These two shots by gc-dc sent me back a ways. Ah the mix tape…

Also reminded me of this fun Friday Question of the Day. My first tape was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

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This condo is located at 1930 New Hampshire Ave NW:

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The owner writes:

“My wife and I are selling our 2BR/2BA condo in Dupont Circle, which we love so much. I’m going to business school in Philly in the fall and so we’re moving north. Going to miss this neighborhood like heck, but hopefully we’ll come back someday.

It’s a great place in a great location and we’ve been extremely happy here. Uses space really efficiently, which we found lacking in a lot of the new construction we looked at as buyers a few years ago. Has a separately deeded off-street parking spot also available. Furnishings also available.

We’re going to FSBO route to save commission.”

You can see the full listing here.

Does $535,000 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/2bath condo?

Photo by PoPville flickr use Rukasu1

Thanks to a reader for sharing the news from the National Capital Planning Commission:

“We are pleased to inform you that the final draft CapitalSpace Plan is available electronically at www.ncpc.gov and at www.capitalspace.gov. The CapitalSpace partners appreciate your interest and previous assistance in helping us develop a plan that envisions a beautiful, high-quality, and unified park system for the nation’s capital. We believe this final document is a better plan because of the public comments we received from more than 40 civic leaders, organizations, and individuals. The comments provided by the public and the proposed responses were presented by staff to the National Capital Planning Commission at the January 2010 meeting.

The National Capital Planning Commission will be considering the final draft CapitalSpace Plan for adoption at its April 1, 2010 meeting. If you wish to speak at the Commission meeting, you can register until noon on March 31. Information about registering to speak, the April Commission agenda, and the executive director’s recommendation, which identifies how the CapitalSpace plan will be used by agency staff and the Commission, are available at the Commission Corner of NCPC’s website at www.ncpc.gov.”

The reader points out that the Armed Forces Retirement Home (Old Soldiers Home) is addressed on pages 23, 26, 27, and 95 and notes that: “No firm commitment for development, however, AFRH was entirely absent form the draft plan and was mentioned substantially in the new plan. Clearly they paid attention to the public comments.”

You can also download the report here – FinalDraftCapitalSpacePlan

Learn more about CaptialSpace here and National Capital Planning Commission here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user antisocialtory

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. I’ll open this thread every Monday and Friday. So anything good happen to you this week?

I’ll kick it off this week: Thanks to all who voted PoP for best local blog/blogger in the City Paper’s 2010 ‘Best of’ edition. PoP was voted a runner up (3rd place).

And my second rave – this photograph by antisocialtory is amazing!

In real life, hipchickindc is licensed as a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, and as a real estate salesperson in Maryland. 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 Properties: 1401 Church St NW #307

Original List Price: $499,500.

List Price at Contract: $499,500.

List Date: 01/28/2010

Days on Market: 18

Settled Sales Price: $492,000.

Settlement Date: 03/17/2010

Seller Subsidy: $0.

Bank Owned?: No

Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original GDoN Post is: here.

Recent Listing is: here.

This won’t make sense unless you first read the Good Deal or Not (GDoN) link.

I have to hand it to, first, PoP, for being out there in the snow doing his thing, and second, to this listing agent for going ahead with the Open House post-Snowmageddon. Given that listing inventory during that time period was so extremely limited, there were definitely motivated buyers who took advantage of the few listings that happened to show up during or right after the ginormous snow storm. The biggest issue with showing property during that time was that it was pretty much impossible to park anywhere, so my own showing appointments were limited to places that I could walk or Metro to.

This unit is located in Lofts 14 II, which was created by Metropolis Development, the same group responsible for The Metropole. The 1st Lofts 14 building next door has a total of 84 loft-style condo units and was completed in 2004. Lofts 14 II began sales of its 37 units in 2003 and delivered in 2005. A point of interest that is emblematic of the early 2000’s DC real estate market is that because the building pre-sold so far in advance, there were 11 re-sales shortly after delivery in 2005. Some people who bought pre-construction probably had changed life circumstances and decided to sell. The bottom line is that anybody who bought pre-construction in 2003 and sold in 2005 most likely made a nice profit on their investment.

