Category: Press

Washington Post: Boutique condos built in historical Pennsylvania Avenue building

Posted on August 23, 2023 by - Press

By Benjamin C Tankersley | August 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. EST

 

In the 1890s, three Queen Anne-style Victorian rowhouses were built at Pennsylvania Avenue and 25th Street NW, near Rock Creek, that were taller, wider and more eye-catching than other residences in the neighborhood. Two of the three buildings, known as the Mullett Rowhouses, have become the main building of 2525 Penn, a 15-unit condominium complex with modern interiors but historical exterior features.

 

The rowhouses were designed by Alfred B. Mullett, at one time the supervising architect for the Treasury Department. Known for flamboyant, sometimes controversial designs, he was the architect of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington and other federal buildings throughout the country.

The Mullett Rowhouses, designed after he left the federal government, were red brick with large bays, arched windows, a turret and a mansard roof, according to the D.C. Preservation League.

Two rowhouses were renovated into the main condominium building, with 12 one- and two-bedroom units. A building on land once occupied by a carriage house, behind the main building, has three more units. This smaller building is entirely new but is also referred to as the carriage house.

Patrick Bloomfield, principal at PT Blooms Development, the 2525 Penn developer, explained some of the choices made to honor the original exterior design.

“We decided to keep the raw red brick color on the upper facade to preserve the look of the building,” Bloomfield said. “The arched windows were completely refurbished and replaced to restore them to their original glory, and the turret and mansard on the outside were completely replaced with new slate.”

The five-story main building has a lobby and retail space on the first floor. Condominium units are on the four floors above the lobby and have elevator access. The four-story carriage house has a garage with two parking spaces (both already sold) and bike storage on the first floor. It has a two-bedroom unit on the second floor, and there are two two-story units — a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom — on the floors above garage level. This building has no elevator.

The complex has two common areas for residents. A second-floor terrace with seating and planters is accessible to residents of the carriage house. A rooftop entertainment area at the main building, for all residents, has an outdoor terrace and an indoor kitchenette with a garage-door-style window that opens to a bar with seating. The outdoor terrace has additional seating, a firepit, a grill and a dog-washing station. The terrace has views of Washington and the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Va. Solar panels on the roof provide power to common areas of the building.

On the west side of the building is a sidewalk-to-rooftop mural by artist Ham Glass, who called it “an expression of movement through bright and colorful shapes and patterns.”

Floor plans vary, in part, because of the shape of the main building’s footprint. Each floor has a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit facing Pennsylvania Avenue. Most units have nine- or 10-foot ceilings, and unit 504 has a 27-foot ceiling in the kitchen, under a turret. All units have recessed lighting in most living spaces, LED-bar lighting in the bathrooms and pendant lights in the kitchens. All units have a full-size Whirlpool washer and dryer.

Kitchens

Kitchens have quartz countertops, and most have stainless-steel Bosch appliances, including a 30-inch gas range. Three two-bedroom units in the main building have an ASKO dishwasher set in the peninsula and a 36-inch range. Unit 504 has a Bosch dishwasher and a curved countertop under a bay window. Electrical outlets are under the upper cabinets so no outlets are in the tile backsplashes.

Bathrooms

The homes facing Pennsylvania Avenue have an en suite bathroom with a shower in the primary bedroom suite and a bathroom with a tub-shower combo next to the living area. One-bedroom units in the middle of the main building — with windows on the west side — have one full bathroom with a shower. One-bedroom units at the rear of the building have a bathroom with a tub-shower combo. In the carriage house, two units have one full bathroom and one unit has a full bathroom and a powder room.

One-bathroom units have a Porcelanosa silver-striped tile shower surround, a white-tile floor and a single-sink vanity with a white-quartz countertop.

In two-bathroom units, the primary bathroom has a floating double-sink vanity with a quartz countertop. The frameless shower has a rain showerhead and a handheld showerhead, a Porcelanosa silver-striped tile shower surround and white-tile shower and bathroom floors. The other bathroom has a tub-shower combo, a single-sink vanity with a white-quartz counter and a gray-tile shower surround and floor.

