Buy Me: 1539 Ninth Street, Unit 2

The renovation of 1539 Ninth Street, NW, is now complete, and the first of its two condominium units has hit the market.  Unit 2 is the upper unit, which is two levels.  According to its listing, this two bedroom, two bath unit has 1,275 square feet of living space plus a fantastic roof deck off the master suite.  Check out the listing, with interior photos, here.

You may recall that there was a fire at 1539 Ninth Street back in 2007 that left it a vacant, boarded shell.  I posted a little of the home's history when the structure was for sale in February of last year (see here).  It is so great to see new life breathed into this house!

Buy Me: 1600 Eighth, Unit 1

This morning, I spotted a for sale sign in front of the newly renovated 1600 Eighth Street, NW.  A brief internet sleuthing session led me to the listing for Unit 1 of the building, viewable here (with interior photos).  According to the listing, the unit is a two story, three bedroom, two and a half bath residence with an 800 foot private roof deck.  The finishes look very nice, and the location is unbeatable (a block from the metro, a block from the upcoming CityMarket at O, on beautiful Eighth Street).  The asking price is $895,000.

Here's a photo of the place today:

And for old times sake, here is a photo from the same vantage taken in 2007.  It was then owned by Shiloh Baptist Church and had  been vacant for many years:

Buy Me: 819 Q Street, NW

The dramatic transformation of the properties at Ninth and Q Streets and Rhode Island Avenue is pretty miraculous.  Previously a long-time, often cited blight of the neighborhood, they're now true beauties poised for new lives.

The first residential unit, 819 Q Street, NW, hit the market last weekend.  Here is the listing, with photos and a description of the property.

Exciting!

Rent Me: 818 Rhode Island Avenue

Work continues full steam ahead at the once notoriously vacant properties at the intersection of Ninth, Q and Rhode Island (check out my previous post about the property here).  The awesome gut-renovation seems to be nearing the final stretch, and it looks like they're getting the structure ready for a fantastic and detailed new exterior paint scheme (if you walk by, take note of the intricate paint scheme that's begun on the cornice on Q Street frontage).

Recently, banners went up advertising for lease the retail component of the project.  

Here's to hoping something great fills the highly visible corner spot in the heart of Shaw!

Rent Me: 903-905 N Street, NW

The building that formerly housed The Space has sat empty and available for lease since the former establishment closed (from what I understand, The Space closed because of a variety of reasons, mostly attributed to The Space's management/ownership). I love the interior of the building, with its concrete floors and high ceilings, and the roofdeck is one of the best in the city (although The Space failed to operate the roof deck in a way that did not disturb nearby residential neighbors).

903-905 N Street is primely situated just off the intersection of Ninth and N near the convention center, the soon-to-open Rogue 24, Long View Gallery, and so forth. I always tell people about it who own cool businesses and are looking for locations in the area and encourage others to do the same.  Check out the listing for 903-905 N here.

I think it’d be a phenomenal restaurant with outdoor seating or art gallery/event venue. What do you think would be a good fit?

Buy Me: 1513 Eighth Street, NW

A few weeks ago, I went to an open house for 1513 Eighth Street, NW.  The newly renovated home really is a showplace.  The list price for the three bedroom, two and a half bath, luxuriously appointed home is $949,500.  From the listing:

ANOTHER FABULOUS RENOVATION BY NANTUCKET HOLDINGS. This stunning Victorian offers all the bells & whistles. Features spacious open floor plan, chefs kitchen w/ carrara marble, Electrolux Appls, custom pantry, designer marble baths, custom closets, high ceilings, parking w/ garage door system, surround sound, high ceilings gleaming new wood flrs, all new mechanicals and more.

Check out the listing, and photos, here.

Buy Me: 636 Q Street, NW

I stumbled upon the following video by realtor Phil Di Ruggiero advertising four new condos for sale at 636 Q Street, NW. You may recall that Di Ruggiero created a neat promotional video about the Shaw neighborhood back in 2009.



For more information go here, or contact Phil Di Ruggiero at 202.725.2250, pdiruggiero@mac.com.

Buy Me: 1539 Ninth Street

1539 Ninth Street, NW

I noticed last weekend a sign on 1539 Ninth Street advertising the property for sale. 1539 Ninth Street is one of six structures comprising a symmetric set of buildings: 1539, 1541, 1543, 1545, 1547 and 1549 Ninth (1539 and 1549 are the bookends of the group and are twins). 

Having done a little research into the unique set of residential structures in the Shaw Historic District, I learned that the six homes were built in 1885 for a total of $18,000.  They were designed by a prolific D.C. Architect, N.T. Haller. Haller is recognized as one of the premier architects of his era and was responsible for designing the Warder Building, now the Spy Museum.

