Tag: For Sale

Kingman Hill Condominiums Sold Out in Just Days Announces McWilliams|Ballard and 10Square Development.

Washington, D.C. – September 12, 2023

 

The demand for new construction in the historic Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, DC led to a quick sellout at Kingman Hill condominiums in just two weeks. The remarkably fast sales pace led to price increases and competitive bids, something not usually seen in the new home sales market.

 

Kingman Hill, once a glorious brownstone, has now been reimaged into a boutique community of four high-styled residences offering spacious two-bedroom plus den layouts with unrivaled designer finishes, maintaining classic details and breathing new life into these homes. From the 10-14 foot ceilings, custom all-wood cabinetry, marble baths, and well-appointed living spaces to the oversized windows and outdoor relaxation spaces, the homeowners of Kingman Hill are enjoying the height of luxury on a quiet, tree-lined street with quick access to the best of Washington, DC out their front door.

 

Developed by 10Square Development, a development and construction firm specializing in custom condominium and apartment projects in the Washington Metro area.

 

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the sales and marketing of new condominiums, apartments, townhomes, and mixed-use communities. During its 27-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.

 

###

Washington Post: Boutique condos built in historical Pennsylvania Avenue building

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.”

McWilliams|Ballard and 10Square Residential Announce the Launch of Sales at The Dixon in Adams Morgan

Washington, D.C. – April 10, 2023

After the remarkable success of their last partnership, The Royce in Dupont Circle, McWilliams Ballard is proud to again partner with 10Square Development to announce the sales launch of The Dixon, a boutique community of eight condominiums nestled between the Adams Morgan and Meridian Hill Park neighborhoods of Northwest Washington.

 

The Dixon features sleek modern design along a quiet, tree-lined street with a mix of one- and two-bedroom penthouse layouts. Each home offers designer finishes including European white oak wood flooring, two-tone kitchen cabinetry with polished natural slab counters, gas cooking, and panelized appliances. The luxury baths amaze large terrazzo wall tile, floating vanities, Emerstone Staturio honed quartz counters, and matte black fixtures. Most of the residences feature private outdoor spaces and both bi-level penthouse homes come with oversized roof decks.

 

The Dixon is being developed by 10Square Development, a development and construction firm specializing in custom condominium and apartment projects in the Washington Metro area.

 

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a real estate sales and marketing firm specializing in the sales and marketing of new condominiums, apartments, townhomes, and mixed-use communities. During its 27-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.

###

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

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.

McWilliams|Ballard and Atlantic Realty Companies Announce the Launch of Sales at The Overlook at Montgomery Center in Gaithersburg

Washington, D.C. –Thursday, August 25, 2022

McWilliams Ballard is proud to partner with Atlantic Realty Companies in announcing the sales launch of The Overlook at Montgomery Village.  A new condominium community of 32 residences, The Overlook represents one of the best values in Montgomery County with homes starting in the mid $200s meanwhile providing walkability to shopping, dining, onsite services, and award-winning Montgomery County schools.

The homes feature one-, two- and three-bedroom home layouts with premium finishes, including 8’ – 9’ ceiling heights, 6” luxury plank flooring, chef’s kitchens, granite counters with tile backsplashes, white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and spa baths. Many homes are available for immediate move-in and include parking.

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 26-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.

###

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

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

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

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

The Washington Post features The Archie

40-Condo D.C. Building Makes A Statement

By Connie Dunfer, Tuesday, August 17th

The Archie, a new condominium building in Northwest Washington’s Petworth neighborhood, combines modern construction, affordable pricing and access to urban amenities.

The 40 units — at 4111 Kansas Ave. NW, near Taylor Street and Georgia Avenue — are tailored for first-time home buyers, said Robbie Cook, vice president of McWilliams Ballard, the sales and marketing firm for the project. Lock7 is the developer.

“They are beautifully efficient and really reasonably priced,” he said. “You do get this wonderful balance in a building of this size, with the comfort of property management and the benefits of big condo living. But it’s not so big that you don’t know your neighbors.”

Since the project opened for hard-hat tours this summer, about 15 percent of the units have been sold, including one of three penthouse residences. Move-ins are expected to begin in the fall. “Three homes sold in the first week of sales because we believe, there’s pent-up demand” for housing in D.C. for first-time home buyers, Cook said.

To satisfy D.C.’s inclusionary zoning rules, three of the 40 units have been set aside as affordable housing, and they are available by application. The Archie has one high-speed elevator and a community roof deck, open to residents of all units, with greenery and views of Washington National Cathedral and the Petworth treetops. The penthouses also have private roof decks. There are five parking spaces. Three are available for purchase; two are for the use of residents with Zipcar memberships.