Neighborhood

West End near Georgetown. Rock Creek is less than a block away. Entrances to the C&O Trailhead Canal Towpath and the Rock Creek Trail are across the bridge on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The 2525 Penn complex is on the edge of the West End neighborhood, next to Georgetown. Trader Joe’s is a block away, and shops, restaurants, gyms and hotels are less than a half-mile away.

Schools

Elementary: School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens

Middle and High: Cardozo Education Campus

Transit

The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail station, on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, is less than half a mile away. Metrobus 31, 33 and 38B routes have a stop in front of the main building on Pennsylvania Avenue.

What Sets It Apart

“This is an opportunity to purchase a new-construction product in an historically preserved building,” said listing agent Jennie Mann, vice president at McWilliams Ballard. “New construction is rare in West End, and to have inventory in our price range is difficult to find.”

The interior designs “incorporate a classic warmness using wood tones as a focal feature throughout, said interior designer Krystel Bloomfield, owner of Leni Designs. “Overall, our goal was to have a refreshing take on blending classic and modern aesthetics that would still allow the home buyer room to give the space a personal touch.”

Washington Business Journal talks with McWilliams|Ballard about luxury kitchens

Posted on February 20, 2023 by - Press

Meet the most expensive luxury kitchens of Greater Washington

Washington Business Journal | Washington, DC | February 17, 2023

 

If you’re wondering what really sets Greater Washington’s luxury homes apart from the rest, forget the waterfront views, theater rooms and basketball courts — it’s really about the kitchen.

 

We spoke with nine D.C.-area real estate professionals, and one thing on which they all agree is that wealthy homebuyers have some very upscale demands for their culinary nerve centers, both aesthetically and practically. That’s especially true since 2020, when we started spending more time in our kitchens, and homes in general, than ever before.

 

Now many are taking the leap to secure the kitchen of their dreams, one that’s ideal for entertaining — a.k.a., as large as an apartment itself. Here’s what that means for the most luxurious homes on the market, according to listing agents on the front line.

 

The experts:

 

    • Chris Masters, partner with McWilliams|Ballard
    • Rory Coakley, president of Coakley Realty
    • Sherri Anne Greene, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty in D.C.
    • Robert Hryniewicki, partner at HRL Partners of Washington Fine Properties
    • Gary Jankowski, of the Gary & Michael Team at Coldwell Banker Realty in the Mid-Atlantic
    • Bryan Kerrigan, principal premier agent at Redfin
    • Justin Levitch, president of RLAH Properties
    • Lindsay Lucas, senior vice president at Compass
    • Stacy Rodgers, luxury collection specialist at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

The Look

 

What’s out: All-white, colorless kitchens

What’s in: Natural woods and colors, spacious and open to a den, hidden cabinets

 

All our experts agreed that kitchens built for entertaining are key, which also means not being walled off from your guests or family. The ideal space includes:

    • High ceilings
    • Two large islands with attractive stone countertops
    • Seating and casual eating area
    • Paneled appliances integrated into the walls
    • Large pantry with its own food prep space
    • Adjoining lounge area

“Most importantly, all this space would have a wall of windows/doors overlooking the terrace, rear garden and swimming pool all on the same level,” Robert Hryniewicki said.

 

“I toured a home recently where the wall behind the appliances and sink was flat, if you will, and adorned with custom narrow vertical wood panels, no hinges, no knobs, no pulls, no cabinets or at first glance that is what you thought. Just this beautiful wall of wood with art pieces smartly centered on the wall. The wood mimicked the hardwoods on the floor. At a quick glance it made one wonder where the homeowner stored their plates, glassware, and the like. But a gentle push of one of the custom panels revealed completely recessed cabinets along the entire flat wall. The luxury was truly in creating such an open and different sight line and airiness to the kitchen that those with open cluttered shelves, or big bulky cabinets can’t create.”

 

— Sherri Anne Greene, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Go, Go Gadgets

What’s out: Just one dishwasher

What’s in: Induction stoves, smart appliances, wine fridges and crushed ice makers.

 

The hottest appliances and gadgets range from built-in espresso machines to under-counter drawers containing hidden dishwashers. And what with the raging political debate over gas stoves, electric induction stoves are gaining popularity.