1539 is at the far right and is mirrored by 1549 at the far left. 
The gray home just right of center was on last year's Logan Circle House Tour. 
 (My apologies for the terrible photo) 

This stretch of Ninth Street is zoned R-4 and is in the Shaw Historic District.  1539 has beautiful unpainted brick facade with lots of detail and and off street parking in the rear.  It has been vacant and boarded up since a fire in 2007.  I think it could be a really fantastic single family home again with a little (or maybe a  lot of...) TLC.   If interested in learning more, the sign posted on the front of 1539 says to call 483-2453.

Buy Me: 1318 Ninth Street

The former home to EFN Lounge and Motley Bar, 1318 Ninth Street, is now available.  Per this listing, the two story, 6,000 square foot remodeled space is available for purchase for $2.6 million.  Papadopoulos Properties also shows the building as available for lease for $15,000 a month.

Buy Me: 1511 Eleventh Street

A beautiful commecial building on Eleventh Street just south of Rhode Island Avenue is for sale (and/or maybe for lease too).  Formerly home to DC Carpet Outlet, the building looks to have a ton of potential and is in a great location.  According to this online listing, the asking sales price is $650,000, and it is a 1300 square foot  "Commercial property ideal for owner/user. Located 1/2 block from Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Located only 2 blocks from Logan Circle.Great visibility on high traffic street. One parking space in rear of building."

Can't you see an art gallery or a wine bar or something neat in this space?

Buy Me: Part of Kelsey Gardens/Addison Square Assemblage

It is old news that the developers behind the redevelopment of Kelsey Gardens are looking either to sell their prime property in Shaw or to find for an equity partner for their planned Addison Square project. But it is new news is that one component of the Addison Square assemblage is for sale.

Thanks to tipster Paul for point me to this this listing for the property at the corner of Eight and P Streets, Northwest – directly across from the imminently breaking ground CityMarket at O development.  The land is currently occupied by a parking lot, and was slated to contain townhome-styled condominiums in the Addison Square project.  The asking price is $1.2 million dollars, and the description provides:

Land Area: 4,275 SF
Current Use: Parking Lot
Permitted Uses: residential and/or office uses depending on market conditions
Highlights: Located 3 blocks north of the Convention Center. At the intersection of P Street and 8th Street. Metro access located approx. 2 blocks North (Shaw-Howard U)
Architectural drawings prepared by Lessard Group
Parking Available at Kelsey Gardens

It will be interesting to follow the disposition of this property.  I bet we'll see it redeveloped soon given that it's being broken off from the larger Seventh Street Kelsey Gardens site.

Buy Me: 1544 Eighth Street

The 1500 block of Eighth Street is a neat community of neighbors: I attended an informal block party last year and was mightily impressed. It is also uber convenient, being just steps away from the O Street Giant (the future site of City Market at O development), the Shaw-Howard Metro Station, the new library, the convention center, and so on and so forth. With the vacant properties at the corner of Eighth and Q slated for rehabilitation under new ownership, the area is about to get a big boost in curb appeal too.

Check out this listing of a house that's for sale on that block. According to the flyer for the property:

Situated on one of the most charming blocks in the historic Shaw neighborhood, resides this wonderfully renovated Federal row house complete with an in-law suite. The upper level main house features two spacious bedrooms plus a large den/office, one and one-half updated baths, beautifully-appointed chef’s kitchen with adjacent open dining area, solid oak hardwood floors, custom stainless steel stair railings, skylight, beautiful front gardens, fantastic deck & backyard area perfect for entertaining as well as secure parking. The renovated lower level is self contained from the main house with separately metered electricity. It has an open living/kitchen area and 1 full bath. Ideally located just 2 blocks to the Shaw Metro, grocery stores, the Convention Center and the hip shops and restaurants of Logan Circle, U Street and Downtown.


FEATURES

UPPER LEVEL – MAIN HOUSE
¨ Superb Natural Light Throughout (East/West Exposures)
¨ 2 Spacious Bedrooms
¨ Large Den/Office
¨ Spacious Open Kitchen/Dining Area with Stainless Steel Appliances, Gas Range, 42” Cherry Cabinets, Granite Counters
¨ Solid Red Oak Hardwood Floors in Main Rooms
¨ Powder Room on Main Level
¨ Great Deck & Backyard for Entertaining
¨ Secure Parking
LOWER LEVEL
¨ Separately-Metered In-Law Suite (updated @ end 0f 2007)
with Spacious Open Living/Dining/Kitchen Area
¨ Currently Rented @ $1350/mo. (month-to-month)
¨ Tax ID – 0397//0014
¨ 2009 Property Taxes (for current owners) – $4861/yr
¨ Year Built – 1900
¨ Owner/Agent

Offered at $749,900

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).

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.

Buy Me: 1555 Ninth Street Unit B

When I first moved to Shaw, a plywood-fenced-off-hole-in-the-ground occupied the southeast corner of Ninth and Q Streets, Northwest. It was the site of a development-gone-bad, ultimately leading to the collapse of an adjoining building. The vacant lot was an eyesore and a problem spot for neighbors, who sarcastically dubbed it "Lake Woodson."

Since that time, I have followed the progression of the mud lot's redevelopment, from planning stages to the construction of a beautiful new four unit condominium building. It is now complete and looks beautiful. It really changes the entire feel of the 1500 block of Ninth Street and the 900 block of Q Street.

