Tag: Washington Post

Washington Business Journal talks with McWilliams|Ballard about luxury kitchens

Posted on February 20, 2023 by - Press

Meet the most expensive luxury kitchens of Greater Washington

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The experts:

 

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

The Look

 

What’s out: All-white, colorless kitchens

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

— Sherri Anne Greene, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty

 

Go, Go Gadgets

What’s out: Just one dishwasher

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

Fancy ice is so hot right now.

 

Peak Decadence

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

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

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

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

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

Urban Turf takes a look inside The Claire

Posted on February 16, 2023 by - Press

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

Urban Turf | Washington, DC | February 16, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

McWilliams|Ballard to Lead the Lease-Up of Vivre, a New Luxury Apartment Community in Sought-After Logan Circle

Posted on February 6, 2023 by - Announcements

Washington, D.C. – February 7, 2023

 

 

McWilliams|Ballard is thrilled to partner with Coba Development in the lease-up of Vivre, a boutique luxury apartment building of 49 residences in the historic neighborhood of Logan Circle. Leasing is scheduled to start in February and Vivre is set to welcome residents later this spring.

 

Vivre is a high-designed apartment community featuring finishes normally only reserved for condominium residences. The homes are infused with meticulous Scandinavian elements like light blonde, custom locally made cabinetry and sleek Bosch panelized appliances. Hosting 9’ ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, European white oak flooring, spa baths with custom tile and Kohler fixtures, these residences stand above the rest. Most of the homes also feature private outdoor space in the form of a balcony or private patio. The building is crowned with two expansive penthouse residences with stunning private rooftop terraces offering sweeping city views.

 

Vivre is a full-service apartment community with an onsite full-time concierge, spacious lobby with ride share waiting area and automated package system. On the top floor is a community lounge and adjacent outdoor terrace with a beautiful dining area and grilling stations. Private parking, bike lockers and storage areas are also available for residents.

 

Vivre was developed by Coba, a family-owned, DC-based real estate development company focused on single- and multi-family properties in Washington, DC. They have teamed with the finest architects, builders, designers, and managers, to create homes that inspire.

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 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.

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

Posted on January 18, 2023 by - Press

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

KITCHENS

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

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

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

 

BATHROOMS

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

 

NEIGHBORHOOD

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

 

NEARBY PARKS

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

 

SCHOOLS

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

 

TRANSIT 

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

 

WHAT SETS IT APART

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

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

Posted on November 4, 2022 by - Press

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

 

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

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

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

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

McWilliams|Ballard Celebrates 25 Years of Continued Real Estate Sales & Marketing Success Throughout the Mid-Atlantic

Posted on October 29, 2021 by - Announcements

Washington, DC | October 29, 2021

McWilliams|Ballard is celebrating its 25th Anniversary as the leader in new project development sales and marketing throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Since its founding in 1996 by Ross McWilliams and Christopher Ballard, McWilliams|Ballard has continued to build on its success by working with developers of all sizes to provide a unique sales approach and innovative marketing strategies for the finest condominium, townhome and single-family communities in 13-states across North America.   McWilliams|Ballard has sold over 40,000 homes in 500 communities valued at over $15 billion dollars.

“The moment Ross and I started our business; we knew we could offer something different to the marketplace and our unique approach to sales and marketing would create something incredible.  We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with great gratitude for the relationships and new communities we have helped curate over the years”, shared Christopher Ballard, Founder and President of McWilliams|Ballard.

McWilliams|Ballard, based in Alexandria, continues to create 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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At City Homes in DC, condo-living is a multilevel thing

Posted on October 19, 2021 by - Uncategorized, Press

By Connie Dufner, Washington Post | October 19, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on October 11, 2021 by - Press

By Michele Lerner, Washington Post | October 6, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