 

Lindsay Lucas offered the pro tip of using a magnet to see if your cookware is induction-compatible. “If it is strongly attracted to the pot or pan, you are good to go,” she said.

 

Also, don’t forget the heated porcelain tile floors for your delicate feet.

 

Sherri Anne Green emphasized having multiple dishwashers as a popular feature: “A larger main dishwasher and then smaller dishwasher drawers in the island or cocktail bar area truly make living and cleaning up a breeze.” But appearance isn’t the only priority now, Lucas said, as more buyers also demand energy-efficient, “smart” appliances with Wi-Fi.

Chris Masters, Stacy Rodgers and Bryan Kerrigan all mentioned ice makers — gourmet, crushed or nugget — as among the No. 1 kitchen requests of the day.

Fancy ice is so hot right now.

 

Peak Decadence

Hryniewicki’s most luxurious kitchen ever sold was actually two “enormous” kitchens, in a $11.5 million Wesley Heights home. One was the “hangout kitchen,” adjoining the family room and overlooking a garden. The other, a floor below, was the “chef’s kitchen,” where a hired chef prepared all the family meals.

Rodgers was impressed by something a bit smaller: “I think the one feature that really stuck with me was an indoor under-counter herb-growing cabinet that had an automatic watering system.”

“A full-size wine fridge is the most extravagant kitchen feature I’ve seen recently. It’s a statement and makes you think you’re in for a wine-pairing experience at dinner,” said Justin Levitch. And then there’s the atmosphere, he added, with special lighting, including task, under-cabinet and even at the toe-kick for free-standing islands or cabinets.

Ironically, I suspect that many of the most extravagant, over-the-top kitchens that I’ve seen are rarely used.”

— Gary Jankowski, of the Gary & Michael Team at Coldwell Banker Realty Mid-Atlantic

Urban Turf takes a look inside The Claire

Posted on February 16, 2023 by - Press

The Claire: A Rare Opportunity To Buy In An Ideal Connecticut Avenue Location

Urban Turf | Washington, DC | February 16, 2023

A rare new condominium building on Connecticut Avenue is now open for sales.

The Claire is a sophisticated boutique property featuring 26 expansive one- and two-bedroom residences in DC’s Van Ness neighborhood. Surrounded by century-old residences, The Claire was thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the neighborhood while offering high-end construction, luxe finishes and modern amenities.

Sales for The Claire just began with homes starting from the low $400s.  Buyers will begin making their move into the building in March.

Finishes at The Claire include wide plank hardwood floors, solid core doors, programmable LED lighting (connected to an in-home app) and full-sized GE washers/dryers. Kitchens feature fully integrated Bosch appliances, soft close cabinets with hidden hinges, quartz waterfall islands, gas cooking with fully vented hoods, and full backsplashes; while bathrooms boast custom floor and wall tiling, deep soaking tubs, backlit mirrors and frameless glass shower doors.

The residences range in size from 600 to over 1,100 square feet, and the two penthouse level duplexes offer private outdoor space, ideal for entertaining. Most of the homes also feature private balconies accessible from the living room.

The Claire is an elevator building with amenities including a shared community roof deck and green roof; a security-controlled package room; and a pet washing station. There are also additional storage spaces and parking spaces available.

Positioned in Van Ness and near Cleveland Park, The Claire is in an ideal walking location. It is just one block from the Van Ness-UDC Metro station on the Red Line, boasts views of Rock Creek Park, and is close to The National Zoo and National Cathedral. Giant Food and Starbucks are close by, as are restaurants and shops like Sfoglina Pasta House, Politics & Prose Bookstore and CVS.

The Claire is currently showing a furnished model home and is available for private tours by appointment. For more information, contact McWilliams | Ballard’s Jeremy Aldridge at 202-815-5356 or jaldridge@mcwb.com; or visit the property online at TheClaireDC.com.

Washington Post: Balconies and modern touches featured at The Juliet in Logan Circle

Posted on January 18, 2023 by - Press

By Benjamin C Tankersley | January 18, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. EST

 

The Juliet takes its name from the balconies at this renovated 1890s building. The Juliet balconies, the exterior paint color and other details were chosen to blend into D.C.’s Logan Circle neighborhood. The building, at 1402 12th St. NW, was an event space, known as Ye Olde Firehouse, before it was renovated into 10 condominiums, including a penthouse unit with a bedroom suite and a roof deck on top of the original structure.

