Category: Press

D.C. condos offer luxury galore, but the neighborhood is the main amenity

Posted on March 20, 2018 by - Press

By Michele Lerner March 20 at 6:30 AM

The Elysium in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington is a 32-unit condo building, about half of which are sold. The remaining condos are priced from $1,299,900 to $2,999,900. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

The preference for walkability among every age group has led to an explosion of development in urban areas and the creation of mini-cities in the suburbs, so residents can replicate the experience of living near restaurants and work.

Among the most sought-after walkable parts of the District is Logan Circle, where residents can take their pick of enjoying the park, a play, a casual meal, an elegant dining experience or picking up groceries on the way home from work.

The neighborhood is what first drew Holly Maine, director for Mid-Atlantic sales for Spotify, to buy a condo at Elysium Logan at 1427 Rhode Island Ave. NW.

“I was living in a small condo near Shaw, but I wanted to be in a neighborhood that was more walkable and central,” Maine says. “I can walk to work and to almost everything, plus I can use buses and Uber or walk to the Dupont Metro station.”

Elysium Logan’s 32 condos, which range from under $500,000 for a one-bedroom unit to about $3 million for a duplex penthouse, are already nearly half-sold, with just 12 units left.

“This is the most high-end luxury building we’ve built so far,” says Barry Madani, co-founder of Madison Investments. “No expense was spared, because we know how much people want to live in this location.”

Peace and privacy: Details such as triple-pane windows and thick concrete between floors keep the condos quiet, and a private elevator for the front-facing units adds a touch of prestige for those condos.

“The two-bedroom units are large, with 1,400 to 1,900 square feet, plus the penthouses have 2,000 to 2,400 square feet,” Madani said. “We designed those to appeal to downsizing empty-nesters or to high-net-worth individuals. But we also designed half the building with one-bedrooms with 550 to 750 square feet, so there’s a mix of units.”

The main amenity for residents is the neighborhood, Madani said. The building has a front desk and concierge services.

Elysium Logan fills a former vacant lot and was designed by PGN Architects, with interiors by Akseizer Design Group. The condos facing Rhode Island Avenue have balconies and bay windows; the interior units, particularly on the lower levels, view adjacent buildings.

Although the two-bedroom units have balconies, the building doesn’t have a communal roof deck. Maine said she didn’t use the roof deck at her previous condo, so she doesn’t miss it now.

“I knew I wanted new construction and a larger, but not huge building,” Maine said. “Elysium also appealed to me because it’s very modern, and the unit has a neutral palette that you can leave as is or personalize.”


The kitchen has quartz counters, high-end stainless-steel appliances from Thermador and Bosch and cabinets from Poggenpohl. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Bay windows: The units get larger on higher floors, with just four condos per floor on the second-through-sixth levels and three units on the penthouse level.

Unit 301, a two-bedroom, three-bathroom condo that faces Rhode Island Avenue, can be reached via a private elevator directly into the foyer or from the building’s regular elevator and hallway. The unit is priced at $1,849,900, with a condo fee of $907. The 1,800-square-foot condo features a dramatically open kitchen, den, living area and dining area, each of which is somewhat defined by bay windows in between the regular floor-to-ceiling windows.

Half-height windows on the bays can be opened; the other windows cannot. This unit has a coat closet next to the front door, a powder room for guests and a full-size laundry room with space for adding shelving for extra storage.

The master bedroom has two walk-in closets and a large bathroom with an oversize shower, a double-sink vanity and a free-standing soaking tub. The second bedroom has a double-door closet and a private balcony.

Unit 304, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo priced at $1,409,900, with a monthly condo fee of $755, has a coat closet and a laundry room, with a closet near the front door. Across one end of this 1,500-square-foot unit is an open space that includes the kitchen, a study, a living area and a dining area with a balcony. The master bedroom in this condo includes two walk-in closets and a large bathroom with a free-standing soaking tub, a double-sink vanity and a glass-enclosed shower. The second bedroom has a door to the second bathroom, which is also accessible from the hallway. The bedroom has two pocket doors connected to the living area and a walk-in closet.


Many units have a full-size laundry room, and the two-bedroom units have balconies. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Penthouse 801, a two-bedroom, 2,300-squre-foot condo with two full bathrooms and two powder rooms, is priced at $2,999,900, with a monthly condo fee of $1,209. Although this unit is similar on the main level to Unit 301, its main living area is narrower because it includes two balconies on the front, in addition to the balcony off the second bedroom. A staircase behind the kitchen leads to the upper level, which has an open family room, a built-in wet bar, a powder room, and access to a roof deck with a view of the Washington Monument and the city skyline.

