Place NW

Legal Subdivision: Eckington
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Bloomingdale
Original List Price: $519,999.
List Price at Contract: $474,985.
List Date: 06/26/2010
Days on Market: 118
Settled Sales Price: $472,000.
Settlement Date: 11/30/2010
Seller Subsidy: $5,000.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: FHA

Original GDoN is: here.

The Pre and Post-renovation listings can be seen: here. Check out the virtual tour.

I live quite close to this house and have sold three other houses (same size and design) on this block over the years. This was one of the last hold out vacant properties on the block. It was rumored to have been vacant for over twenty years due to an ongoing disagreement over an estate. I had also heard rumors that at some point there was a fully grown tree that had sprung up through the middle of the property. One of my neighbors insists that was never the case, though. A few years ago the city went in, secured the property, and again, unsubstantiated rumor, put a new roof on the property.

Continues after the jump. (more…)


This converted rowhouse is located at 1821 1st St NW:


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The flier says:

“FHA Approved. Be the first to see. .. Recently renovated from top to bottom. Two level living with gorgeous granite, solid —- cabinets, shiny hardwood floors, and high end bathroom finishes. First level has two bright bedrooms and two full baths. Enjoy tranquility from your rooftop deck and spacious owner’s suite, with full bath.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

What do you think of the reno? Unit 2 is a 3 bed/3 bath going for $525,000 ($180 condo fee). And Unit 1 is a 3 bed/2.5 bath going for $499,999 ($180 condo fee) you can see photos of that unit here. Good deals or not?


“Dear PoP,

You should do a story about how the G8 line on Rhode Island Ave (through bloomingdale and shaw) is killing but stops. It is already lacking in bus service, with huge outages between trips and now they are knocking out bus stops so when you are running to catch one of the few buses that come you don’t stand a chance any longer to catch it. I saw one last week that was near the Timor Bodega that was going away and I saw another one last night by the Red Toque that is going away, insanity.”

Anyone else noticing these bus stops vanishing? Is it affecting your commute?


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