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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Evanti Row Planned for 1900 Vermont

I recently learned of a planned development for the corner of Vermont Avenue, T and 10th Streets to be known as Evanti Row. Announced by Macy Development last November and slated for completion in 2008 (although to my knowledge it has yet to break ground, so that timeline is likely off), the project will occupy what is mostly a parking lot feet from the Green Line's U Street metro station. Evanti Row is designed by Zahn Architects and will be comprised of seven new row-houses, each with two luxury condominium units. The project adjoins the Evans-Tibbs House, which was the home of Madame Evanti, the first African-American opera star to garner international acclaim. Most of the multi-level units feature double height living areas and terraces and the corner building’s upper unit boasts a grand master suite in the tower element.

12 comments:

Mr. Other Upper NW said...

Great, more "luxury" condominiums. Another excuse to jack up the price because of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and bamboo flooring. Yippee, we don't have enough of those around already...

Shaw Rez said...

Mr. 14th - time will tell if this goes through as planned; given the state of the condo market, it may be a while before this proceeds (does anyone have any info on this project's status? I couldn't find anything in researching it).

You're so right--"luxury" condos in d.c. all kind of look the same these days.

My 2 cents--I think support this project concept. As a gateway of sorts for the Logan Circle community from the U Street metro, it seems well scaled and designed in the context of the surrounding buildings/neighborhood. It's a prime location--just feet from the metro--so it makes sense that people will likely be willing to pay top dollar to live there. It is denser than a traditional row home but not an overwhelming building for the area.

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody, today's the opening for Veranda, so please check it out!! Let's support this neighborhood business - and enjoy what appear to be their awesome eats!

Anonymous said...

Zahn architects have two buildings down the street from us that are so weird and havent sold one unit yet.

Anonymous said...

People don't buy weird.

Anonymous said...

dc people are so conformist and boring; that's why everything is granite and bamboo--no one wants to be differnt.

zahn's non-modern stuff is pretty standard looking 'luxury' architecture, so probabbly sells.

Anonymous said...

We who live near that asphalt surface lot have been complaining for years that the group who owns it was running it illegally, as it didn't even have a valid variance and for a long time wasn't being kept up. It was only used a few evenings a week. I'm all for replacing open asphalt lots in residentially zoned nieghborhoods with something that is residential (especially when they border a house on the historic register). Since it is in a historic district, I have a good feeling it will fit in with it's surroundings. However, it looks like sales were supposed to start last spring and never did, so maybe we are out of luck for now.

I would like to hear the detractors state what should go there to add to the neighborhood instead of just complaining. Then maybe you could even help make it happen?

Shaw Rez said...

Anon @ 4:27 - thanks for chiming in! I've got my fingers crossed this project moves forward.

Mr. Other Upper NW said...

I have less and less faith in the "historic preservation" of the neighborhood everytime I walk by something like the Logan Station or whatever that modern monstrosity is at 11th and Q.

And I have no problems with this planned residential development, per se. It might look fine. I'm simply objecting to the frequent misuse of the term "luxury" to describe a condo that offers the sam "amenities" as pretty much every single unit that has been constructed over the past five years. At some point, it ceases to be "luxurious" and starts to be, simply, a "condo". But that would mean a price reduction, so..."luxury" it is!

Ken said...

Thanks for the post about this project, but I wanted to offer a few corrections: We are the marketing team for this project (DCRealEstate.com), and neither we nor the the developer (Macy) called this project a "luxury condo" project, the term is from the blogger. Evanti Row will consist of 7 rowhouses, each with 2 condos. They will definitely be spacious - 1350 to 2100 s.f. - and imaginitive with beautiful finishes, starting around $600,000, it won't look the same as everything else. Each will be two or more levels with private decks and open, double-height spaces. "Luxury" is just a term over-used by unimaginative marketers, not us.

Shaw rez - Thanks for your support; I don't know why you couldn't find it, the project has been listed on the new condo site of DCRealEstate.com for about 8 months, and it has a (still incomplete) website, Evanticondos.com.

Construction should commence in the spring, with completion about 12 months thereafter. The lot has been a giant stretch of pavement, a huge waste for land on the same block as the Metro station.

The project should bridge the divide between a house and a condo, and should fit in well in the historic neighborhood. Feel free to call us if you have any questions.

Shaw Rez said...

Ken - thanks so much for the insight! This is a very exciting project on an important piece of land, and I'm glad to know it's moving forward!

Responsive to your comments -

+ My use of the term "luxury"--and my general description of the project--was lifted from the Zahn Architects website, which states in full:

"The seven new row-houses of Evanti Row, each contain two luxury condominium units and are just steps from the Green Line Metro station. Once a parking lot, this project adjoins the Evans-Tibbs House which was the home of Madame Evanti, the first African-American opera star to garner international acclaim. Most of the multi-level units feature double height living areas and terraces and the corner building’s upper unit boasts a grand master suite in the tower element."

+ I meant to say I could not find anything other than the websites I linked evidencing that the project is indeed moving forward and that delivery is foreseeable (e.g., I found nothing showing that permits are or HPRB approval has been sought). Thank you for the timeline!

Anonymous said...

Not only is the existing parking lot an eyesore, the owners rarely clear the adjoining sidewalks in the winter, making it extremely difficult for neighborhood residents to get to the Metro without having to walk in the street. Practically anything would be an improvement over what's there now.