Jemal Presents Plans for Another 14th Street Residential Project

After receiving support from ANC 1B, Douglas Jemal and his team at Douglas Development hope that the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) are equally kind to their concepts to demolish a forlorn auto shop and build a six-story, 30-unit "apartment house" at 2221 14th Street, NW (see map, left). The development will feature ground floor retail and one level of below grade parking, with spaces for only ten cars and several bicycles.

Courtesy of architects at the relatively new DC firm R2L, the bright and busy concept design draws from a contemporary assortment of glass, metal, brick and terra cotta panels. Sharply angled bay windows protrude from the facade offering apartment dwellers views down both the historic 14th Street and Florida Avenue corridors. Long glass shop windows front the ground floor facade, which will eventually house retail. The environmentally friendly rooftop will feature green landscaping, a lounge deck, and possibly decent views. Architect Sacha Rosen, a principal with R2L, explained that "the massing, form, and rhythm are in the Washington historic tradition, but the details are contemporary." Being located within the Greater U Street Historic District, HPRB will offer feedback shortly, as the project is likely to be included on the Board's next meeting agenda for the 18th of this month.

In early 2009, Jemal, under the guise of "Jemal's Hookers, LLC," was in the process of acquiring raze permits for the vacant auto lot to make room for a new 10,000 s.f. retail development designed by George Myers of GTM Architects. Clearly those plans were scrapped, and this time the metrics are grander. Rosen described the project site as "wonderfully prominent...as one of the historic entrances to the District's core." But given the site's small and irregular shape,

Rosen said his team was presented with the difficult task of designing "a very efficient building that can support an exterior that will do justice to the community's expectations."

Interestingly, a large mural has been proposed for the back wall of the building, facing southwest. The development team has been in contact with G. Byron Peck, a locally based and nationally respected muralist about commissioning the mural's creation and installation. Peck is responsible for the "Black Family Reunion" mural which has been on the wall

of the adjoining property for many years. He also painted the portrait of Duke Ellington located on the wall of Mood Indigo at the corner of 13th and U Streets NW since 1997.

The often painstaking approval process should be finished by February 2011, with design documents complete in late Spring 2011, and developers are optimistically planning for a Summer 2011 groundbreaking.

Washington D.C. Real Estate Development News

HPRB Approves In-fill Project: Historic 14th Street Filling Up

Yesterday, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) recommended approval of a six-floor office space development at 1525 14th Street, NW in the 14th Street Historic District. Originally approved in 2004 as a seven-floor residential project, developer Giorgio Furioso of Furioso Development decided to switch gears given the difficulty of financing and unloading a small-scale condo operation under current conditions. With the change from residential to non-residential, Furioso also ditched original architect Sorg for updated concept designs from Eric Colbert & Associates.

The development will be sandwiched by two eateries, as it is set to occupy the empty space (currently a parking lot) between the beloved Great Wall Szechuan House and the highly reviewed Posto. The project calls for an additional three stories to be affixed atop the historic and stylish facade of 1515 14th, "a classically-styled automobile showroom constructed in 1928 for a Hudson dealership" that now houses Posto on the ground-floor, and an art gallery on the top level (both entities will remain). The addition to 1515 will be set back roughly 20 ft. from the front façade, so as not to compromise the architectural integrity of the building. Furioso is proposing that the first two floors of the total 55,000 s.f. house retail tenants, while the remaining four levels will be reserved as office space. The building will rest atop three below-grade levels, the first for storage, and the bottom two accessed by a car elevator for parking.

The originally proposed residential project offered a much different aesthetic, as architects at Sorg had initially designed a Cubism-inspired building reminiscent of the work of Frank Gehry. And while the density and massing of the new proposal remain the same, the design is entirely reworked. Although not boring, the new design is certainly less adventurous than the previous. And while the design and materials remain of a modern flavor, the prevailing stone curtain system, and the arrangement of the columns, help better reflect and mesh with the proportions and the large showroom windows of the historic building next door.

HPRB Staff Reviewer Steve Callcott had previously expressed concerns about fluorescent fixtures from the offices becoming an unattractive anomaly on the historic nighttime streetscape. Due to these concerns one of the earlier drafts, a design employing a more generous use of unobstructed glass, was scrapped for the presently submitted rendering (pictured at the top). Architect Eric Colbert explained that increased architectural complexity on the facade as well as added louvers had diminished views into the office levels and alleviated Callcott's concerns. With Callcott and the Board's approval, the development team will now submit their proposal to the BZA, with a groundbreaking still some time off.

Washington D.C. Real Estate Development News

JBG Announces Partner, Groundbreaking on 14th Street

JBG announced on Friday that it will partner with Grosvenor, an international real estate firm, to develop its condominium project in the Logan Circle neighborhood of DC, with site work to start as early as next month. It was unclear what role London-based Grosvenor would play in the joint venture on a site JBG has controlled since 2008, but JBG described Grosvenor as a "capital partner." The project will offer 125 condominium units available in early 2012 and a full level of retail. The 14th Street site, home to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, is among DC's more vibrant retail scenes, but has not scored the start of a new residential project in four years since Citta 50 was built, which only recently sold out. JBG will incorporate the century-old, 4-story clinic into the 7 story building, but had previously been only tentative that construction would be underway this year. It now says demolition will begin "within the next month," with construction to follow in October. DC-based Shalom Baranes is the architect, and JBG announced earlier this year that Toronto-based Cecconi Simone would design the interiors (a revised rendering just released is above). Developers described the new building as a "five-story projecting glazed bays on a terra cotta and brick façade" and have promised a "highly-amenitized" condominium. This is the first project in the area for Grosvenor, unlike JBG, which is based out of Chevy Chase and has extensive residential development experience. "We wanted to bring our expertise and vision for vibrant mixed-use urban development to Washington, D.C., part of Grosvenor’s focus for future development projects," said Mark Darley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Grosvenor. Local developers have shied away from starting projects in the neighborhood; developer Scott Pannick of Metropolis Development backed out of the Whitman-Walker site in 2007 over concerns of a market gone south, and others projects like UDR's Nehemiah Center project and Georgetown Strategic Capital's apartment building one block north have been stalled indeterminately. Update: In response to a request for comment on this article, JBG submitted the following statement:

