Category: Uncategorized

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

Posted on October 19, 2021 by - Press, Uncategorized

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

McWilliams|Ballard Publishes Fourth Issue of Live Well Magazine

Posted on October 14, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Washington, D.C. – October 14th, 2020

McWilliams|Ballard, the leading firm for new development sales and marketing, is proud to announce the release of its fourth issue of Live Well. From luxury condominiums and designer townhomes to custom single-family homes, Live Well highlights over 75 new communities and serves as a guide to the best real estate throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.

“We started this luxury guide four years ago to help consumers find their next home and be an aid to the broker community by providing one central catalog of our portfolio that is approachable, accessible, and elevated.”  says Derek Friday, Director of Marketing.

With distribution to over 30,000 top brokers, clients, prospective buyers, and as highlighted in the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, Live Well has successfully sourced over 100 new sales since its first publication and stands as a top publication for lead generation in its class.  For more information on our portfolio or to receive your personal copy, visit https://mcwb.com/live-well-guide.

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the sales and marketing of new condominiums, townhomes and mixed-use communities. During its 24-year history, McWilliams|Ballard has worked in 13 states nationwide, creating partnerships with developers and builders to provide sales and marketing solutions from project inception to the final closed sale. In addition, the firm also provides consultation and market research used by some of the most renowned developers and investment groups in the country.

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Beecher Hill Condos Make A Statement Without Shouting Says Washington Post

Posted on September 15, 2020 by - Uncategorized

By Audrey Hoffer
September 15, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EDT

Beecher Hill is a new four-story, nine-unit condominium on Ontario Road NW in the District’s Adams Morgan neighborhood.

The building’s facade stands out, and yet Beecher Hill — with its reclaimed red brick and its decorative brick arches over the front door and black-framed windows — manages to blend in with the streetscape.

“We made an effort to make it feel part of the neighborhood and tried to maintain some of the street character on the block,” architect Jonathan Kuhn said.

To the left of the brick is a rectangular box bay clad in weathering steel that will gradually acquire a rust-colored patina. The bay stretches from ground level to the roof. “It adds space and volume to the interior, and on the outside, it provides a contrasting material,” Kuhn said.

The building, at 2246 Ontario Rd. NW, is made up of two towers, front and back, connected by a common interior staircase. “As a result, you get an interior courtyard,” he said. The slate-paved courtyard, on the lower level, is shared by two units. It will have climbing ivies, and a “green roof” covers part of it.

In another green touch, grasses and flowers in planters are planned for the building’s roof.

Units in the front tower face Ontario Road on one side and the courtyard on the other. Units in the back tower face the courtyard on one side and an alley behind the building on the other. “So all the homes receive natural light from two directions,” Kuhn said.

Arran Cooper and Eris Hanson live nearby and watched the building take shape. “We were one of the first to tour,” Hanson said, and they “fell in love” with one of the two courtyard-level units, which has a private patio as well as a share of the courtyard.

“The outdoor space really piqued our interest,” Cooper said. “You don’t see that kind of space often in an urban neighborhood, especially in new construction. We decided to jump on it.” Cooper and Hanson hope to move in next month.

Beecher Hill has three units with one bedroom, four with two, and two penthouses with three bedrooms and two levels. The model unit has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The entry door opens to the living room, which faces Ontario Street. The kitchen, on one side of the entry, has a U-shaped counter with a sink and seating on one end. The abundant cabinet space includes a shelved pantry cabinet.

The developer went the extra mile to make sure the features are first-class,” said Robbie Cook, a vice president with McWilliams Ballard, which is handling sales.

A liquid-soap dispenser in the kitchen is in keeping with pandemic-related concerns about cleanliness. The microwave is hidden behind a door. “Little finishing touches throughout will make your life easier,” Cook said. The owner’s bedroom, in a back corner of the unit, has a walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom with a double vanity, a shower and a stand-alone tub. The other bedroom, off the living room, has box bay windows overlooking the street, a sliding-door closet and direct access to a bathroom that also has a door from the living room.

Nearby: The Adams Morgan neighborhood is a destination akin to the Village in New York. Small shops sell books, jewelry and antiques. Many of its restaurants have set up street dining during the pandemic.

Options for grocery shopping include Yes! Organic, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter and Hana Market, a store offering traditional Japanese staples.

The urban neighborhood is highly walkable. Meridian Hill Park is an urban oasis with expansive lawns, park benches, towering shade trees and decorative stonework in walls and steps.

