Radio One Backs Out of Media Center One

The Washington Business Journal has the breaking news that Radio One is no longer going to move its headquarters to the long-planned mixed use project at Seventh and T Streets, Northwest. Media Center One seemed like it would finally materialize this year, having recently made strides toward bringing in the United Negro College Fund as another anchor office tenant. The project's future now is unclear.

Buy Me: M Street Flats

Thanks to tipster Travis for alerting me to the newly-on-the-market M Street Flats at 444 M Street, Northwest. Community Three Development is responsible for executing the primely located ten unit condominium redevelopment project.

444 M previously was a scourge on the community. When Community Three Development purchased it, the building was in bad shape: there was structural deterioration due to roof leaks, a fire, and flooding in the basement, and attempts at renovation by a prior owner left the building gutted to the party walls and missing portions of the rear wall and roof. Community Three Development has transformed the building into an asset to the community, and I look forward to welcoming its lucky new residents.

You may recall that Community Three recently delivered the beautiful mixed use project in the 1300 block of Ninth Street known as The Nine (its residences are sold-out now).

New Development Plan for Vermont and T

DCmud has the scoop on a new six unit condominium project planned for the corner of Vermont Avenue and T Street, Northwest. The project, by developer Derek Huetinck, could break ground by the end of this year.

A fourteen unit development called Evanti Row was long-planned for this prime parcel, which is literally steps away from the U Street Metro (I wrote about Evanti Row on several occasions). Evanti Row never made it off of the drawing boards, however, and the property sold to Huetinck last November.

Boutique Coming to 1900 Block of Ninth

Prince of Petworth reports that Toucan Boutique will fill the space in the 1900 block of Ninth Street that was formerly home to Lettie Gooch. The boutique, which appears to have had an online presence for a few years, comes to us from a mother-and-daughter team. It "will feature a new generation of designers, both American and international, who offer women greater originality and freedom in casual clothing." For its opening, Toucan Boutique will present two Brazilian brands that are known for their exclusive designs and prints: Cantão and Redley.

It will be exciting to welcome this unique store to the neighborhood! With Basiliko Gallery opening across the street, Dickson Wine Bar coming to nearby U Street, The Brixton Pub coming to the corner of Ninth and U Street, and a handful of noteworthy developments in the pipeline (e.g., the Jazz at Florida Avenue), this area is booming!

Toucan Boutique
1911 Ninth Street, Northwest

City Sues JBG Over Convention Center Hotel Lawsuit

The Washington Business Journal reports that the District of Columbia has sued JBG (and related entities) regarding JBG's pending convention center hotel case against the city. Like the other two lawsuits against JBG, the city's case alleges that JBG "sued the city in order to gain leverage in negotiations with a Marriott unit over an unrelated property, the Washington Marriott Wardman Park."

James Beard Semi-Finalist Among Us

Derek Brown of The Passenger is a semi-finalist in the running for a James Beard Foundation award for "Outstanding Wine And Spirits Program." A full list of semi-finalists in all categories is available in PDF format here. The nominees will be narrowed to five finalists in each category by March 22. The awards will be given out in a New York city ceremony May 3.

Congrats, Derek! You make us proud (and thirsty!)!


The Passenger
1021 Seventh Street, Northwest
202.393.0220

Deal: Taco Tuesday at 1905

Tonight (February 16, 2010) is "Taco Tuesday" night at 1905 Restaurant. Enjoy their delicious $3 Lamb Tacos, $4 Sol beers, and $6 Taco/Sol combos! For those not into tacos, they will feature Mardis Gras-inspired specials.

Speaking of 1905, if you've not tried out their Sunday brunch yet, you are really missing out. This neighborhood gem's brunch menu is creative and delicious (I love the brie French toast), and their Bloody Mary is the best in town (that's right -- I said it: best in town).

1905 Restaurant
1905 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.332.1905

Mapping Tool of Available Properties

I recently stumbled on this new and useful tool from Long and Foster. It is a zoomable, clickable map of available properties (residential and commercial) in the Washington area. Wherever you see a flag, you can click on it for information about the flagged property and for a virtual tour (where available). Several Shaw properties peaked my interest: from empty lots to fancy new condominiums to long-vacant properties to gorgeously renovated row homes.