The five-story building has a mix of studio and one- and to two-bedroom units, many with outdoor terraces. Seven semi-basement units have big windows that bring in natural light. Cook noted that the building’s “ground-up construction” sets it apart from neighborhood condo projects that are conversions of existing buildings.

The exterior has corrugated metal siding and oversize black-metal-trimmed windows that “are meant to feel industrial,” Cook said. “The stark contrast between the industrial building and the lush green roof deck and streetside plantings is intentional and helps The Archie stand out on the block,” he said.

Inside, the condos have open floor plans, recessed lighting, wide-plank European flooring, polished chrome hardware and a stacked washer and dryer. “The interiors of the building are anything but cold and industrial feeling,” Cook said.

Cook is bullish on the Petworth neighborhood. “I see Petworth as an opportunity for safe investment,” he said. “It’s close in, accessible and has a lot going on. I only see it moving forward. … I like that for The Archie. You’re close to everything, but not on top of it. There’s a neighborhood feel.”

Nearby: The Archie is in a walkable urban area with many restaurants. Two supermarkets are less than a half-mile away. It is a half-mile from Upshur Park (with outdoor pool, dog park, soccer field and other facilities) and a four-minute walk from Petworth Recreation Center. The Petworth neighborhood library is across the street. Howard University is about a mile away.

Schools: Powell Elementary, MacFarland Middle, Roosevelt High

Transit: The Petworth Metro Station, on the Green and Yellow lines, is less than a half-mile from The Archie. Metrobus routes run along Georgia, Kansas and New Hampshire avenues.

The Archie

4111 Kansas Ave. NW, Washington

Market-unit prices range from $332,900 for a studio to $699,999 for a two-bedroom penthouse. The affordable units are about $210,000.

Builder: Lock7

Features: Kitchens have GE Profile stainless-steel appliances, with a French-door refrigerator in some units; a matte white finish on upper cabinets, soprano ash wood on lower cabinets; and a Kohler matte black pull-down spray faucet. Standard bathroom features include a soprano ash-finished vanity, a Delta Trinsic polished-chrome faucet, a Folsom white soaking tub with shower, white subway tile on the walls and light gray 12- by 24-inch tile on the floor.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: studio to 2 /1 or 2

Square-footage: 486 to 922

Homeowner association fees: $210 to $403 a month.

Contact: McWilliams Ballard sales team, 202-337-7222

City Homes & Area DC Developers Double Down on the Power of Art

By Keith Loria | July 9th, 2021

It isn’t enough for developers to just make pretty buildings anymore; to be truly engaged and seen as community builders, many developers say they find it wise to invest in public art projects that are in line with the communities that surround their projects.

That’s why many developers in the Washington region are now incorporating paintings, sculptures and other art installations in their projects.

Here is a look at some recent projects in the region utilizing art.

City Homes

Grosvenor Americas has always had a deep commitment to patronizing local artists and, over the last decade, has contributed more than $500,000 to local artists in D.C. through its development projects.

“We’re seeing a lot more interest in art right now in the multifamily space, as well as in commercial and office,” Ryan Stewart, Grosvenor Americas’ senior development manager, told Commercial Observer. “People are gravitating toward things that feel authentic, and these pieces really feel that way — they stand out and provide something pure and true that someone put their blood, sweat and tears into.”

It’s newest development, City Homes, a townhome community in D.C.’s historic Eckington neighborhood, includes a creative art walk experience within the unit corridors featuring three seven-piece original collections by local artists Caitlin Teal Price, Julie Wolfe and Steven Cushner.

“This area has a deep artistic history, and we have partnered closely with local artisans to curate art for the space,” Stewart said. “We decided to make a large investment in order to feature art in the corridors, because we really wanted to recognize the artisan members of our community and applaud their contributions to Eckington and D.C. as a whole.”

Another art piece in the region that Grosvenor Americas is proud of is Crossroads, a 30-foot-tall, stainless-steel sculpture at Central, an apartment community in Silver Spring, Md.

It’s a beautiful reminder of consequential decision-making. Importantly, this piece is a part of the public realm and is meant for all community members to enjoy,” Stewart said. “For us, our investment in public art boils down to creating a healthy environment. We know that experiencing true artwork is good for mental health — it challenges our thoughts and makes us look at things differently. It also brings us moments of joy in the day we otherwise wouldn’t have. We really see these art pieces as extensions of our goal to create strong, vibrant, lasting communities.”

Bryant Street

Byran Street is a new development in D.C.’s Edgewood neighborhood, offering apartments, retail and public spaces. Developer MRP Realty has taken specific care to understand the community it is entering and has invested more than $75,000 in local artists’ work, honoring the community’s history, both inside the building and outside in public art spaces.