One of the four units--the dramatic corner unit--is currently for sale. It features three bedrooms and three baths, an open floor plan, an Italian kitchen, custom Pella windows, private balconies, parking, and more. Check out its online listing here and take a virtual tour of it here.

There is an open house this Sunday (January 24, 2010) from 1-3. Stop by to see this gorgeous and notable new development!

Rent Me: 1911 Ninth Street

Yesterday, I came across this Craigslist Posting advertising that the retail space in 1911 Ninth Street is for lease. 1911 Ninth formerly housed the wildly popular Lettie Gooch Boutique, which moved to a nearby space on U Street last year. Below is the full text of the listing, as well as a few of the listing's photographs:

$3200 / 1000ft² - U ST. 9TH/ONE BLOCK TO METRO (1911 9TH ST. NW WASH. DC 20001)

Great ground level store front or office space with good visibility and high traffic in great Shaw u street area.
High ceiling and exposed bricks with Hardwood floor and Central Air.
Previously was occupied by a apparel /boutique.
There is a basement and parking in the back.
Ready to move in.
To see Call 703/625-5032

I hope that a really neat and unique retail store (like a home goods/gift store or a nice consignment shop) or a cool gallery (like Transformer from P Street) opens in this spot. What do you think would work well there?

Buy Me: New Condos in the Nine

This weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the open house for The Nine, the fabulous renovation/development in the 1300 block of Ninth Street (I last wrote about The Nine here). In all, there are four residential, one office and one retail condominiums in this historic mixed use project, and all evidence great attention to detail and style.

The residences each possess great finishes, airy and open rooms, and outdoor spaces. Two units are accessed from a cute entrance on Naylor Court and two are accessed from Ninth Street.



The one and two bedroom condominiums range from $359,000 to $449,9000.

For more information on The Nine, contact Jeremy Aldridge of Urban Pace (202.306.3437).

Buy Me: 1544 Ninth Street, Northwest

Thanks to Laura for pointing me to this listing (MLS No. DC7136611) regarding the advertised sale of 1544 Ninth Street, Northwest. You may recall that this building was most recently home to a pizza establishment, has been vacant for a few years, has been available for lease for quite some time now, and has been subject of purchase attempts/negotiations by the National Parks Service for years, as the NPS wants to incorporate this corner building into its Woodson site plans.

The asking price for the property is $975,000. The listing describes the property as follows:

Significant highly visible corner, 2blks to Shaw Metro. Was used commercially. New commercial user subject to zoning approval. Cafe,gym, boutique, salon etc could prosper here.Entry level 1s 1450 sq'; 2nd level is 1450 sq '; bsmt is 900 sq' Garden area is entered from Q St side.Exceptionally wide sidewalk. Needs renovation. New commercial uses subject to BZA approval.

It will be interesting to watch the disposition of this property. According to the online real property database, there is an outstanding tax balance on the property of about $85,741. Additionally, the property is was slated to be sold at the city's tax sale this month.

Buy Me: 1600 Eighth Street, Northwest

Thanks to Paul for pointing me to this online listing advertising the sale of 1600 Eighth Street, Northwest (MLS No. DC7146640). Shiloh Baptist Church is to be commended for putting this property and caddy-cornered 1543 Eighth Street, Northwest up for sale with an eye towards funding the church's plans for its Ninth Street properties.

According to the listing, the asking price for 1600 Eighth Street is $450,000 (the same price the church is asking for 1543 Eighth Street; I think it sounds like a reasonable price). The property is described as a three story, federal style, four bedroom, three bath shell built in 1905.

Here's to hoping someone awesome purchases this notable property soon and realizes its great potential!

Buy Me: 1543 8th Street, Northwest

Thanks to ML for the tip that Shiloh Baptist Church's Eighth Street properties now sport Long and Foster for sale signs! I happily and sincerely applaud the church for its decision to sell these properties for the purpose moving forward with their their plans for their Ninth Street properties. I look forward to working on this new chapter in church/neighborhood life.

I could only find one online listing -- the listing for 1543 Eighth Street (the property on the southeast corner of the intersection of Eighth and Q Streets, Northwest). I will post a link to, and information from, the other listing (1600 Eighth Street) as soon as I find it.

The listing for 1543 Eighth Street, Northwest (MLS No. DC7145831) can be found here here. The asking price is $450,000 for this historic four bedroom, three bath house. The property is described as follows:

Wonderful and unique architecture in a location that makes sense. Approx 5 blks north of Convention Center, approx 2 blks to Metro at Rhode Island Avenue and 2 blks to the soon to be revitalized O Street Market and other anticipated retail developments. Convenient to many downtown amenities. Shown by appointment made with owner through agent. Perfect corner to renovate to your tastes.

Despite the property's current condition, I think $450k is a reasonable (or at very least non-laughable) asking price. Good job, Shiloh, and good luck selling this beautiful-bones property!