Old Dominion Has Skeeball

Neighborhood watering hole, destination sports bar and go-to casual restaurant Old Dominion Brewhouse recently added skeeball to its menu of fun. Back in 2007 I confessed my love of Photo Hunt (a game at their bar), but skeeball takes Old Dominion's entertainment to another level!


Old Dominion Brewhouse
1219 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.289.8158

Snow Days

This image was taken during Wednesday's blizzard. The buildings shown are on the 1500 block of Ninth Street, Northwest.

I hope everyone managed to stay dry and warm over the course of the past week. As neighborhood businesses no doubt suffered from a lack of foot traffic during the historic snowfalls, relieve your cabin fever this weekend and spend some time and money at our great neighborhood restaurants and bars!

Row Home Reno: Existing Floorplans

Last October, I introduced a new renewshaw.com series documenting a friend’s renovation of a Shaw row home. Since my first posting, my friend has been busy working with his architect, but there has been little tangible progress on which to report. My friend informs me that architectural drawings are nearing completion for the complete gut/overhaul of the house, and that pulling permits should commence by month’s end.

I last showcased some photographs of the current conditions of the house and generally described its lackluster aesthetics and flow. Below I present to you the existing floor plans.

The Basement Level

The basement is unfinished and is, essentially, a clean slate for creating a rental unit. Like the upper two floors, there are windows on the front and on one side elevation. The entrance is below the front porch of the house. The basement's ceilings are low (about seven feet).


The First Floor

A covered front porch presents an outdoor living area on arrival at the house. Currently the only way to access the porch from inside the house is via the front door. The front door opens to a foyer with a narrow staircase leading to the second level. The first floor has a living room, a dining room, a small kitchen (note the awkward placement of the refrigerator in the middle of the room), a full bath, a utility room, and a den. The den is very much disconnected from the rest of the floor.



The Second Floor

The second floor boasts four bedrooms and only one full bathroom. It feels very choppy and haphazard, with closets appearing as if they were added as an afterthought to bedrooms and a meandering hallway connecting the front bedroom to the back bedroom.


My friend's plans are phenomenal, and I cannot wait to post them once approved. As teasers, the exterior will look as though it has been around for a hundred years and will be stone and brick (some homes in the Dupont area on Q Street are indicative of how it will look). The interior will be very modern, bright and open, yet cozy with natural materials, fire places, and glass.

Snow Miscellany

In light of the major snow storm afoot, the Mayor declared a snow emergency that went into effect today (Friday, February 5, 2010) at 9:30 a.m (see press release here; for a PDF map of snow emergency routes, click here, and for a PDF list of streets included, click here). According to an e-mail blast I received, if one's vehicle is not moved off the snow emergency route, DPW will tow the vehicle to a pre-determined lot and the owner will incur a $250 fine for parking on a snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency, a $100 towing fee and a $25 impound fee (this fee will double after 48 hours and then increase by $25 every 24 hours thereafter).

I spotted the Shaw Main Streets Green Team out this morning spreading salt at crosswalks. This will undoubtedly make journeys through the neighborhood easier in the coming days.

Long View Gallery's opening tonight is still on, so for the brave and cultural, the gallery will be a happening beacon in the storm.

As we expect so much snow, it is advisable to shovel your sidewalk a few times during the downfall. I usually shovel the sidewalks and front steps of my elderly neighbors (and, if feeling major cabin fever, will continue down the block), and encourage all to be generous with their physical might for greater mobility for all.

Be warm and stay safe!

Artists Wed and Show New Works at Long View Gallery Friday

The new Long View Gallery will undoubtedly be the place to have one's wedding reception or rehearsal dinner for years to come. This Friday, the gallery will host what will likely be one of their more unique weddings, at which notable D.C. artists Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow will unveil a show of matrimonial-themed works entitled "Till Death Do Us Part" and exchange vows. Below is the press release for the event, which is open to the public (but you must R.S.V.P. to info@longviewgallery.com). The show will run through March 1.