The building has eight parking spaces, three of which are reserved for the penthouse purchasers.

What’s nearby: Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods grocery stores are close, along with the Studio Theatre, the Source Theatre, the Black Cat and Vegas Lounge music venues, and numerous restaurants to match every taste: tapas at Estadio and Barcelona, seafood at Pearl Dive Oyster Place, French food at Le Diplomate, pork-centric meals at the Pig, Belgian food at B Too, and Italian food at Ghibellina, Lupo Verde and Etto’s. Residents can walk to Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and U Street for more restaurants and shops.

Schools: Ross Elementary, School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens, Cardozo High.

Transit: The neighborhood is served by numerous bus routes. Six Metro stations are within one mile: Dupont Circle, Farragut West, Farragut North, McPherson Square, Shaw and U Street.


“This is the most high-end luxury building we’ve built so far,” says Barry Madani, co-founder of Madison Investments. “No expense was spared, because we know how much people want to live in this location.” (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)
Elysium Logan

1427 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington

The remaining condos are priced from $1,299,900 to $2,999,900.

Builder: Madison Investments

Features: The condos have open floor plans with hardwood flooring, floor-to-ceiling triple-pane windows, quartz counters, high-end stainless-steel appliances from Thermador and Bosch, cabinets from Poggenpohl, walk-in closets, free-standing soaking tubs in the master bathroom, glass-enclosed showers, backlighted vanity mirrors and floating vanities. Many units have a full-size laundry room, and the two-bedroom units have balconies. Some units have semi-private elevator access.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 or 2 / 1 to 4

Square footage: About 550 to 2,300

Condominium association fees: $755 to $1,209 per month for the remaining units

View models: Open by appointment.

Contact: Kurt Rieschick, Vice President of McWilliams|Ballard, at 202-415-3446; or visit elysiumlogan.com.

Canopy By Hilton Opens in Pike & Rose

Posted on March 16, 2018 by - Press

Published: 
By Bethesda Beat Staff

Canopy in August, while some construction was still underway.

Canopy in August, while some construction was still underway.

JOE ZIMMERMANN

Canopy by Hilton, a 177-room hotel in Pike & Rose, opened Thursday, according to Federal Realty, which manages the North Bethesda development of stores, restaurants and residences.

The hotel is part of an upscale brand run by multinational hospitality giant Hilton. It features 12 suites and 34 queen rooms, and bedrooms include open-concept closets, 55-inch TVs and Nespresso machines.

Canopy, which sits on Rose Avenue, also has 7,700-square-feet of event space and serves food from local farms and beer from local breweries including 7 Locks Brewing in Rockville, Waredaca Brewing in Gaithersburg and Jailbreak Brewing in Rockville.

It’s estimated to accommodate 65,000 guests annually, hotel officials said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last March. Residents started moving into 930 Rose, the condos directly above Canopy, this month as well. A number of retail businesses and restaurants are expected to open in the North Bethesda development this year, including a Nando’s Peri-Peri and Taylor Gourmet beneath Canopy.

Real Estate Condos offer a mix of floor plans to appeal to those moving up and moving down

Posted on March 2, 2018 by - Press

The Enclave in Fairfax City, Va., has 80 condominium units in two buildings. Sixty-four are sold. Sixteen are for sale and immediate occupancy. The units range from $447,000 to $637,900. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)
On 3½ acres along Pickett Road in the city of Fairfax, two four-story condominium buildings over two concrete garages are filling up.

A mix of 80 one- to three-bedroom units — some with dens — and nearly a dozen floor plans is attractive to move-up or first-time buyers, which comprise about a third of the sales, and to the “move-down,” or downsizing, market, which is strong, said Patrick J. Rhodes Jr., vice president and senior project manager at the IDI Group Cos., the builder. McWilliams Ballard is handling sales.

IDI, owned by the Cecchi family, has been in business 42 years and is renowned for development of Leisure World. “We know what the active-adult community likes and offer a lifestyle change that’s comfortable and affordable,” Rhodes said.

“We’ve taken the suggestions purchasers have given us over the years to make a home work for them and incorporated them into our designs and floor plans,” he said.

The Enclave embodies those structural and design elements. For example, features include an open floor plan with kitchen, living and dining rooms forming the core living area; large windows; a master bedroom situated apart from the other rooms for maximum privacy; and abundant storage space inside and outside the unit.