So how did 2009 stack up to those 2005 prices? The average price per square foot in this building for sales in 2005 reported via Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS) was $603. The sales during 2009 in this property averaged out at $582. per square foot, which is a very respectable $ per square foot. Our subject property, at 863 total square feet, came in at $570. per square foot.

A few readers have been asking for an update on the status of the Ellwood Thompson’s arrival to the DC USA mall in Columbia Heights. I’m happy to report that a source has alerted me to the fact that their permits have officially been submitted to the DC government. So this is a step in the right direction. However, my other sources tell me that there is still a long road ahead before the store opens its doors. Sadly I don’t have a timeline but I promise to keep updating as developments are made. If I had to guess I would think an arrival in 2011 is more likely than a 2010 arrival. Perhaps a new sign is in order… But overall I think this is good news because it is some tangible evidence to show us that the deal is not dead.

You can read a previous statement from the owner of Ellwood Thompson’s here.

I’ll admit it right away – I hate dress codes. But when I saw this sign on 18th Street in Adams Morgan I couldn’t believe it. “No timberland boots”? How can they possibly single out a brand like that? I mean why not say – no boots? I suppose I can understand places that want to maintain an air of class by banning sneakers and shorts but Timberland Boots? Am I thinking too deeply on this? Or does this seem a bit odd? I know it’s going to go there so I’ll just straight up ask it – is there a racial element to this?

I’m waiting for them to say anybody with their hair parted to the left will not be allowed in. Specifically banning Timberland boots seems that arbitrary to me.

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

This sounds like a great project but given all the money/budget issues I’m surprised they have the funds for it. From a WMATA press release:

Connection to trail expected to attract more people to bike, walk to station

The Board of Directors today, March 25, approved the negotiation and implementation of an easement agreement with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) for construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge to improve access to the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station.

According to Metro’s 2007 Rail Passenger survey, fewer people access the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station by foot or on bicycle than other stations along the Red Line that have more sidewalk connectivity to the surrounding areas. The bridge will provide a safer, more direct and faster connection to neighborhoods on the west side of the station, allowing many more riders to walk or bike there.

The project cost is estimated to be $4 million and is being paid for by the District of Columbia, which will operate and maintain the bridge. Due to be fabricated off-site later this year, the bridge is planned to open in fall 2011.

The bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide access to the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station from the eight-mile Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) that connects from Silver Spring to Union Station along the west side of the rail tracks. The District expects more than 1 million people per year will use the MBT, and Metrorail stations along the trail will see improved access for bicyclists and pedestrians.

And speaking of WMATA’s budget – they are seeking the public’s input. You can see a list of upcoming meetings here or fill out an on-line survey here.

And in other Metro news they’ll be having more emergency response exercises March 28th and 29th. See the press release after the jump. (more…)

When I write about retail/restaurants in Mt. Pleasant or Columbia Heights there are often quite a few comments that are lamenting the fact that there are no good Japanese restaurants nearby. While we’ve never officially judged this restaurant, back in Oct. ’08 Tina had visited Adam Express located at 3211 Mt Pleasant St NW. I can not tell you how many times people tell me how great this place is. Many love it for the Korean food but I’ve heard others laud the Japanese food as well. So don’t be frightened off by the somewhat dingy outside appearance – next time you are having a craving check them out.

Congrats to AKS with:

“Nope. Not dry yet.”

Please email me directly so I can get you a PoP t-shirt.

Man, the 60s was really a very odd decade wasn’t it?

This is actually from a fence in Mt. Pleasant. But I find it to be far more impressive when you focus close up on all the different pieces. I thought this elephant was fantastic.

A reader wanted to see the red door from Park Road near the Giant (in Columbia Heights). I’ve definitely posted this one before but it is pretty cool. I particularly like the border:

This corner row house in Mt. Pleasant is a little beat up but I love the detail on the fireplace chimney.

Back in January I mentioned that Bella was going to take the space of the old Asmara Cafe at 900 Florida Ave, NW (across the street from 9:30 Club). I had the opportunity to peek inside and have a quick chat with the owner. First of all this place has been completely gutted and redone. Bella will take up two floors. They will have some music occasionally on the second floor. He expects to open in about 2 months. I’ll be sure to update with more photos as the construction progresses.