 

Developer Patrick Bloomfield said that when he started the project, “it was clear that Juliets [once] existed on the interior court and front of the building. We wanted to make sure that we kept this feature as we felt it was something that made the building unique. That led to French inspired bluish colored paint in the common entry and flower boxes hanging over the Juliet rails to provide that real European feel.”

 

There is no on-site parking. A paid two-year lease on a nearby parking spot will be transferred to the owner of home 10. All homes have white oak flooring, wood cabinetry by MCC Millwork, with white or Calacatta Laza marble-look quartz countertops. Homes have either Kelly Wearstler Nodes pendant or sconce lights. There are two decorated models available to tour, homes 1 and 10.

 

Home 1 has a private entrance at street level on one side of the building. The nine other homes share a door on the other side. Home 1 has a large bay window with a built-in bench. Transom windows above the bay window and the front door let more light into the kitchen and living area. Spiral stairs with a pendant light lead down to the lower level, where there are two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. One bedroom has a walk-in closet; one has a sliding-door closet.

 

In Home 10, the entry hall leads to a large, open-concept living, dining and kitchen area. There are skylights above the kitchen island and a Juliet balcony overlooking the interior courtyard. Off the hall are stairs with a skylight that lead to the penthouse bedroom. This bedroom comes with an en suite bathroom and a closet with a sliding door. French doors open to the roof deck. The deck has a stainless-steel wet bar with a glacier white Corian countertop and a black faucet. Also off the unit’s entrance hall, a second bedroom has a walk-in closet and a hall bathroom.

 

KITCHENS

Kitchens come with a Bosch refrigerator, stove and dishwasher and either a Bosch or Sharp microwave. They all have Delta kitchen fixtures.

The kitchen in unit 1 has a peninsula with room for seating. Upper cabinets are black with glass doors. Cabinets are white oak below the countertops and around the refrigerator. The kitchen has a Calacatta Laza quartz countertop, a bronze Delta faucet and a white picket tile backsplash.

Home 10 has a kitchen island with a light-wood base. The kitchen has black upper cabinets with glass doors and Kelly Wearstler Nodes pendant lights. Cabinets on both ends of the kitchen and below the counter are white oak. The backsplash is white picket tile, and countertops are Calacatta Laza quartz. The microwave is hidden under a flip-up cabinet, and the front of the bottom-freezer refrigerator matches the cabinets. The dishwasher is installed in the island. Appliances include a 36-inch slide-in gas range.

 

BATHROOMS

Home 1 has two bathrooms, including the powder room on the main level, which has a light-wood vanity with a white quartz counter. Downstairs, the two bedrooms share a bathroom that has a frameless glass shower with bronze Delta fixtures and a vertical azure tile shower surround. The single vanity has a Calacatta Laza quartz countertop on a light-wood cabinet. Home 10 has two full bathrooms. The main level has a hall bathroom with a shower-tub combo, bronze Delta fixtures, and a white subway tile shower surround. The single light-wood vanity has a Calacatta Laza quartz countertop. The en suite bathroom on the second level has a frameless glass shower enclosure with a bronze Delta rain shower head, a hand shower and a vertical azure tile shower surround. The single vanity has a Calacatta Laza quartz countertop on a light-wood cabinet.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD

Nearby 14th Street is lively with restaurants and nightlife, including such dining spots as Le Diplomate, Estadio, Birch and Barley and Vegas Lounge. The Nina May and San Lorenzo restaurants are nearby on 11th and Ninth streets, respectively. Many boutique shops and a Whole Foods grocery are also nearby. The Studio Theatre is part of a vibrant arts scene that includes the Terzo Piano DC and Transformer galleries.

 

NEARBY PARKS

Logan Circle is one block away. Cardozo Playground, Shaw Dog Park and Shaw Skate Park are three blocks away.

 

SCHOOLS

Elementary: Seaton Elementary School | Middle and high: Cardozo Education Campus

 

TRANSIT 

Logan Circle is just north of downtown Washington. The G2, 63 and 64 bus routes are within two blocks. The McPherson Square Metro station, on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, is about a mile away, and the Shaw-Howard University station, on the Green and Yellow lines, is about half a mile away.

