Shaw

Horse’s Ass Award Nominee – 12th and S St, NW (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you know anything about the property on the corner of 12th and s nw? it doesn’t seem like there’s been any progress for months and it’s starting to get vandalized (broken window, graffiti).”

Sadly, we’ve looked at this property on many occasions, last in March 2009. I dare say it looked better then (see photo below). I have to agree with the reader here – this definitely deserves a horse’s ass award in my opinion. Do any readers who live nearby happen to know what’s going on? Is it a case of the developer/builder simply running out of money?

It’s a great location so I’d imagine if it ever got fixed up all the way it’d be rented/sold in a heartbeat. Well, in the meantime we’ll have to add it to the list…

Dear PoP – What’s Going on with 9th Street Retail?

By Prince Of Petworth


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“Dear PoP,

I’m trying to find out if anyone knows what’s been done with the building that was formerly The Space at 903 N Street. It closed a while back and now that EFN Lounge is also closing on 9th Street I’m sad to see these local businesses go. I was hoping perhaps these spaces might be available for lease or sale. Anyone know anything?”

Anyone know of any plans for these spaces? I couldn’t help but note that the old Vegetate space at 1414 9th St, NW also sits vacant. Do you think this section is regressing? Ed. Note: By regressing I mean a return to vacant storefronts. No more no less.

The 5pm Post – Basil Bonanza and Potluck Cook-Off

By Prince Of Petworth

If you have an event, fundraiser or happy hour you’d like featured on the 5pm Post, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com

From an email:

What better way to cook with an unlimited supply of free basil than participating at the Marion Street Garden Basil Bonanza?

“ City Blossoms, in conjunction with the Runcible Spoon, is hosting a basil-themed potluck and cook-off. Drop by the garden (on Marion St. between P & Q Streets, NW) and pick up any amount of basil you need on Monday, August 23. Then, go home, cook your thing (it can be a dessert, main dish, appetizer, whatever), and bring it back on Wednesday, August 25.

1. Come Monday (August 23) from 4pm to 7pm or Wednesday (August 25) from 4pm to 6:30 to pick basil (thai, genovese, lemon, and box).
2. Prep basil in a tasty way (beverage, appetizer, main dish, dessert, whatever!) for 5 or more people and bring the dish to share on Wednesday, August 25th from 6:30-8:30pm.
3. Eat lots of whatever other people bring.
4. Enjoy the loveliness of Marion Street Garden and meet other happy basil fanatics.

There will be awards for the best dishes, so cook with your best effort. Good luck!”

Huge Renovation Restarts in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

This great building is located on Q St, NW just east of 7th. Work had started a long time ago but then abruptly stopped. Looks like they’re back on track. I had no idea they were putting such a huge addition on the back. Fortunately it looks like they’ve been able to save the facade. It looks like the pop up will blend in rather well. I’ll be sure to update as construction progresses.

Good Deal or Not? “rich in Victorian architecture” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This condo is located at 626 Q St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Tired of cookie-cutter condos lacking charm & character?Try this stylish & charming 2 BR/2.5BA unit in the heart of thriving Shaw area. Occupying 2 lower levels of a completely renovated 1905 rowhouse, w/ beaming H/Ws, granite, SS apps, open floorplan, new windows, baths & much more. Beautiful tree-lined street rich in Victorian architecture Q just 3 blks to Metro”

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

What do you think of the condo itself? Do you think the price cut from $414,900 to $399,900 ($68 condo fee) is more realistic?

Good Deal or Not? “Custom Maple Built-in Shelving” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2265 12th Pl, NW:


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The flier says:

“RENOVATED FEDERAL GEM, A BRILLIANT 2-BR CONDO ALTERNATIVE, IN HOT AREA OF HIGHER PRICED CONDOS! HAVE PRIVATE, FENCED YARD W/ NO CONDO FEE! OPEN, CONTEMPORARY FEEL PLUS AMBIENCE FR EXPOSED BRICK WALLS & LIV RM FPL. KIT W/ SILESTONE CTRS & STAINLESS STEEL APPLS. MASTER BR W/ VAULTED CEILINGS & LOFT FOR STORAGE. CUSTOM MAPLE BUILT-IN SHELVING. REAR YARD FENCE CAN BE OPENED TO CREATE OFF-STREET PKG.”

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

Despite the demerit of including a description in all CAPS, what do you think of the house itself? Think this 2 bed/1.5 bath will go for $529,000?

Dear PoP – Has Bella Cafe Opened?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any word on Bella Cafe on Florida? I see they’re open, wondering about the menu, etc.”

I’m happy to report that Bella Cafe has opened at 900 Florida Ave, NW (by the 9:30 Club) in the old Asmara Cafe space. I stopped by and the place is looking great though there are not tons of bells and whistles.

I took some photos of the menu after the jump. Anyone check them out yet? (more…)

Beau Thai Open at NJ and R St, NW – Early Reviews In

By Prince Of Petworth

There’s been a lot of anticipation about the opening of Beau Thai at the corner of NJ and R St, NW. We took a sneak peek at the menu here. So here’s the early word from a few readers:

“I stopped in for some dinner after work, and can at least say that the Pad Se Ew is delicious. They were only taking cash yesterday, but said they expected to be taking credit cards either today or tomorrow.”

and

“It was good. Nothing special, but very good. You really can’t get Thai food wrong though, I’ve never had inedible Thai food. The owner is the sister of Thai X-ing, they both learned to cook from their mother and are all originally from Thailand.”

Any other early reviews yet? Remember so far it is only take out but hopefully in Sept. sit down will be an option as well.

Update on New Pop Up on 11th St, NW just south of Florida Ave

By Prince Of Petworth

Last time we spoke about this building a reader who lives nearby said it was not fair to judge without showing the block as a whole. I went back to check on the progress and this time I took lots of different angles. Given the new shots – now what do you think at this still early stage – think it’ll fit on the block?

It may be too early to tell but hopefully these new photos put it in proper perspective.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Construction Near Howard Theater in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

What’s going on with all the construction in the small triangular corner lot between the Howard Theater and Florida Ave NW? Is there going to be a building there or are they just going to landscape it? Maybe it has something to do with the work getting started up again on the Howard Theater? It is August, after all, and wasn’t it supposed to start sometime this month?”

From the photo I took it seems that DDOE is simply removing/repairing a leaky underground storage tank. Which I suppose is very good news. I would be surprised if a building went above it but I’ll be sure to keep an eye on the space. Anyone else hear specific plans about this little lot? I did hear that work at the Howard Theater was supposed to resume soon but let’s just say that I’ve become very skeptical about those timeframes. I feel like we’ve been burned so many times with false starts. Though I’ll certainly post when construction resumes. In the meantime I suppose fixing a nearby leaky underground storage tank is a good first step…

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