The neighborhood elementary school, Marie Reed, is closed because of the pandemic, but the playground equipment in the schoolyard is open to the street and ready to be climbed by children.

Schools: Marie Reed Elementary, Columbia Heights Education Campus (middle), Cardozo Education Campus (high).

Transit: The building is between two Metro stations: Columbia Heights on the Green and Yellow lines and Dupont Circle on the Red line. Nearby traffic corridors include 16th Street, Florida Avenue and Columbia Road.

Beecher Hill

2246 Ontario Rd. NW

There are nine condominium residences. Four are sold. The remaining five are priced from $435,000 to $1,325,000.

Builder: P.T. Blooms Development

Features: The interior color palette is a combination of whites, grays, blacks and various wood tones. Ceiling height is nine feet on the lower level and 11 feet on the floors above. Eight-inch oak flooring runs throughout the units. Doors are solid-core. Recessed lighting is LED. The full-size stacked washer and dryer are by Whirlpool. Kitchen appliances are by Bosch, and kitchens have a gas stove that vents outside, a 32-inch Vigo stainless-steel sink and a double-trash-bin pullout. Entry is by way of a secure key fob and a remote call box. Penthouse units are allotted one parking space. One additional space is for sale at $40,000, first-come, first-served. Secure bike storage is provided in back of the building.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 3 / 1 to 3

Square-footage: 608 to 1,433

Condo association fee: $198 to $366

See model: By appointment.

Contact: 703-945-6983 or beecherhilldc.com

McWilliams|Ballard Announces Sales at 4R In Bloomingdale

Posted on September 14, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Washington, D.C. – September 14th, 2020

McWilliams Ballard is proud to announce the sales at 4R, a new condominium development along North Capitol Street in Northwest Washington, has launched with homes sold quickly.

4R is conveniently located in the vibrant Bloomingdale neighborhood and provides easy access to Capitol Hill, Downtown DC, restaurants, coffee houses, farmers markets and more.  With sleek and bright interiors, each residence at 4R epitomizes the best of craftsman style and contemporary urban living full of texture, color and high design throughout every 2-bedroom layout with up to 1,275 square feet of living space.

Developed by Cradle Development Group, a boutique real estate firm pioneering in quality development and value across the Washington Metro Area and constructed by JMM Builders, a Class A General contracting company.

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the sales and marketing of new condominiums, townhomes and mixed-use communities. During its 24-year history, McWilliams|Ballard has worked in 13 states nationwide, creating partnerships with developers and builders to provide sales and marketing solutions from project inception to the final closed sale. In addition, the firm also provides consultation and market research used by some of the most renowned developers and investment groups in the country.

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McWilliams|Ballard Announces the Start of Sales at The Flats of Ivy City

Posted on March 5, 2018 by - Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McWilliams|Ballard Announces the Start of Sales at The Flats of Ivy City

 

Washington, D.C. – March 5th, 2018

On Sunday, March 4th, McWilliams Ballard, in partnership with Kadida Development Group (KDG), commenced sales at The Flats of Ivy City, a ground-up condominium community located in the burgeoning neighborhood of Ivy City in Northeast Washington, D.C.

A boutique collection of 10 modern two-level condominium homes located in the heart of Ivy City, The Flats of Ivy City places you within moments of the famed Hecht’s Warehouse and a host of retailers such as Mom’s Organic Market, Nike, BicycleSPACE and many of the city’s best restaurants including Ivy City Smokehouse and Big Chief. Most recently, Target announced the opening their new 67,000 square foot location in Ivy City.

Featuring state of the art building materials, including teak wood and metal panels combined with innovative interior design features and two-level open concept floor plans, Ivy City provides a contemporary style with a unique attention to detail unparalleled to homes in the area. Secure parking and rooftop terraces with sweeping views of the city are also available with select homes. Just moments from Downtown DC, homes start in the low $500s.

“McWilliams|Ballard is extremely pleased to be working on another multifamily development project with Kadida Development Group,” says Chris Ballard, Principal at McWilliams|Ballard, “KDG and McWilliams|Ballard have a long track record of place making through innovative development and delivering a product that exceeds the expectations of our purchasers. We look forward to doing it again at The Flats of Ivy City.”

Kadida Development Group (KDG) has positioned themselves within the real estate development market in the Washington, D.C area as only a local business can. KDG prides itself in excelling in every area of the development process, while maintaining integrity and providing first class service to all clients. KDG has expertise with many types of properties, from residential and commercial developments, to single family projects. KDG’s mission is to develop and maintain lasting relationships with not only their clients, but investors and real estate partners alike.