Right-sizing: Anne Hall downsized into a three-bedroom-plus den on the top floor in January. “I had definite ideas about what I wanted, and southern exposure was a must,” she said. She actually got both southern and eastern exposures because her unit is a corner.

“I wake up every day and am happy I’m here,” Hall said.

Bruce and Connie Lauther also moved in January from a house they’d lived in for 34 years. “We noticed a sign for condos going up in mid-2016 and zipped right in,” Connie Lauther said.

“We’re ‘right-sizers,’ ” she said. “We came from a three-level house and had to get rid of a lot of stuff, but didn’t mind because the rooms here are spacious and we’re very comfortable.”

Walking through the glass entry door into the lobby is pleasant because it’s as though you’ve entered someone’s living room. There’s a couch, side chair, coffee table and glossy, dark-blue wall bookcases.

Straight ahead, through glass doors, is the Club Room, with seating areas for small groups around square game tables, on high stools along a bar top and on side chairs. Residents can rent the room for private parties. The Lauthers play bridge and look forward to inviting their club members. A fitness room is inside.

A fire pit and barbecue patio will be built. “We’ve created an outside environment because we know our residents like to be active,” Rhodes said.

The kitchen is outfitted with stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, an island that’s 11 feet at the longer end and an oversize single-bowl sink. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Nearby: “The location is a wow for every need and age,” Bruce Lauther said. He said he’s happy that George Mason University, the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College and the county recreation facilities at Oak Marr RECenter are close, and the greenery of the Army-Navy Club is within a mile. He applauds the Fairfax Regional Library and historic downtown Fairfax, with its restaurants, visitors center and museum.

Shopping: Fair City Mall has 40 stores, dining establishments and commercial venues, including Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Best Buy, a cinema, beauty salons, a tailor, a dental office and clothing shops. Trader Joe’s and Wegmans are in Fairfax. The Mosaic District is less than two miles away and is a shopping and entertainment destination for locals and visitors — especially with the Angelika Film Center, which offers indie movies.

Schools: Daniels Run Elementary, Lanier Middle, Fairfax High.

Transit: The community is about 20 miles from the District and minutes from downtown Fairfax. It’s south of Interstate 66 at Exit 64 and south of Virginia Routes 50 and 29/Lee Highway. The closest Metro station, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange Line, is about a mile away on the CUE bus route, which “takes you within four-to-five easy walking blocks of anywhere you might wish to go within the city of Fairfax,” Bruce Lauther said. A bus stop is steps from the Enclave buildings. The MetroBus 29N route connects with the King Street-Old Town Metro station on the Blue and Yellow lines in Alexandria and with Alexandria Union Station on Amtrak.

The master bedroom is situated apart from the other rooms for maximum privacy. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

The Enclave
9450 Silver King Ct., Fairfax City, Va.

There are 80 condominium units in two buildings. Sixty-four are sold. Sixteen are for sale and immediate occupancy. The units range from $447,000 to $637,900.

Builder: IDI Group Cos.

Features: The ceiling height is nine feet. Engineered hardwood floors are in the main living area. The kitchen is outfitted with Whirlpool stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, an island that’s 11 feet at the longer end and an oversize single-bowl sink. There are ceramic tiles in the bathrooms. Units have an inside utilities room, which can be controlled by the owner. A stacked washer and dryer are in a closet. No-cost storage facilities down the hall are available for each unit. One garage space can be purchased for $20,000.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 3 / 1 to 2

Square footage: 1,178 to 1,501

Condominium association fee: $409.30 to $521.24 per month.

View model: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Contact: Andria Garbis at 703-865-0125 or theenclavefairfax.com.

Washington Post Discovers The Luxury Townhomes Of Heritage Row

Posted on February 23, 2018 by - Press

A lack of parking led to the building of Capitol Hill luxury townhouses
By Michele Lerner February 20

The townhouses at Heritage Row on Capitol Hill are priced from $2.4 million to $2.7 million. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Parking can be a chronic complaint, particularly in crowded neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, but the solution to a parking crunch rarely results in the development of upscale housing. But in the case of the six luxury-level townhouses at Heritage Row, it was the need for a parking garage for employees and visitors to the Heritage Foundation think tank that drove the development.