 

WHAT SETS IT APART

The Juliet, a renovated 1890s building, was designed to blend into the historical Logan Circle neighborhood. The interiors include custom architectural touches and high-end finishes, Bloomfield said. The neighborhood, in Northwest Washington, is walkable, with plenty of shops and restaurants on 14th and other nearby streets. Northern parts of downtown are also within walking distance.

Urban Turf Features Stella’s Rent-To-Buy Program

Posted on November 4, 2022 by - Press

Urban Turf | Washington, DC | November 4th, 2022

 

Last week, UrbanTurf looked at how rent-to-buy scenarios are making a return to the housing market in the current high interest rate environment. Today, we take a look at how a new condo development in DC is utilizing this strategy.

The Stella, an 18-unit condo project in Petworth, is offering a lease-to-own program called “Pathway to Homeownership” on its remaining homes. Here is how it works for a two-bedroom unit: The purchaser and seller come to terms on a sales price of $480,000 for the condo. They agree on a rent amount of $3,400 per month with a lease duration of 12 months. Rent payments are made directly to the title company, and 70% of the monthly rent ($2,380) is held in escrow for the duration of the lease. The remaining 30% ($1,020) is used to cover operational expenses such as condo fees, property taxes, utilities, etc.

At the end of the 12-month lease, the purchaser/renter can elect to move forward to settlement and complete the purchase using the balance of funds held in the escrow account ($28,560) towards their down payment, closing costs, or other settlement costs. Otherwise, the purchaser/renter releases the amount held in escrow as a final rent payment and move-out as they would in a traditional lease.

“Theoretically a person could sign up with this program and end up with 6% of a down payment, just by paying rent for a year,” Robbie Cook of McWilliams|Ballard said. “Since many loan options only require 3% or 5% down, this is more than enough to get someone into a home they then own.”

The Washington Post Features Agudo in Union Market

Posted on May 3, 2022 by - Press

Only one of four units is still for sale. It has three bedrooms and is listed at $924,900.

By Scott Sowers, Washington Post

The four high-end condos at 513 M St. NE are two-story residences in a one-of-a-kind building in the Union Market neighborhood. Only one unit remains for sale.

The currently available Unit C, on the lower and ground-floor levels, measures 1,870 square feet and has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a powder room (half-bath). It’s listed at $924,900. The condo fee is $196 a month. Move-ins for the other units are expected to start in the next few weeks.

Each of the two upper units has a rooftop deck. Each of the lower units, including Unit C, has a below-ground patio at the back of the building. There are parking spaces, but they have all been sold. The building was once a church — the development team helped relocate the congregation — and D.C.-based Kube Architecture did the design work for its conversion into condominium units. Warmington Oppenheim Development is the developer.

Angled bay windows facing the street are among the building’s most distinctive features.

“One of the biggest challenges in designing condos is bringing natural light and fresh air into the middle of the units,” said Janet Bloomberg, a partner in Kube. “Often, we’re working in rowhouses or attached units that have party walls on one or both sides, so this is difficult. We develop creative plan layouts to allow for operable windows in the middle of the units, making them feel more open and breathable.”

The building is a short walk from Union Market, which has a long, rich connection to the wholesale and retail food businesses. The city has been encouraging investment in and development of 45 acres sandwiched between Florida and New York avenues NE.

The effort has paid off, according to Kate Hanley of McWilliams Ballard, who is in charge of sales and marketing at 513 M Street NE.

“There is very little [residential] inventory in the Union Market area, and what is there is not of the same quality as this project,” Hanley said. “The combination of high quality and high design, in a neighborhood that is booming, made this project a success.”

The neighborhood continues to move upscale with the addition of the quick-selling condominium project at 513 M Street NE. Matthew Oppenheim, a principal in Warmington Oppenheim, said going with an edgy design was a good gamble.

“Our M Street project is flanked by two projects that are generic and don’t contribute any character to the neighborhood,” Oppenheim said. “There is a price premium attached to our units. The unit contract prices have set a record in the Union Market neighborhood.”