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the sales and marketing of new condominiums, townhomes and mixed-use communities. During its 22 year history, McWilliams|Ballard has worked in 13 states nationwide, creating partnerships with developers and builders to provide sales and marketing solutions from project inception to the final closed sale. In addition, the firm also provides consultation and market research used by some of the most renowned developers and investment groups in the country.

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A Condo Development In Maryland With Its Own Highway Exit

Posted on December 12, 2017 by - Uncategorized


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.”

The Haven was initially designed as an apartment project, but then Peterson studied demographic and sales data. He determined people were interested in living there permanently — that apartments were over-built and condominiums under-built. So he stepped in.

There are 20 junior one-bedroom condos, 117 one-bedrooms, 85 two-bedrooms, three two-bedrooms plus den, and 23 three-bedrooms. Several street-facing condominiums have their own entry door and look like townhouses. A few will have a terrace big enough for outdoor furniture, and a few will have a small balcony. A one-bedroom furnished model is available for viewing at the nearby sales office. Delivery is scheduled to start mid-summer.

Interiors will be bright, with natural light coming through big windows, and contemporary in design. Multiple floor plans will be offered. A two-floor above-ground parking podium will provide condos with one space and some of the larger ones with two spaces.

What’s nearby: National Harbor is a full-fledged neighborhood with more than 2,000 residents and 13,000 employees. “We are our own community, a micro-city and the crown jewel of Prince George’s County. We’ve built a place with everything one needs — dry cleaner, bank, drugstore and coffee shops. It sounds like a cliche, but you can really live, work and play there,” Peterson said.

There are more than 160 stores and 40 dining establishments. Potomac Gourmet Market, downtown and Aldi’s in Oxon Hill sell groceries. Tanger Outlets houses retail fashion.

Holiday events are scheduled hourly from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23.


The kitchen has quartz counters, polished chrome hardware and two-tone cabinets featuring gray oak on the lower cabinets and high-gloss white on the upper ones. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)

Artwork: The Capital Wheel — a huge white Ferris wheel — is the standout landmark on the water’s edge. A carousel, steps away, is also popular.

Public art is a whimsical backdrop to street life. Milt Peterson, Peterson’s father, promoted an ambitious public art program by curating art from several artists.

J. Seward Johnson and Ivan Schwartz made painted bronze sculptures of famous people, including Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Marilyn Monroe. Albert Paley designed two monumental steel structures, one abstract and the other a pair of eagles. Prince George’s artists also contributed: Steven Weitzman designed a large terrazzo tile mural; Norman Greene made a cast stone sculpture of five individuals; and Cheryl Foster designed two pairs of panels, one of stained-glass mosaic and another of copper, brass, aluminum and stained glass.

“Art isn’t cheap but it’s everlasting and brings joy to all,” Jon Peterson said. “You know it’s been received well when you see Lincoln’s hand is discolored because so many people have touched it.”

Schools: Fort Foote Elementary, Oxon Hill Middle, Oxon Hill High.

Transit: The Haven locale is walkable on wide sidewalks, and there’s room for bikes and cars to ride side-by-side. A bike-sharing service will begin in the spring.

The Beltway/Interstate 495 entrance is barely a minute’s drive. It takes 12 minutes to get downtown, 15 minutes to Ronald Reagan National Airport, and roughly 20 minutes to practically any other location in the region, Peterson said.

Water taxi service operates between National Harbor, Gaylord National Convention Center and Old Town Alexandria and the Mall. Starting in the spring, a service will operate between National Harbor and the Wharf. The cost is $8 to $20.


Interiors will be bright, with natural light coming through big windows, and contemporary in design. (Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post)
The Haven

165 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md. (sales office and furnished model)

There will be 248 condominiums ranging from $250,000 to $650,000.

Builder: Peterson Cos.

Features: Hardwood-inspired resilient flooring runs through each unit. Frigidaire appliances are installed in the kitchen, along with two-tone cabinets featuring gray oak on the lower cabinets and high-gloss white on the upper ones. Quartz counters with polished chrome hardware are in the kitchen and bathrooms. Amenities include private cabanas in the pool area, a billiards table in the lounge, a cyber lounge for quiet work, an outdoor kitchen with a seating area and fire pits, a yoga studio and a fitness center.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 3 / 1 to 3

Square footage: 555 to 1,550

Condominium association fees: $279 to $699 per month.

View model: From noon to 5 p.m. daily.

Contact: Chris Masters at 703-299-4226 or havennationalharbor.com .

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