Petworth

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option

By Prince Of Petworth

This apartment is located above the Petworth Metro at Georgia and Quincy, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Set atop the Georgia Avenue / Petworth Metro station, Park Place provides unmatched convenience with underground parking, generous building amenities, street-level shops and services and new stores and restaurants nearby. You’ll find spectacular design, modern comfort, and an established, friendly community.”

Ed. Note: Park Place is a PoP advertiser. However, lots of people ask me about this property and bring it up when we look at other rentals nearby (like yesterday). So I figured it was time to give it its own post – does $1680 sound reasonable for a 1 bedroom here?

Dear PoP – What’s This Mystery Building? Paul Robeson School of Growth and Development

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I hope you or your readers can help me solve a mystery. I live a block from the Paul Robeson School of Growth and Development on Spring Road in Columbia Heights/Petworth. I believe it used to serve children with fairly intense social and emotional disabilities, but in the 4+ years I’ve lived nearby, I’ve never seen anyone enter or exit. None of my neighbors know anything about it, and I haven’t been able to find any recent information online. What’s the scoop? Is the school still open?”

Dang, I know we talked about this once back in the day but I can’t seem to find it. Anyone remember what the is the situation with these buildings?

Not be mistaken with the nearby former Jewish home for the aged.

Corehaus Designs is Looking Amazing in Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

When I first previewed Corehaus at 825 Upshur Street, NW I could tell it was gonna be cool. But having just checked it out again, it is no longer simply cool – it is freaking awesome! This retail spot has official become a must visit store, not just for those who live nearby, but for everyone. Again, photos can do a much better job than words in explaining this great store. If you haven’t checked them out yet, put them on the list.

Groundbreaking for New Condos at 3801 Georgia Ave, NW – Mayor Fenty, CM Bowser, Chris Donatelli

By Prince Of Petworth


From left to right Colbert, Bogdan, Fenty, Donatelli, Bowser

Back on January 26th Mayor Fenty was nearby at 3813/3815 Georgia Ave., NW to celebrate the launch of the new Billy Simpson’s Restaurant (Ed. Note: not officially named yet and anticipating opening in 9 months) from the owners of Marvin. The good news keeps on coming for the resurgence of this section of Georgia Ave. Mayor Fenty, CM Bowswer (Ward-4), Chris Donatelli (Developer), Eric Colbert (Architect) and Tom Bogdan (Construction) were all in attendance to break ground for this new project.

It will be a 49 unit condo located at 3801 Georgia Ave, NW (at the corner of Quincy and Georgia). Units will include 1 bedrooms, 1bed + den, and 2 bedrooms (with prices ranging from roughly $300s – $400s. It will be a six story building with construction expected to take 16-18 months.

One other piece of nearby news that I heard was from the Park Place retail space (across the street). Former Colorado Kitchen’s owner, Gillian Clark, new restaurantThe Meeting House, is looking to be back on track. It’s still not 100% guaranteed but progress has been made. Stay tuned.

Lots more photos of 3801 groundbreaking after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? “Wide open spaces!” Edition (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 516 Buchanan Street, NW:


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The flier says:

“Completely renovated! Wide open spaces! HWFs, granite & stainless kitchen, custom finishes. Deck off the family room overlooks a landscaped lawn with flowering trees and convenient off-street parking for 2. Light pours through 3 skylights and transom windows throughout the upper level. Finished LL w/ enormous 4th BR, den, full bath & extra storage.”

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

The reader writes:

“516 Buchanan St NW just went on the market after month-long rehab, and I must say that the results really impressed me. I live a few doors down, and I’ve watched this house for the last couple of years as it went from rental property to vacant to rebirth. Prior to being rehabbed it had been on the market in as-is condition, and on at least one occasion it looked like it was going to sell as such. Eventually it went into foreclosure and was purchased for under $200k. The rear addition is new, and having watched the construction work I can tell you that the developer did much more than a facelift on the interior. I’ve been inside and the place really looks fantastic, and if I didn’t already own my house I would have been hugely tempted to buy the house before it was rehabbed and done the same job myself. I’m wondering what PoPville thinks of the job and whether it’s a good deal.”