“An affiliate of the Heritage Foundation asked us to develop a parking garage, and a residential component was needed to get rezoning approval,” says Steve Kay, co-owner of Encore Development in Bethesda, developers of Heritage Row, 428 Third St. NE. “We’re bullish on the location, within blocks of the Capitol building, congressional offices, lobbyist and government offices, as well as Union Station and tons of restaurants.”

The unusual arrangement resulted in a parking garage for Heritage that includes six private one-car “garage-within-a-garage” units, each with an attached storage and trash closet and a direct entrance into a townhouse. Encore Development previously built Alban Row in Cathedral Heights and Wormley Row in Georgetown, each upscale townhouse developments with attached parking. At Heritage Row, the company purchased the air rights above the parking garage to be able to build the townhouses.

“Our goal is that people will see these townhouses and think they are beautifully restored, 100-year-old townhouses, at least from the outside,” Kay said. “Across the street from Heritage Row are historic townhouses, so we wanted to respect that style.”

“I’d seen the work Steve Kay did at Wormley Row and told him I would buy one of his houses if he built one on Capitol Hill,” Della Ratta said. “Quality workmanship is extremely important to me and I know that they wouldn’t skimp on anything.”

Cunningham and Quill Architects designed facades to evoke the history of Capitol Hill, while adding a slightly more contemporary style to the interiors.

“There’s light and openness from the front to the back of the townhouses, but we also added some definition to the rooms with a two-sided fireplace,” Kay said. “You get three distinct areas on the main level but with plenty of light and space.”

The crown moldings and architectural moldings along the stairwell are traditional features of Capitol Hill rowhouses but have been installed here with cleaner, more modern lines, said Chris Masters, executive vice president of McWilliams Ballard.

Although people who work on Capitol Hill might love the location, the $2.4 million to $2.7 million price tag for these homes limits the pool of buyers who can afford them.


The kitchen has white Shaker-style cabinets and quartz counters and a quartz backsplash that resemble marble. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Nine-foot-tall windows: Two of the six townhouses have been sold. The model home at 428 Third St. NE, priced at $2.45 million, has 3,672 square feet.

The main level includes a front living area with a box bay window, a central dining room with a built-in bar, and a rear kitchen with nine-foot-tall windows and French doors that open onto the terrace. Each of the townhouses has sanded-in-place wide-plank hardwood flooring, 10-foot-high ceilings on the main level, and built-in bookcases and cabinets in the entry foyer, around the fireplace and in the dining room.

The kitchen has white Shaker-style cabinets and quartz counters and a quartz backsplash that resemble marble. It has an induction range, a wall oven, a dishwasher, a wine refrigerator, a French-door refrigerator and a pull-out pantry, as well as a breakfast area and space at the island for a breakfast bar.

Buyers can furnish the breakfast area as a sitting area and switch the functions of the living and dining areas, if they prefer.

Each townhouse has French doors that open onto a deck of Ipe wood with a few steps down to a terrace of bluestone slate. The terraces are each built on a pedestal, so that ice and snow melt and drain. The terraces have raised brick garden beds, electricity and gas hookups.


Amenities for the townhouses include terraces and a private elevator that connects the garage level with all three above-ground levels. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Custom closets: Inside, the second-level master bedroom overlooks the terrace and includes two walk-in closets. Each buyer will receive a $15,000 credit to customize their closets. The master bathroom includes an air-jet tub, an oversize shower and Calacatta marble flooring.

The second level also has a guest bedroom with a double-door closet and a private bathroom with a shower. The third level includes two more bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet and a full bathroom with a combination tub and shower. The front bedrooms on the second and third floor have a box bay window. The upper level also has a laundry and mechanical room.

Amenities for the townhouses include terraces and a private elevator that connects the garage level with all three above-ground levels.

“We like the idea that if someone wants to, they can go directly from their garage to their bedroom level,” Kay said.

What’s nearby: Heritage Row residents can walk to numerous Capitol Hill landmarks, including the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Folger Library and congressional office buildings. Coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and stores are also within walking distance. They include the Monocle, Charlie Palmer Steak, the Big Board, 201 Bar & Lounge, Bar Elen, Bistro Cacao, Cafe Berlin and Romeo & Juliet. Residents can also walk to Union Station for multiple transportation options to other parts of the District.

Schools: Watkins and Peabody Elementary, Stuart-Hobson Middle, Eastern High.

Transit: The development is walking distance to Union Station for Metro Red line service, Marc, VRE and Amtrak service. The area is served by numerous Metrobuses and the DC Circulator. It is less than one mile to the Capitol South Metro station for Blue, Orange and Silver line service.


