Recent Past: 2004 at 1300 Ninth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a gander at what's now home to Maruka Gallery and Boutique just seven years ago. The building was vacant shell with trees growing out of it.  Note too that an empty lot appears to its right, where the building occupied by Shakti MindBody Studio stands today:

It now houses the amazing Maruka Gallery and Boutique, a purveyor of fine art, gorgeous jewelry, healing minerals, natural bath and massage oils, body products, and candles. Maruka also is a great venue for private events, about which you can read more here.

Maruka Gallery and Boutique
1300 Ninth Street NW (corner of 9th and N)
202.745.1881

Recent Past: 2004 at The Exchange

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a gander at what's now known as The Exchange at Ninth and N Streets just seven years ago. The building was vacant, graffiti-ridden and in terrible shape at the time. 

Douglas Development began a major redevelopment of the property in 2005 that delivered in 2008.  The beautifully restored historic buildings and new construction behind contain the headquarters of Independence Bank and residential apartments.

It's hard to believe it's the same place, right?

Recent Past: 2004 at 1512 Eighth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a look at 1512 Eighth Street just seven years ago.  The building was vacant and in terrible shape at the time. You might recall that I posted about reporting this property as vacant back in 2007, which prompted many of you to do the same.

The property sold in 2008 and has since undergone a massive renovation. Occupied again, it looks beautiful today.

Recent Past: 2004 at 1232 and 1234 Ninth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a look at 1230, 1232 and 1234 Ninth Street just seven years ago, at which time all visible buildings were apparently vacant:

Now, Wagtime occupies the center building, 1232 Ninth.  Wagtime completed a significant and gorgeous renovation in 2009.  Long View Gallery occupies most of the the building seen on the right, 1234 Ninth.  Long View relocated to this former auto showroom after completing a significant build out and renovation in 2009.  An Italian restaurant will occupy the building seen on the left, 1230 Ninth.  The restaurant is in the middle of renovations and has ABRA placards posted.

Pretty great contrasts, right?

Recent Past: 2004 at 1555 Ninth

The District has a really neat online tool for finding out basic information on properties called the Property Information Verification System. One of its features with which I have recently become obsessed – and that I fear will likely be updated soon – is the ability to view a photograph  taken in 2004 of any given property. I’ve downloaded a handful of pictures of Shaw area properties from 2004 and, in the coming days/weeks, will upload them, along with photos of the current conditions of the properties.  Some provide pretty stark contrasts in just seven years' time.

Across the board, one interesting thing to note is that the public spaces photographed are exponentially better cared for today.  In 2004, many treeboxes are ovegrown with weeds (jungles, really).  Also, it's clear that there has been a lot of investment in the area in the past seven years -- I see a lot of vacant buildings in the 2004 photographs that are now rehabilitated and occupied. 

Here’s a before and after photo of 1555 Ninth Street. Notice in particular the unkempt treebox in 2004.  The two buildings pictured were both demolished not too long after this photograph was taken because of a development-gone-wrong that lead to their collapse.  I believe the one on the right was occupied at the time of the construction incident (thankfully no one was hurt) and the one on the left had been vacant for a while.

And here is 1555 Ninth today: a Christian Zapatka designed, four unit new construction building that delivered in 2009:

I should have waited for the cars to pass in taking the shot, but take my word for it the treebox looks great now… dozens of tulips are about to bloom, it’s been recently mulched, and it has an iron treebox guard.