What do you guys think – does $525,000 sound reasonable?

Dear PoP – Developers/Flippers are Buying all the Good Homes

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville Flickr user awmiller

“Dear PoP,

My fiancée and I have been looking for houses for a year now. Petworth is one of our 1st neighborhood choices as we love the balance between urban convenience and green space/parks (we have been looking at houses below Allison St). However, our search has been very frustrating as we have lost house after house to real estate investor who swoop in and offer all cash (I think we have submit and lost offers on 10+ homes now). We have offered over the listing price multiple times now but cash rules everything around us(?). We have since expanded our search to include other “edge” or developing neighborhoods but it is definitely a city-wide trend. From a neighborhood perspective, I guess it is a good thing (depending who you speak to) because investors will make improvements and then flip the house to others, thus improving the housing stock of a neighborhood and driving up home values but we can’t seem to win even though we have what I think to be an adequate budget (up to $450k) for the area.

I don’t know who these investors are (I have created a mental image of a Porsche convertible driving, latte sipping, sun glass wearing, Louis Vutton bag holding, toy poodle having, trust fund baby to help me cope) but in all reality it has been pretty sobering.

I guess my question is, are there any other aspiring home owners out there feeling the same frustration and does anyone know when a regular Joe with financing and not cash will be able to win?”

I feel like I have heard similar stories in Petworth, Columbia Heights and Bloomingdale. To be honest I’m shocked that you have been unable to close on a property in Petworth for $450k. I hope that if you persevere the right home will come through for you. But for others out there shopping around, have you noticed that developers/flippers are getting all the “good” homes?

New Art Gallery/Exhibit Space Coming to 4807 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I had the pleasure of chatting with owner/artist Ajani Hobson yesterday afteroon. Ajani, 40, moved to DC five years ago from Richmond, VA. His vision for the space is “a multi-purpose space with workshops, art classes, open mics, and some live music”. On Mondays there will be open mic nights and on Sundays there will be a DJ (and free Wifi). The other nights of the week the space will be available for artists to rent out to show their work.

He is currently waiting on a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO). I saw the architectural plans of the space and it looks like it’s gonna be pretty sweet. There will be a bar towards the back and a small stage towards the front. When he gets the CofO construction will begin immediately. He anticipates the space opening in Mid-April. While he ultimately hopes to add a bar it will only serve wine and beer (no liquor). While food will not be served here you’ll be able to go to the nearby Moroni & Bros, Fusion and the soon to open Ethiopian spot directly next door.

This sounds like it’s going to be a great addition to upper Georgia Ave. I’ll be sure to update as the permits come through and construction progresses.

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option (Reader Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This house is located at Quincy St, NW at 10th Street, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“3bd, 2 ba full-house with finished walk-out basement
– updated kitchen and baths
– spacious backyard w/ possible parking pad
– Southern exposure offers great sunlight all day long
– hardwood floors throughout
– washer/dryer
– seperate living, dining, family room/den”

The reader writes:

“I am dying to know what your readers think about the following craigslist ad for a 3bd/2ba single family home just a half block from the GA/Petworth metro station. The price is $2265 plus utilities. Is this reasonable or highway robbery for the area? Please help!!!”

I think this sounds reasonable, what do you guys think?

Dear PoP – Police Activity at Warder and Quincy

By Prince Of Petworth


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“Dear PoP,

When I was walking home from the metro around 5:30 last night, I saw a number of police cars race up Rock Creek Church and New Hampshire to the intersection of Warder and Quincy. By the time I caught up with them, there were about 6 police cars blocking traffic on Warder and groups of policemen were walking up and down the street. I didn’t get close enough to figure out what was going on. Do any of your readers know what happened?”

Haven’t seen anything from MPD yet. Anyone happen to catch what happened?

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