The building has six private one-car “garage-within-a-garage” units, each with an attached storage and trash closet and a direct entrance into a townhouse. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)
Heritage Row

428 Third St. NE, Washington

The townhouses are priced from $2.4 million to $2.7 million.

Builder: Encore Development

Features: The townhouses have traditional brick exteriors, private terraces and a one-car garage. Inside, each has 10-foot-high ceilings, wide-plank hardwood flooring, solid wood doors, built-in bookshelves and cabinets, modern crown moldings, a two-sided fireplace with a limestone surround and a contemporary wood mantel. They also have an elevator, digital wiring, a jetted tub and separate shower in the master bathroom and upgraded stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen, which has a quartz counter and backsplash that resembles marble.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 3 or 4 / 4 or 5

Square footage: About 3,642 to 3,902

Homeowner association fees: $295 per month

View models: By appointment.

Contact: Chris Masters, executive vice president of McWilliams Ballard at 202-360-2426, or visit heritagerowdc.com .

Peterson Opens Maryland Condos, The Haven

Posted on February 23, 2018 by - Press

Haven at National Harbor in Prince George’s County includes concierge services, a fitness center and yoga studio, and a lounge.

by D.C. Stribling | Feb 22, 2018

Peterson Cos. has opened the Haven at National Harbor, its condo development in National Harbor along the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, Md., just south of Washington, D.C. The Haven is the first condo project built at the mixed-use National Harbor in 10 years, and the developer has already sold 30 of its 248 units before the official opening the sales office.

The development will be completed this summer. Residences range from one- to three-bedroom units, with prices starting in the mid-$200s and reaching the mid-$600s. McWilliams Ballard is handling the sales and marketing of the building. Since Peterson Cos. first announced the project, more than 1,800 people have expressed interest.

“We’re not surprised at the level of interest in the Haven,” said Chris Ballard, principal of McWilliams Ballard. “There are not any places in the region where you can buy a new condominium in the mid-$200,000s.”

THE HAVEN, STOCKED WITH AMENITIES

Each condo comes with underground parking and access to various amenities, including concierge services, a fitness center and yoga studio that opens onto a courtyard, and a lounge and communal gathering spaces. The property’s clubroom has an open kitchen, lounge seating, flat screens and a billiards table, and Wi-Fi is available in all common areas and at a cyber lounge.

The outdoor pool features a patio and private cabanas. The property also sports outdoor lounge seating with firepits, year-round lawn games, an outdoor kitchen, private bike storage, a pet spa and grooming station, and landscaped courtyards.

National Harbor is an extensive development. It currently has more than 40 restaurants; 160 shops, including Tanger Outlets; seven hotels, including the MGM National Harbor casino; and two of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest spas, according to Peterson Cos. senior vice president of residential Stuart Prince. “The Haven’s residents will join the 2,000 current residents to the community that National Harbor has created,” he said.

The Townhomes At Buchanan Park On Capitol Hill Sells Out First Phase

Posted on February 22, 2018 by - Press

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — FCPSM and Insight Property Group (Insight) have sold out the first phase of the 32 homes that make up The Townhomes at Buchanan Park, tapping into strong demand for new and unique homes in one of Washington, DC’s most iconic neighborhoods. The first 11 homes delivered in June of 2017 have been sold. Another 12 homes were released for sale in the fall of 2017 and are now 75% sold. The last 9 homes of the initial phase will be released for sale next month and will be delivered in April 2018 with an average listed price of $1.35 million. The 3 and 4-bedroom townhomes feature all brick exteriors, high ceilings, oversized windows, rooftop terraces, Juliet balconies, Bosch® appliances, designer finishes and an attached garage.

A final phase of nine townhomes called The Founders’ Collection at Buchanan Park, will be released for sale next month and deliver in July 2018. These larger four bedroom, four and a half bath homes will feature ten-foot ceilings, elevator, fireplace, Bertazzoni appliances, sand-in-place white oak floors, a rooftop terrace, laundry room, mudroom, French doors opening onto bluestone patios and backyards, and dedicated parking. Pricing will begin at $1.875 million.

Buchanan Park is a luxurious, distinctive community on Capitol Hill that includes 41 townhomes and 41 recently delivered condominiums in the renovated historic Buchanan School building at the heart of the community. The Buchanan School condominiums are now 75% sold and were built by Ditto Residential.