Art Brings Us Together: Till Death Do Us Part
Matt Sesow, Dana Ellyn Gallery Exhibit at Long View Gallery Opens February 5 With Couple’s Wedding (Washington, DC)

Where do two artists meet and fall in love? At an art show, of course. On Friday, February 5, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM, two of Washington, DC’s most celebrated local artists will tie the knot at Long View Gallery at 1234 9th St NW. During the opening night reception for Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow’s “Till Death Do Us Part” art exhibition, the long-time couple will exchange nuptials. The couple is inviting all of DC’s artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts to the public event.

It all started eight years ago when a friend suggested to Dana Ellyn that she check out a venue for her premiere art show. While she liked the space and the art that was on exhibit, she was most attracted to the man behind the paint and canvas, the artist Matt Sesow. Sesow also liked what he saw and invited Ellyn to “see his studio,” which she interpreted correctly as artistic code language for inviting her on a date. Over time, the two found synchronicity in a rhythm together as full-time artists. Painting canvasses and producing art shows mark the beats of their lives.

The “Till Death Do Us Part” exhibition and wedding will be a landmark event for the DC art scene, as well as the couple’s lives. Sesow and Ellyn have challenged themselves to address the meaning of marriage through art. You will see all the myriad hues of married life, the “the good times and the bad times and in sickness or in health.” In Ellyn’s “Institution of Marriage,” the couple wears straight jackets with untouched wedding cake lying nearby. Sesow also takes on the complicated feelings of love, pain and commitment in his “Til Death Do Us Part” as the celebratory couple stands ready to stab each other with sharpened knives, while a bright red heart pulses above. Their artwork also shows the confidence and comfort of marriage. Ellyn’s “Date Night” is a portrait of a beaming woman, sipping two-buck Chuck with curlers in her hair and red booties on her feet. Only a truly happy wife could pull of that look and make it sexy.

Ask Sesow what the marriage means, he jokes, “We get to share paint.” Together, the couple shares canvas, acrylic paint, time together in their studios, and they share the spotlight as two of DC’s sought-after artists. Ellyn’s recent Blasphemy Day show grabbed CNN, NPR, and USA Today headlines, while Sesow’s political art made Artnet Magazine’s top-10 for 2009 list.

For the “Til Death Do Us Part” Long View Gallery exhibit, running February 5 to March 1, 2010, Sesow and Ellyn fill the space with a diversity of work, including Sesow’s 100 for $100 small works and Ellyn’s large oil on canvas. Sesow’s work is an emotional response with a foundation built on personal childhood trauma and disability, growth, healing, and a reaction to politics, policies, travels, and life experiences. Ellyn’s colorsaturated work is exemplified by a risk-taking vision and playful, yet scathing, critiques of social norms. Both are exploring new materials to create unique sculptures reflecting this next stage in their lives. Sesow's unique sculptures will be created using kitty litter.

“Til Death Do Us Part” Long View Gallery show, running February 5 to March 1

Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.232.4788

Northrop Grumman Could Be Our Neighbor

The Washington Business Journal reports that Northrop Grumman is considering the gorgeous 901 K Street for its corporate headquarters (the company is relocating here from the west coast, and local jurisdictions are competing to land the significant company's home base). Adding such a significant office to the area would be a major boon for neighborhood businesses and for the increasing vitality of Mount Vernon Square, so I will keep my fingers crossed that Northrop can be enticed to the District generally and to 901 K Street specifically.

For anyone unfamiliar, 901 K is a brand new LEED Gold Certified property behind Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church. Its development brought with it a much-needed renovation to the adjacent landmark church, and 901 K beautifully married surrounding building styles and heights. It is a very conveniently located property: it is directly across from the planned convention center headquarters Marriott Hotel; it is a few steps from the metro, the convention center, many restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, and a variety of housing options; and it is easily accessible from all parts of the city and region thanks to the nearby interstate and the Circulator (and planned streetcar line).

Bar 7 Coming to Seventh Street

Last summer, I reported about a bar named "Wired" coming to 1015 1/2 Seventh Street, Northwest. Since then, I have not seen or heard of much to report. Yesterday, however, the Prince of Petworth posted an update, with pictures, showing that the bar appears to be nearing opening. No longer to be called Wired, "Bar 7" will soon add to the area's nightlife options.