“Dear PoP,

Would you rent an apartment directly across the street (P and 7th St, NW) from the incoming O Street Market construction zone? How do you think the immediate neighborhood will be impacted by the construction that’s slated to start soon?”

Hmm, this is a good question. Personally I think this development is going to be huge for the neighborhood but is def. going to take time. If you asked me would I buy here – I’d say yes in an instant. But renting – I’m not sure it’s gonna be worth the aggravation until construction is completed. What do you guys think – would you rent across the street from a soon to be construction zone?

Photo by PoPville flickr user scotty.trimmier

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Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

A reader forwards this alert from SAIS public affairs:

Dear SAIS Community,

We wanted to make you aware of an incident that took place in a nearby neighborhood on Monday at approximately 10 p.m. involving one of our students.

The student was leaving the Columbia Heights Metro station and was approached by two men who pointed a gun at the student and demanded his backpack. Fortunately, our student was not harmed in this case—he turned over his backpack filled with his laptop, wallet and other personal belongings. An incident report has been filed with the D.C. Police.

This is just a reminder that we do live in an urban setting and crime does happen. Please try to be aware of your surroundings at all times and travel with others when possible, especially in the evenings. Also, as our student did in this case, it is best not to get into an altercation with assailants—it is always safer to turn over your belongings.

This home is located at 3007 Q St, NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“NEW PRICE. Rarely available Georgetown “Cooke’s Row” is an historic opportunity. This Second Empire residence has undergone an exquisite restoration and renovation. Soaring entertaining spaces, massive gourmet kitchen. Luxurious master suite plus four bedrooms and family room. Parking for 3+ cars, and a large rear garden.”

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

We actually looked at this house almost a year ago when it was on the market for $6,500,000. Price has dropped a cool million since then. It’s now yours for $5,500,000. I’ll gladly post this home once a year until it sells because I’m blown away by the virtual tour.

Photo by flickr user snapperwolf*

A reader sends in a very succinct query:

“Who has the best nachos?”

A great question for a gloomy Wed. afternoon. Where’s your favorite spot for nachos?

A reader writes:

“Can we judge El Torogoz? My parents are visiting next week and I was trying to figure out restaurant options near the house. I have never been there and I was wondering if this is a good place.”

El Torogoz is located at 4231 9th St NW (just north of Upshur). While it’s been a while – I’ve always enjoyed the food there. As some may mention – occasionally the jukebox plays at a pretty loud volume but other than that I’ve had very pleasant experiences. I remember being surprised at how much I liked the ceviche. Anyone else check out El Torogoz?

Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

“Dear PoP,

I know this is not as important as a shooting or mugging, but I did want to report yet another massive theft incident at the Washington Sports Club in Columbia Heights on Saturday night (March 26). I blame only myself, because after reading PoP I knew that I should NEVER take my wallet to that sketchy, crime-riddled gym, but I needed to shop for groceries afterwards and I knew I was going to have a very short work-out. I was one of FIVE males whose lockers were broken into between 6 and 7 pm, and whose wallets were stolen.

A policeman responded very promptly after being called, and management was sympathetic, but let’s face it, they really do not care to take any meaningful actions to stop these thefts (such as having staff regularly patrol the locker rooms, or training the ever present cleaning staff to watch for suspicious activity). I am one of many who wish we had a realistic health club alternative.

I continue to hate the over-sold, always crowded, crime scene that is WSC-Columbia Heights. I just want to warn patrons of WSC-Columbia Heights that the crime wave continues and NEVER NEVER NEVER take your valuables to that gym. You are a sitting duck! Thanks for letting me vent a little.”

Very frustrating. Unfortunately, it seems that these breakins happen at many gyms in the city.

We spoke about some reasonably priced gyms here back in Aug. ’10.

Yoga District is located at 1830 1st St., NW. In response to a query, Yoga District’s Jasmine writes,

“No we’re totally not closing- we’d never do that to the bloomie community – we love it there so much!!!!!!!!!! but the landlord hasn’t made major repairs he’s responsible for in the basement of the building. we’ve already been to court once and it’s painful and expensive to get him to act, and the lease unfortunately sticks us with his attorney fees regardless of outcome, so we’re either paying our AND his attorney to get him to make the repairs, or we can choose to avoid the legal process and just pay for the repairs ourselves- it’s probably all the same in terms of $. but rather than find thousands and thousands of dollars for either option, we’d love to move, ideally to a place owned by someone in the community or to a place that some of our friends in the community can buy together.”

I hope they find a great space but it’s a bit sad that they need to move because the purple building was looking good!

And in other Yoga news – as we’ve seen – the building at 13th and U St, NW has been renovated and on April 1st, Boundless Yoga will be open on the 2nd floor.

Grand Central is located at 2447 18th St., NW. Thanks to a reader for sending the word:

“Last week Grand Central got two “pour it your self” draft tables. pretty cool.
They are going with Craft beers.
Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Avery White Rascal Belgian White
Bell’s Amber
Flying Dog Raging Bitch IPA”

I think this makes the third spot in town to get table taps along with Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights and Redline in Penn Quarter. Know of any other places that have table taps? And what’s the verdict on table taps – do you think they’ll be around for a while? Do you think a lot more bars will/should get them?

Back in early March we learned that:

Lost Society is a “boutique steakhouse, located on the second and third floors of this corner building, will feature a steak centric menu that blends market fresh produce, grass fed local meats, and regional seafood with innovative techniques to create both familiar classics and bold original dishes.

The space features full dining, bar and lounge space, as well as a rooftop deck.”

I’m happy to give a taste of what the space is gonna look like. The entire space including the outdoor area is around 5400 square feet. And let me just straight away that this roof deck is going to be absolutely amazing. And if all goes well, Lost Society hopes to open “sometime in April” and I’ll be sure to update with the menu and exact opening date when it is announced.

The second floor features a huge wrap around bar

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Thanks to a reader for sending in this one from 7th and T St, NW. This could be a tough one…

Your captions in the comments and winner picked Friday.

McCormick Paints recently moved from 1460 P St, NW to 3124 Mt. Pleasant St, NW. I’ve been getting a number of emails inquiring what will be going into the old space at 15th and P St, NW in prime Logan Circle (near Whole Foods). Well I wish I had more concrete info but I’m hearing a restaurant will be going into this space. I promise to update when I get more info on the plans. Given the space and location, I think a restaurant would do very well here.

Wow, I’ve walked by this sculpture a dozen times (by Scott Circle off Mass Ave, NW) and never actually looked at the great frieze underneath the sculpture.

More close-ups and a good shot of Scott Circle blooming after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Mr. T writes:

“Large house on Oregon Ave NW, viewed from the edge of Rock Creek Park, in Washington, DC.”

Nice find!

Seen in foggy bottom on GWU campus

Thanks to a reader for sending. This bodes well for my war on squirrels (WoS).