The master planned community, located at 13th & D Streets SE, sits on the grounds of the former Buchanan School and honors the historic fabric of Capitol Hill by seamlessly blending the old and new. Public green spaces welcome surrounding neighbors and link Buchanan Park to the thriving Hill East community. The Central Green features a generous lawn area for picnics, children’s play, evening strolls and benches perfect for unwinding. Guetler Way pays homage to the original alley, Guethler Court, that existed onsite during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the myriad alley spaces found on Capitol Hill. It entices and delights neighbors with flower boxes, plantings, distinctive lighting and refined brick and cobblestone paving.

Residents of Buchanan Park enjoy one of the most convenient and cherished locations in Washington, DC, just several blocks from the Eastern Market and the Potomac Avenue Metro stations and steps from the retail and restaurants of Barrack’s Row and Capitol Hill. Conveniences are at the doorstep of the community with grocery stores, Frager’s Hardware, the newly renovated Watkins School, and coffee shops all within a short stroll. One mile to the south – walking past Barrack’s Row and the beautiful Marine Barracks grounds or a quick Uber ride – are Nationals Park and the waterfront entertainment areas.

In addition, this quadrant of Capitol Hill neighborhood is seeing significant growth and investment. Several new residential projects are occurring within a block and a half of Buchanan Park, including Insight’s development of the 145-unit boutique Lockwood Apartments, the redevelopment of the Safeway into apartments and a new Safeway grocery store, Ditto/OPaL’s Watkin’s Alley 44-unit condominium project, the Fragers Hardware redevelopment, a condo project on the former Frager’s Garden Center site, and a residential mixed use project with exciting new retail at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Buchanan Park team includes award-winning local firms FCP and Insight (owners and developers), Maurice Walters (architect), Parker Rodriguez (planning and urban design), ADG (interior design) and McWilliams Ballard (sales). Contact the sales team of Craig Souza and David Klimas at McWilliams Ballard at 202-750-5949 or email to dklimas@mcwilliamsballard.com. Visit www.buchananparkdc.com for more information on the community.

About FCP
FCPSM is a privately held real estate investment company that has invested in or financed more than $6 billion in assets since its founding in 1999. FCP invests directly and with operating partners in commercial and residential assets. The firm makes equity and mezzanine investments in income producing and development properties. Based in Chevy Chase, MD, FCP invests both its commingled, discretionary funds and separate accounts targeted at major real estate markets in the United States. For further information on FCP, please visit www.fcpdc.com.

About Insight Property Group
Founded by longtime multifamily industry veterans Richard Hausler and Michael Blum, Insight Property Group acquires, repositions, and develops well-located apartments and mixed-use real estate in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. The principals have over 70 years of experience in the area real estate industry. For more information, visit: www.insightpropertygroupllc.com.

About Ditto Residential
Based in Washington, DC, Ditto Residential is a leading real estate development firm focused on high quality, design-driven development. Started in 2008, the company’s current pipeline includes 334,000 square feet and 250 units of new development in some of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. More information can be found by visiting the company’s website: www.dittodc.com

The Haven, National Harbor’s First New Condos In A Decade by WTOP

Posted on February 8, 2018 by - Press

By Jeff Clabaugh | @wtopclabaugh February 8, 2018 10:49 am

WASHINGTON — The Peterson Companies is now marketing homes at The Haven at National Harbor, the first new condominiums built at National Harbor since it opened in 2008.

With 248 condos, it is also the largest new condominium project currently marketing in the D.C. area.

 It joins three other condo buildings at National Harbor, One National Harbor, Fleet Street and Waterfront Street, which all opened when National Harbor was completed a decade ago.
 Combined with apartment communities, there are currently about 2,000 residents living at National Harbor. Condos at The Haven range from one to three-bedrooms with prices ranging from the mid-$200s to mid-$600s. Peterson Companies said it had already sold 30 of the condo units before officially opening its sales office this past weekend. The Haven is on National Harbor’s waterfront and many of the condos have water views and large balconies. Peterson said the units are 10 to 15 percent larger than typical condos in the D.C. area.

Building amenities include concierge services, a fitness center and yoga studio, club room, lounge, courtyard and other communal spaces. There’s also an outdoor pool and patio that includes private cabanas. Other outdoor amenities include a firepit lounge, game lawn, and a pet spa and grooming area.Since opening a decade ago, National Harbor has grown to more than 40 restaurants, 160 retailers, including Tanger Outlets, and seven hotels. The MGM National Harbor casino opened nearby just over a year ago.