1625 Eckington – DC Condo Building Is In the Thick Of Mixed-Use Development

Posted on January 19, 2021 by - Press

By Audrey Hoffer | Washington Post

Jan. 19, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. EST

The streetscape is changing rapidly in part of Northeast Washington’s NoMa neighborhood as redevelopment transforms more than three acres into a mixed-use residential and retail destination. Eckington Yards will have a 12-story, 179-unit condominium building — 1625 Eckington at Quincy Lane — two rental apartment buildings and a structure containing ­townhouse-style condos.
The 179-unit condo building is at ­Eckington Place and Quincy Lane NE, a new street that is an extension of Quincy Place. The lane runs east of Eckington Place between the four new buildings to create a retail corridor open to pedestrians and slow-moving vehicular traffic.
“This is a ‘woonerf-style street,’ ” said Chris Masters, executive vice president of McWilliams Ballard, which is handling sales. “It’s common in Europe and is called a ‘living street.’ ”The first two floors of 1625 Eckington will be occupied by shops and restaurants. The building’s residential units will occupy the third to 12th floors. Base prices for the condos range from $359,900 to $1,299,900. About 20 percent have been sold. A furnished model unit is on view at 1625 Eckington. And the McWilliams Ballard sales gallery, at 1485 Ninth St. NW, has a scale model of the entire development and a mock-up of a kitchen and another of a bathroom.
Boxes checked: Rachel Sinderbrand and Wesley Williamson have lived in NoMa for a few years. “When we started looking to buy, we knew we wanted to stay in walking distance of where we are now,” Williamson said. But they had a growing list of prospects before they saw an ad for 1625 Eckington.
They went to the sales gallery and chose a seventh-floor unit after studying floor plans and researching the developer. “It was very much a trusting situation for us,” Williamson said.
On a hard-hat tour of the unfinished unit, they “got a sense of the space and view,” Sinderbrand said. “We liked the light, especially compared to our home now, which has just one smallish window. And there’s a terrace. It was important to have some outdoor space.”
She added: “It checked all the boxes. Hopefully, we can move in the spring.” Masters confirmed that the unit should be ready to occupy in the spring.
Eckington Yards is in a vibrant, up-and-coming section of D.C. The building at 1625 Eckington has a “warm, residential aesthetic [that] blends mid-century, classic modernist design with industrial touches, evoking the heyday of Eckington’s industrial past,” said Rhea Vaflor, associate principal and lifestyle director at Hickok Cole, the interior designer.

“When residents want to get away without going too far from home, the rooftop [clubroom] features a see-through fireplace with a picture-perfect view of the Capitol, downtown D.C., the Washington Monument and National Cathedral,” she added.The building’s amenities include a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a cafe with a hosting kitchen for entertaining, a green roof and rooftop grilling station. The building lobby will have a full-time concierge.

Eric Colbert & Associates is the architecture firm.

Nearby: Alethia Tanner Park, 2½ acres and open since June, is a neighborhood highlight, with gardens, grass, a playground, a dog park and a connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The park is named for Maryland native Alethia Tanner, who was born enslaved and bought her freedom and the freedom of some relatives in 1810. She promoted education for D.C.’s Black children.

Gallaudet University’s grounds are an inviting place to walk. Union Market weathers the pandemic as a venue for takeout food, with tables outside. The market also has shops such as District Cutlery, Harvey’s Market and Red Apron Butchery. There is a Whole Foods Market on H Street and a Trader Joe’s on Florida Avenue.
Schools: Langley Elementary, McKinley Middle, Dunbar High.
Transit: The closest Metro station, NoMa-Gallaudet U on the Red Line, is within easy walking distance and is one stop from Union Station. It has 10 bike racks. Eckington Yards is near New York and Florida avenues and North Capitol Street. It is steps away from a streetcar line that traverses H Street. Resident-only street parking is prevalent.
1625 Eckington at Quincy Lane
1625 Eckington Pl. NE, Washington

There will be 179 condos in the 12-story building. Base prices range from $359,900 to $1,299,900. About 20 percent are sold.

Developer: JBG Smith
Features: Ceilings are nine feet high. Hardwood floors run throughout the units. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural light. The color scheme is neutral white with black matte fixtures. Bosch appliances, Porcelanosa cabinetry and quartz counters are standard. A below-ground parking garage has about 100 spots available for purchase for $45,000 each. There’s also bike storage.
Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 2 plus den/ 1 or 2
Square-footage: 510 to 1,380
Condominium association fees: $325 to $810 a month
See model: By appointment.
Contacts: Kate Hanley at 202-568-3045 or Timur Loynab at 571-215-6554 and 1625eckington.com

Washington Post Steps Inside Pacifica

Posted on April 14, 2020 by - Press

Condo Project Feels at Home Next to D.C. Historic District

By Audrey Hoffer

April 14, 2020 at 6:30 a.m. EDT

In the Dupont Circle area of Northwest Washington, a line runs down the middle of N Street marking the southern boundary of a D.C. historic district. Buildings on the north side of the street are protected by strict regulations governing demolition and exterior alterations. Those on the south side are not.