“From a residential perspective, we know there is only so much we can do within the units themselves, so we are always looking for what else we can do,” Matt Bailey, development manager of MRP Realty, told CO. “In the past couple years, it seemed like we were in an amenity race to build the biggest gym, pool or lobby, but now we are seeing the prioritization of public art space as the ultimate community amenity.

“Amongst developers here, we are seeing an arts race of sorts,” he added. “Developers are pushing each other to incorporate dynamic art concepts from local and unique artists into their developments.”

The first residential building in Bryant Street, Coda, has more than 2,300 square feet of local art in five murals, and, overall, artists have created more than 5,000 square feet of art throughout Bryant Street.

“Much of the inspiration for the designs came from the existing community murals on the site. We wanted to be sure any public art was a true value-add and an authentic reflection of the community,” Bailey said. “For Bryant Street, community-curated art has been a great avenue to connect with the community. In fact, there were some existing murals commissioned years ago that we wanted to add to when we entered the space. We commissioned local artists to create complementary murals that connect the neighborhood to its history and future.”

Inside the buildings, MRP Reality has also incorporated the work of local artists that feature subjects that speak to the narrative of the neighborhood.

“We’ve found that public art generates a lot more interest in a development and helps add to the personality of those projects within their neighborhoods,” Bailey said. “It helps elevate and complement our architectural designs, both on the interiors as well as exterior, and we’ve found that residents really appreciate and value consciously created art installations in the place they call home.”

The Station at Riverdale Park

Calvin Cafritz Enterprises continues to develop The Station at Riverdale Park, a 36-acre development in Prince George’s County that, when completed, will feature 119 townhouses, 850 multifamily units, 160,000 square feet of retail and 20,000 square feet of office. The active mixed-use community also includes art from all over the world, which is featured throughout the property for the public to enjoy.

“As the DMV area continues to reopen, residents and visitors will continue to look for beautiful, relaxing spaces to spend time outdoors with friends and family, and many of those spaces will revolve around art,” Jane Cafritz told CO. “Art can be intimidating for many of us, making the artistic process feel out of reach. By putting curated works out in the open, it creates new energy, and inspires creativity and an appreciation for the arts within a community.”

The area includes a wing mural by renowned artist Kelsey Montague, known for her Taylor Swift-inspired mural in Nashville; and “The Soul of Words I and II” sculptures by Spanish sculptor and artist, Jaume Plensa.

“Art, like the pieces featured at The Station, can help add character and beauty to the spaces they inhabit,” Cafritz said. “Some, like our Riverdale Engineering Research Corporation plane from 1946, can be a beautiful nod to the neighborhood’s history. And others, like ‘Sir Rulean’ by Kim In Tae, can be a symbol for gathering at Bear Square — The Station’s central meeting point, with family and food-oriented programming, that brings the community together throughout the year.”

The Redevelopment of Downtown Columbia, including the Merriweather District Neighborhood

In 2010, The Howard County Council in Maryland adopted the Downtown Columbia Plan to guide the redevelopment of the center core of the city, calling for works of art to be incorporated into new amenity spaces and private developments, and suggesting that “the walls of buildings and parking garages could become the surfaces” for works of art.

“People today — everyone from CEOs to young adults joining the workforce and young families — are looking for an urban core within a community offering an active, outdoor lifestyle,” Greg Fitchitt, president of the Columbia region for The Howard Hughes Corporation, which is developing the area, told CO. “Public art, and the arts in general, have always been central to the vision and appeal of Downtown Columbia, notable for its natural, open setting and progressive institutions.”

Merriweather District is the first ground-up development in the Downtown Columbia Plan, and is envisioned as a regional hub for culture and commerce. Once completed, Merriweather District will include 4.9 million square feet of mixed-use development, including public spaces, residential, office, and varied street retail.

“One of our team’s early investments was “Azlon”, one of the largest kinetic sculptures in the state of Maryland, by internationally renowned artist Anthony Howe,” said Vanessa Rodriguez, vice president of marketing for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “Azlon presents a slow-motion dance of steel and light at such a large scale that it can mesmerize viewers for long, extended moments. When the wind is calm, the sculpture’s 22 finely balanced, curving wings remain perfectly still, but a breeze sets them into a majestic, spiraling vortex.”

HHC also commissioned Vicki Scuri Siteworks to create “Rainbow Sunset”, a dramatic graphic installation on the north and west sites of the parking garage for One Merriweather, the first building developed in the Meriweather District. Inspired by what Scuri has described as “the warm hues of Maryland’s sunsets”, the work interacts with sunlight, creating changing shades of color.

“As an arts activist, I have enjoyed seeing how this region continues to embrace the powerful role that the arts can play in shaping communities,” Rodriguez said. “Especially now, as we emerge from the pandemic, people are reconsidering just how important art can be in activating the public realm and ensuring the success of development by creating vibrant public experiences.”

Skip to content