Warmington Oppenheim advocates preservation rules that make it possible to put well-designed, well-made modern buildings in traditional neighborhoods.

“We love diversity in design and think it adds a lot of character to the city to see rowhouses next to well-executed contemporary projects,” said Brett Warmington, also a Warmington Oppenheim principal. “Preservation is important but can also hold some neighborhoods back. Design guidelines that mandate quality of materials and execution are equally as important as any preservation guidelines.”

Bloomberg, the architect, said buyers are attracted to interesting design. “I definitely believe that condos designed in a creative or unexpected way sell faster,” Bloomberg said. “People are looking for a home that stands out as high design. They don’t want their home to look like all the others.”

Schools: J.O. Wilson Elementary, Stuart-Hobson Middle, Eastern High School

Transit: The NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station (Red Line) is less than a half-mile to the west. The 90 and 92 bus routes run on Florida Avenue NE and Eighth Street NE.

Nearby: Union Market, Gallaudet University, Union Station, Alethia Tanner Park.

513 M Street NE

Four condominiums were built, and one unit remains for sale. It’s listed at $924,900.

Builder: Warmington Oppenheim Development

Features: The chef’s kitchen has an island, walk-in pantry, Bosch appliances (including six-burner range) and custom maple kitchen cabinetry. The unit also has white oak floors, Nest smart doorbell and Nest smart thermostat.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 3/2.5

Square footage: 1,870

Condominium fee: $196 a month

View model: By appointment

Sales: Kate Hanley of McWilliams Ballard at 202-568-3045 or khanley@mcwb.com

81 Stylish Condominiums Are Coming Soon to an Ideal Old Town Location

Posted on November 9, 2021 by - Press

Undeniable style, a centralized location, elevated design, and cosmopolitan lifestyles — these are the hallmarks of urban living and what you can expect when Towngate North comes to Old Town North Alexandria.

Anchored at the intersection of Slaters Lane and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Towngate North offers 81 stylish condominium residences with exceptional access to the quaint charm of Old Town and the hustle and bustle of DC.

“We know our owners want and expect to have it all when choosing urban DC living and I can say Towngate more than delivers,” said Gregg Hughes, Senior Vice President at Brookfield Residential. “Whether it was selecting the condominium’s location, amenities or floorplan options, every time we thought what we had couldn’t get any better, we pushed ourselves a little further to offer an unrivaled living experience.”

Towngate North is scheduled to open for pre-sales in early 2022, with residences in the first building ready for move-in by fall 2022. The second building will be ready to welcome new owners in early 2023.

This new condominium community by Brookfield Residential features two thoughtfully detailed buildings with 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences. Each floorplan is defined by flowing open spaces and abundant natural light. Prices range from the $400’s to $1.6M. Residences at Towngate North will feature a refreshing blend of timeless designs with polished finishes, offering owners a rare combination of modern style and comforting warmth in their home. Amenities at Towngate North include a building concierge, clubroom for gatherings and conference space.There is also a fitness room for energizing workouts, a dog spa to pamper the pups and a rooftop terrace to unwind with gorgeous Old Town views.

Homeowners will be just moments from George Washington Memorial Park and the Mount Vernon Trail, where they can cruise into the heart of Old Town for dinner, shopping or a show. Or they can hop in the car and take the George Washington Memorial Parkway into downtown DC.

Discerning home buyers will easily recognize that Towngate North offers an ideal combination of style, sophistication and location, and the property is expected to sell quickly.

To learn more about Towngate North and register for VIP updates, visit TowngateNorth.com.