Pacifica, a newly built nine-unit condominium at 2122 N, between 21st and 22nd streets, is on the south side of the street. Nevertheless, J Street Cos. still had to satisfy local authorities and respond to angry neighborhood residents on its way to replacing a pair of aging rowhouses there with new construction.

“We explained that our intention was to create a structure much nicer than what existed,” said Bruce Baschuk, chairman of J Street. “The two townhouses weren’t attractive.”

The company turned to GTM Architects

“We were conscious of the appearance of the buildings across the street and the uniformity of the rowhouses,” said Molly Heffner, an associate at GTM. “We wanted to design a building that spoke to the historic fabric of the neighborhood.”

Wide bay windows facing N Street match those in nearby houses. At the same time, the window panes are arranged in a grid of modern slender, black metal frames. Other design elements strike a similar balance. “We designed a large cornice [decorative molding around the roofline] to make the building’s presence felt, while still allowing it to blend seamlessly with the rest of the street,” Heffner said.

Baschuk said the building had won over the opposition. “At the end of the project, the most vocal, negative individuals came up to me one-by-one to say they like it,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the building will look good for a long time. “I told the [Advisory Neighborhood Commission] I anticipate in 30 to 40 years, they’ll designate this building because it will be worthy of historic protection,” he said. “ ‘You won’t want to tear it down,’ I predicted.”

On the inside, the model unit showcases a mix of finishes and design elements intended to make condo living feel like a single-family experience. “While many contemporary finishes were used and open concept living-dining-kitchen areas were created to appeal to today’s condo buyers,” Heffner said, “we also wanted the units to feel like single-family residences. We used a lot of trim work, with crown moldings and cased openings [framed openings without doors] to convey a sense of space and room designation.”

The entry to Unit 5 opens to a little hallway. The smaller of the two bedrooms is on one side and the master bedroom is on the left. An en suite bathroom is reached through one of two walk-in closets in the master bedroom suite.

own the hallway, the unit has another bathroom, a laundry closet and a double-door coat closet. Beyond the hallway is the open plan living space, facing N Street. The L-shaped kitchen faces the living room, and the dining room is around the corner. The living room has a stone-tile gas fireplace, which is standard in all units.

Off the dining room, there is a den with a double glass door. The space is suitable for a guest room, a nursery, a home office, a TV lounge or a dining-room extension for a large dinner party.

Nearby: The neighborhood has many restaurants and bars. There are grocery stores, drugstores, banks, liquor stores, shoe stores and museums. Inside the traffic circle, Dupont Circle has a park with a fountain that is surrounded by a wide walkway, benches, grass and trees.

Schools: Elementary and middle, School Without Walls; high, Cardozo Education Campus.

Transit: Dupont Circle is the heart of walkable Northwest Washington. Sidewalks are wide. Street parking for residents and visitors is plentiful. Bike lanes are pretty common. Dupont Circle Metro station on the Red line is two blocks from Pacifica to the north and the Farragut North Metro station, also on the Red line, is a few blocks in the other direction. Many major traffic corridors — including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut avenues — pass through the circle or run nearby.

Pacifica

2122 N St. NW, Washington

There are nine condominium units in the building. Three are sold. Six are for sale at prices ranging from $995,000 to $2.4 million.

Builder: J Street Cos.

Features: Each unit has a secure parking space. The units have nine-foot-high coffered ceilings and abundant closet space. Kitchens are outfitted with Viking appliances, including a 36-inch refrigerator, a 30-inch gas stove with a hood and a microwave drawer in the island. Counters and backsplash are Calacatta Vagli marble. Custom cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms have a glossy white lacquer finish, and faucets are by Waterworks. Bathroom floors and shower walls have Porcelanosa tiles. Kallista made the bathtubs and fixtures.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 1 to 3 / 2 to 4

Square footage: 1,200 to 2,100

Condominium association fee: About 60 cents per foot

View model: By appointment.

Contact: 202-350-2802 or thepacificalivingdc.com

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