Kipling House Highlighted By The Washington Post

Posted on January 31, 2018 by - Press

By Michele Lerner January 31

At the Kipling House, a 49-unit building in Southeast Washington, the condos are priced from $384,900 to $949,900. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

After living together for several years in an apartment in the District’s NoMa neighborhood and more than a decade in the Washington area, Cedric Goddevrind and Mariel Maier knew exactly where they hoped to buy their first home: Barracks Row on Capitol Hill.

“We both work downtown near Metro Center, but we love the Barracks Row neighborhood,” Maier says. “We like the rowhouses on the residential streets, the restaurants and the fact that you can walk to Nationals Park for baseball games.”

The couple had looked informally online and checked out resale and newly built condos before they heard about Kipling House, a 49-unit, four-story condo built by Madison Investments at 900 11th St. SE.

“We didn’t necessarily have to buy a new place, but we also wanted to avoid renovations since this is our first time buying a home,” Goddevrind says.

The couple purchased a one-bedroom unit with a den, a full bathroom and a powder room. Kipling House, built on the site of the former Capitol Hill Auto Service, was designed by PGN Architects, with interior design by Akseizer Design Group. The units are designed with two color palettes, one with a darker floor and darker cabinets, the other with lighter flooring and cabinets.

We wanted a mix of one- and two-bedroom units with generous sizes and a broad price range so they could work for first-time buyers and for downsizing couples,” says Barry Madani, co-founder of Madison Investments.

River views: The units have more closets than many new condos and were built with triple-pane windows for energy efficiency and noise reduction. The condo is very close to the Southeast Freeway, which is convenient for drivers but can be noisy when the windows are open.

“This is the first big project to go into that neighborhood and we saw it as a great opportunity,” Madani says. “You’re only two blocks from all the restaurants on Barracks Row but it’s a little away from it, in its own pocket.”

In addition to the location, the prime amenity at Kipling House is a large roof deck with views of the Anacostia River, the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress and the Capitol building.

“The roof deck can hold more than 150 people, so we designed it with several areas,” says Jake Greenhouse, development manager of Madison Investments. “The grilling area has dining tables and then we’ll have a wet bar, an area with lounge chairs and other sections with couches and chairs. There are little nooks up here, too, where we’ll put in a smaller table and chairs.”

The roof also has a marble bathroom.

Another deck off the second floor will have a fire pit, a grill and seating areas. A few of the units on that level have private patios with cedar fencing.

“We deliberately chose cedar fences instead of metal railings to separate the patios so that each residence with a patio has more privacy,” Greenhouse says.


The kitchen has quartz countertops, two-toned wood kitchen cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and gas stovetops. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Living there: Although only some units have private balconies and patios, each has an open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Unit 111, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with 1,318 square feet, is priced at $769,900, with a monthly condo fee of $483. The bedrooms, each with an attached full bathroom and a walk-in closet, are on either side of the open living and dining area and kitchen. This corner unit includes a private terrace.

Unit 104, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence with 781 square feet, is priced at $484,900, with a condo fee of $287. This corner unit has two closets in the foyer and two walls of glass that wrap around the open living and dining area and the bedroom. The bedroom includes a walk-in closet, a closet with a stacked washer and dryer, and a large bathroom.

“All the fourth-floor units have balconies,” Greenhouse says. “The units on the levels below them have a little extra interior space.”

Unit 403, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with 1,298 square feet, is priced at $949,900, with a condo fee of $483. This condo has a balcony with views of the Washington Monument that wraps around the living and dining area, as well as a second balcony off the master bedroom. The second bedroom has two closets plus a linen closet in the bathroom, which also is accessible from the hall.

Unit 404, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence with 631 square feet and a balcony, is priced at $479,900, with a condo fee of $231. This top-floor unit has views of the Washington Monument from the balcony. The bedroom has two closets and the bathroom has a double-sink vanity.

More than half of the units at Kipling House have been sold.


The floor-to-ceiling triple-pane windows are shown in the master bedroom of Unit 204 of the Kipling House. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Building amenities: Kipling House includes an elevator to each floor and to the roof deck.

A high-tech system in the lobby has bins of varying sizes and security codes generated individually so that residents can retrieve their packages at their convenience.

Garage parking is available, with 22 spaces priced at $35,000 each. The garage also includes bike storage. Five surface parking spaces also are available, priced at $27,500.