At City Homes in DC, condo-living is a multilevel thing

Posted on October 19, 2021 by - Uncategorized, Press

By Connie Dufner, Washington Post | October 19, 2021

Jordan Mixter said she knew one thing for sure when she and her partner were searching for a new home: The dining room table as office was done, and so was pandemic-style work-life imbalance.
So, when they started contemplating a move from their apartment in D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood, space and lifestyle were priorities. They looked at a mix of options, including existing rowhouses, a Brookland bungalow and new homes of various types.
“My partner is much more into new things than I am,” said Mixter, director of operations and strategy for a think tank. “I loved the charm of a bungalow, but I kept thinking about the upkeep and the repairs. It was more than I wanted to bite off.” At City Homes Eckington, in Northeast Washington’s Eckington neighborhood, the couple found a pleasing blend of new construction, urban neighborhood romance and, most importantly, a feeling of spaciousness, both mental and physical.
“I wasn’t against buying a condo,” Mixter said. “I just wanted it to feel like we were buying a home.” They chose a two-story residence in the City Homes community of 45 townhouse-style condos, which opened for sales in September. About 30 percent of the units have been sold, and owners are expected to begin moving in over the next few weeks.
City Homes is one of three residential communities in the Quincy Lane mixed-use development, along with the condos at 1625 Eckington and the Judd & Weiler rental apartments.
When complete, Quincy Lane will have a variety of shops and restaurants connected by a pedestrian-friendly cobblestone street. Businesses open there now are Union Kitchen, a commercial kitchen, and Brooklyn Boulders, an indoor rock-climbing gym.
City Homes units have mostly two- and three-bedroom configurations in three floor plans. (One of the units is a one-bedroom.) Most units have two floors; the penthouses have three. Each unit has at least one private outdoor space.
Interiors were designed by the firm Cecconi Simone, and the building’s corridors feature three seven-piece collections — by painter Steven Cushner and multimedia artists Teal Price and Julie Wolfe.
Grosvenor Group is the City Homes developer. KTGY did the architecture, and McWilliams Ballard is doing sales and marketing.
Mixter’s unit, which she hopes to move into this fall, has a walkout patio and plenty of storage space. “We love that it’s two-story and lives like a home,” Mixter said. “The appliances are beautiful. I love gas cooking, so the gas range was a big plus.”Mixter added: “We have been stuck in an apartment without even a small balcony, so we appreciate the designated outdoor space. There’s plenty of interaction with the urban environment around you.”Another homeowner, Michael Moore, a real estate broker with Compass, said he learned about City Homes from a sales presentation on Zoom. “I went to look at the model on a Saturday, and through the weekend, I kept thinking, ‘I really like them,’” he said.
He liked the two walk-in closets in the primary bedroom and the one in the guest bedroom. The construction was solid, Moore said, and the outdoor space inviting. “It checked all the boxes for me,” he said. “As a real estate agent, I’ve seen a lot. I asked to come back a second time, with a different set of eyes, looking at it for my personal use. I’m very picky about quality, and I found it excellent in 95 percent of the categories.”

Moore selected the community’s model unit, which will become available after the project is built out.Quincy Lane is “very forward thinking, like CityCenter, with a large pedestrian walkway and lights across the alley. I can walk up from my home and grab a coffee or groceries,” Moore said.

Nearby: City Homes is about a half-mile from Union Market, across the street from Alethia Tanner Park and a quarter-mile from the Metropolitan Branch Trail. It is less than two miles from Union Station and about 3.5 miles from Nationals Park.
Schools: Langley Elementary, McKinley Middle, Dunbar High

Transit: City Homes is about a half-mile from the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station, on the Red Line. Many buses serve the area, including routes on North Capitol Street, R Street and Florida Avenue.

City Homes Eckington
1500 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington
The community of 45 townhouse-style condos has a two-level, one-bedroom unit from $699,900; two-level, two- and three-bedroom units from $795,900; and three-level, three-bedroom penthouse units from $999,900.
Developer: Grosvenor Group
Features: Kitchens have Fisher & Paykel appliances, including gas cooktops, double ovens and double-drawer dishwashers; flat-panel cabinetry with soft-close hardware; built-in trash and recycling drawers; soapstone quartz countertops; and Perla white quartz backsplashes. Each residence has one or more private outdoor spaces in the form of a patio, terrace or balcony. Penthouse units include private roof terraces. Primary bathrooms have matte-black plumbing hardware by Pfister, Kohler fixtures, a frameless shower door and a deep soaking tub by Kohler. A parking garage is under the building, and 43 spaces are available for purchase.
Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 3 / 2 to 4
Square-footage: 950 to 1,470
Homeowners’ fees: $310 to $489 a month, depending on unit size
Contact: David Klimas with McWilliams Ballard, 202-431-1272 or dklimas@mcwb.com

Towngate North, Office buildings in Old Town Alexandria to be converted to new condos

Posted on October 11, 2021 by - Press

By Michele Lerner, Washington Post | October 6, 2021

The office-to-housing conversion continues, this time in Old Town Alexandria, Va. Brookfield Residential recently announced plans to transition offices into two condominium buildings called Towngate North in an Old Town North neighborhood at 625 and 635 Slaters Lane.

