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.

Lots more photos after the jump. Read Full Post

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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. Read Full Post

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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?

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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.

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This is what it should look like. Flip It is located at 4532 Georgia Ave, NW.

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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?

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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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In addition to the 800 block of Upshur you’ll soon be able to pick up a Zipcar behind the Park Place Building at Georgia and New Hampshire.

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This rental is located at 4040 8th Street, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Efficiency Apartment, water and heat included”. Does $644 sound reasonable?

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Well we’ve known that the Subway was coming since November but thanks to a reader for sending in the recently installed Coming Soon sign. So far we’ve got lots of coming soon signs in this retail space as well a cricket store. But I’ll be sure to update as these spots transition from coming soon to projected opening dates to they’re now open!

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“Dear PoP,

Looking glass dropped their entrees. Their excuse: we are transitioning away from being a restaurant. Hmm. I’m disappointed.”

Did many folks go to Looking Glass Lounge, on Georgia Ave at Princeton Streets, NW, for the entrees? Personally I’ve always been a big fan of the grilled cheese and tomato. Will you miss the entrees?

Ed. Note: Looking Glass Lounge is a PoP advertiser.

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Thanks to Wayan for sending in the update:

“The fence is up and debris dumpster set – E.L. Hayes public charter school will soon start their construction and remodeling of the Clark School [4501 7th Street, NW] in Petworth. This will soon be the home of elementary and high school classes for E. L. Hayes students in fall 2010.

I only hope the paying field around the school stays open for community use.”

E.L. Haynes has a current school building located at 3600 Georgia Avenue, NW.

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It is truly wild to watch this corner (triangle) transform. Here’s what it looked like just few weeks ago.

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This apartment is located at 4014 Kansas Avenue, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“Come see this 2 bedroom apartment just minutes away from the Metro. This bright apartment is in a completely renovated building. Rent includes water and gas. No pets allowed. Free parking available behind the building. Please respond to this posting to schedule a time to view the apartment. ”

Do you think $1195 is reasonable for this 2 bedroom?

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From Wayan:

Do you work from home? Are you just plum tired of cabin fever after a week of Snowpocolypse DC? Wanna break out of the house for an afternoon of camaraderie with fellow work-from-home professionals?

Then join your fellow Green Line Professionals this Friday at Domku!

Green Line Professionals
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GreenLineProfessionals
February Happy Afternoon
Friday, Feb 19, 1-5pm
Domku Restaurant
821 Upshur Street, NW

Its an afternoon catch-up for folks to share the love (and hate) of the home office. You don’t need to be there the whole 4 hours – drop by when you can pry yourself from those oh-so-fun conference calls.

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