What’s nearby: Kipling House residents can walk to Eastern Market’s shops and restaurants, Yards Park, restaurants at the Navy Yard and on Barracks Row. Some of the city’s most popular restaurants can be found in the area, including Rose’s Luxury, Pineapple and Pearls, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Acqua Al 2 and Montmartre. District Donuts, Pererine Espresso and the Pretzel Bakery are also nearby, along with grocery stores and drugstores.

“We love being able to walk to different neighborhoods,” Goddevrind says. “Eventually the 11th Street Bridge project will add even more to the neighborhood.”

Schools: Tyler Elementary, Jefferson Middle School Academy and Eastern High.

Transit: Eastern Market, Potomac Avenue and Stadium Armory Metro stations are all within one mile of Kipling House. The area is also served by several bus routes.


The prime amenity at Kipling House is a large roof deck with views of the Anacostia River, the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress and the Capitol building. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)
Kipling House

900 11th St. SE, Washington

The condos are priced from $384,900 to $949,900.

Builder: Madison Investments

Features: Each unit has an open floor plan with wood flooring, quartz countertops, two-toned wood kitchen cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, gas stove, stone countertops in the bathrooms, a coat closet, a stacked washer and dryer, and floor-to-ceiling triple-pane windows. Many of the units have a private balcony or deck.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: one or two / one or two

Square footage: About 550 to 1,368

Condominium association fees: $189 to $499 per month, including gas and water

View models: Open by appointment

Contact: Call Craig Souza at 202-368-7229 or David Klimas at 202-431-1272, both with McWilliams Ballard, or visit www.thekiplinghouse.com.

Washington Post Discovers The Haven

Posted on December 12, 2017 by - Press

By Audrey Hoffer December 12, 2017


The Haven at National Harbor has 248 condominiums ranging from $245,000 to $650,000. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

An outdoor pool, a lounge with a gas fireplace and a dog-washing station are among the amenities offered to prospective buyers at the Haven, a 248-unit condominium building going up at National Harbor.

But one perk for residents who drive to work is the community’s own exit off the highway. National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., home to the recently opened MGM National Harbor, is off Exit 2A on Interstate 495 and Exit 1B on Maryland Route 295, less than 10 miles from downtown Washington. “No other development, up or down the East Coast, has its own exit,” said Jon Peterson, principal of Peterson Cos. and developer of National Harbor and the Haven.

National Harbor is a 550-acre development that has been in the making for 10 years. “At the beginning,” Peterson said, “our mind-set was, we hope, we think this will work. We’re putting all the right pieces in place, but how will the world receive us?”

That original vision was a success. “People are coming by the thousands for fun, entertainment, [the] beauty of the site, and to live,” he said.

Recreation to residential: Initially, National Harbor was intended as a commercial enterprise. “Then we added residential, and people realized, ‘Oh, people live there, too!’ ” Peterson said. “The residential buildings totally transformed perceptions from a recreation destination to a real live community.”

Four Points Breaks Ground On 114-Unit Chapman Stables Condo Project

Posted on November 23, 2017 by - Press

November 23, 2016 Jon Banister, Bisnow Washington, D.C.

Meet the major D.C. players at one of our upcoming events! Courtesy: Four Points LLC

A Truxton Circle building that housed horses in the early 1900s will soon be home to hundreds of condo-dwellers.

Four Points LLC broke ground yesterday on Chapman Stables with plans to redevelop the historic building and construct a new five-story building next door.

The building, which was built as a horse stable in 1906 and later used as an automobile repair shop, is at 57 N St NW, just three blocks from the NoMa Metro station. The original plan had called for rental apartments, but the developer now says it is building condos.

The project in total will include 114 condo units and 1,200 SF of retail. The developer will restore elements of the historic horse stable building, rendered above, which will contain 36 condos. It will also add a one-story loft atop the existing building, set back 15 feet from the façade. The remaining 78 units will be in the new, L-shaped, five-story building, which will sit 40 feet from the horse stable building. The Historic Preservation Review Board approved the project in May 2015.

The Cordish Companies The condos will range from 540 SF to 1,100 SF, Four Points project director John Sunter tells Bisnow, and will be priced from $300k to more than $1M. Four Points has brought on McWilliams Ballard to handle condo sales, which will begin in the spring.

The building is expected to deliver in spring 2018. The project was financed with a $33.5M construction loan from Washington First Bank.

Also in Truxton Circle, co-living provider Common is renovating an Oaktree Development-owned building on Richardson Place NW into a 24-unit Millennial-geared multifamily building.

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