“Towngate North is comprised of two former corporate buildings which we’ll be extensively renovating to transform into upscale condominiums,” wrote Gregg Hughes, senior vice president at Brookfield Residential, in an email. “We’re excited to use our expertise in innovative homebuilding to revitalize these existing buildings into a new opportunity for people to join the vibrant Old Town North community.”

The 81 one-, two- and three-bedroom condos are anticipated to be priced from the mid $400,000s to $1.6 million. Presales are expected to begin in early 2022, with the first building ready for occupants in October 2022 and the second building ready in early 2023. Planned amenities at Towngate North include a clubroom, conference room, fitness center with yoga room, dog spa, bike storage areas and a rooftop terrace with views of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Concierge services will also be available.

The Mount Vernon Trail, a paved trail for biking, jogging and walking which stretches 18 miles from Mount Vernon to Roosevelt Island along the Potomac River, will be easily accessible from the development. Towngate North is 1.2 miles from the Braddock Road Metro station and 1.7 miles from Potomac Yard, where a new Metro station is scheduled to open in fall 2022.

The Old Town Waterfront and the shops and restaurants on King Street are about 1.5 miles from the development. Other nearby neighborhoods include Del Ray, Shirlington, and Pentagon City. The development is just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway to drive into D.C. Reagan National Airport is two miles from Towngate North.

For more information and to be placed on a priority list, visit www.TowngateNorth.com

Urban Turf Highlights Eckington’s Quincy Lane Opening

Posted on September 10, 2021 by - Press

Eckington’s Quincy Lane Opens Doors to Two Stylish Properties

September 10, 2021 by UrbanTurf 

Quincy Lane—Eckington’s energetic new pedestrian-centric meeting point—is welcoming homeowners to a mix of stylish condominiums, townhomes and apartments, all anchored by exciting new retail.

On September 25th from 4:00 to 6:00pm, the cobblestone community will come alive with local vendors, live music, food and drinks. Prospective buyers will have a chance to tour new models at both City Homes, a collection of 45 multi-level townhome-style residences; and 1625 Eckington, a contemporary 179-condominium property. To RSVP for the opening fair, visit QuincyLaneRSVP.com.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the soon-to-open Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym and taste food from some of Union Kitchen’s forthcoming restaurants. Quincey Lane will also be home to Union Kitchen Commissary, a convenient neighborhood grocery store featuring prepared meals and groceries for owners.

City Homes is a timeless collection of connected townhome-style residences by internationally renowned interior design firm, Cecconi Simone. City Homes blends stylish contemporary interiors—featuring oversized windows, modern kitchens, work nooks and carefully curated living spaces—with private outdoor spaces. The homes are priced from $794,900 and move-ins for the property will begin in early fall.

The condominiums at 1625 Eckington feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom residences with spacious floor plans, nine-foot ceilings, kitchens featuring Porcelanosa cabinetry and Bosch appliances, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame quintessential DC views. Owners at 1625 Eckington have access to a host of high-end amenities, including concierge staffed front desk, lobby-level meeting and lounge space, in addition to a rooftop fitness center, community room with built-in kitchen and expansive Nana wall that opens onto a rooftop terrace and private pool. Pricing starts from the mid $300s with homes available for immediate move-in.

Eckington is one of Washington DC’s oldest neighborhoods, full of historic Victorian homes and a wide variety of established and new commercial highlights. Local favorites include Union Market, Red Hen, Big Bear Café, Uncle Chips, Cotton and Reed and Anxo Cidery & Pintxos Bar. Quincy Lane is also steps from Alethia Tanner Park, the NOMA-Gallaudet Metro station and Metropolitan Branch Trail.

For more information about the Quincy Lane opening fair, and to RSVP, please visit QuincyLaneRSVP.com.

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