JBG has a breadth of experience developing projects in the DC area, including other luxury residential projects. However, the 14th & S project will be somewhat unique for JBG in that it will be more of a boutique building with a more modern European design aesthetic and smaller, more efficient units. The project is now fully entitled and designed, but JBG believes it can still learn a great deal from Grosvenor’s extensive worldwide experience investing in and designing similar urban luxury projects.

Washington DC commercial real estate news

JBG Razing Residential Hopes on 14th Street

14th Street appears to have crossed the last hurdle to its next big project, now that the JBG Companies has filed its application to demolish a strip of properties along 14th Street between S and Swann Streets. JBG says construction will begin this year to build its condo project on the site of the historic Whitman-Walker Clinic. Matt Blocher, a Senior Vice President for JBG, said "it is our goal to begin construction in late 2010; the construction timeline is estimated to be 20-months."

The seven-story building, designed by Shalom Baranes, will bring 120 residential units to the 14th Street Corridor/U Street area. A below-grade parking garage will offer at least 90 spaces to serve both the residential and retail needs.

According to plans submitted to the Historic Preservation Review Board, the 14th Street side of the building will have four five-story "vertical projecting bays," and the seventh floor will be set back and largely composed of glazed glass. The District's Zoning Commission has already approved changes to the roof design that will maximize rooftop recreational space. To beautify the back alley, the designers proposed a "panelized brick wall" that might, designers say, be partially hidden by vines growing down from rooftop planters.

Retail will be available on three sides: on the north, south, and along 14th Streets, the main residential entrance will be off of S Street. Ground floor retail of 18,000 s.f. includes 200 feet of frontage on 14th Street and 110 feet of frontage on S and Swann Streets. The 14th Street frontage required an exception to the Arts Overlay to allow a higher percentage of dining or drinking space. The Overlay requires that no more than 25 percent of "linear footage" be used for eating and drinking establishments. The developers received approval for the exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment in February of 2009.

Washington, DC real estate development news

Buying Time for Utopia

This week the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) granted a two-year extension to Georgetown Strategic Capital LLC (GSC) for the planned Utopia development at 14th and U, painting a hazy picture for the future of the site. In April, Robert Moore of GSC hinted that his firm might make an announcement "hopefully in the next couple weeks" about financing and a timeline. To date, no announcement has followed and now the developers have secured an extension for the project, plans for which will not expire until November 13, 2012. Moore could not be reached for comment on the BZA action.

GSC received original approval in November 2008 and the zoning exceptions would have expired this coming November. A May filing by GSC was met with approval this week after the firm sent a notice to all involved parties, including the ANC, none of which submitted a response objecting to the extension.

In April, Moore said once the team secures financing for the $93.5 million project they will put together construction drawings and obtain permits, reportedly over the next nine months. Moore said construction would likely begin in 2011 and complete in 2012. Utopia will provide 220 residential rental units on the corner of 14th and U Streets, with the building and all entrances facing 14th Street and incorporating some of the historic facades on U.

The new project will offer 150 parking spaces to service both retail and residential uses. The building with be tallest on U Street at 90 feet, stepping down to 65 feet, then 45 feet on the south side as it moves away from U Street and will include 20,000 s.f. of retail and a roof top pool. Eric Colbert & Associates designed the mixed-use project.

UPDATE: Robert Moore of GSC reached out to DCMud to provide a brief update on the project. Moore said his team is still wrapping up financing and a joint venture partner agreement. Financing in terms of debt financing for construction is still "a long way off" he added. That said, Moore hopes to obtain permits "over the next 12 months" and that he is "pretty confident" that the project will be in the ground in the beginning of 2011.

Washington, DC real estate development news

Chapin Street Development Approved

A proposed five-story, 44-unit, residential building at 1412 Chapin Street received Zoning Commission approval Monday evening. The project joins two other planned developments, Nehemiah Center and 14 W (the latter two sitting idle, for now), in the Meridian Hill neighborhood, equidistant from the Columbia Heights and U Street Metro stations. Buwa Binite of Dantes Partners first submitted the PGN Architects-designed plan to the Zoning Commission in November 2009. Despite the approval, Binite is staying mum on any details about construction timelines. The proposed building would replace a vacant lot that once held the Berkshire, a residential building larger than the proposed structure that burned down in 1996. The ground floor, which will include a community room, will occupy 100% of the available lot space, with the above-grade floors taking on a "U-shape" to occupy only 80% of the footprint. Most units will have a balcony and all residents will have access to a rooftop deck. According to Jeff Goin a Partner at PGN Architects, the design for the building was a challenge, "it's a lot of competition for a project like this to keep it affordable, to kind of match the Solea, the Union - the PN Hoffman [project]. Other projects you see are high-end and quite articulate." In a neighborhood full of new luxury buildings, "the challenge is to meet some of the other newer designs and be competitive and also meet the constraints of affordable housing," explained Goin. The design uses banding of brick, masonry and metal panels, adding three large bays of metal panels to address the planned developments along the Eastern alley of the building. Along the hill on Chapin Street, the structure continues the masonry and metal closer to the planned Nehemiah building, but switches to brick facade "to have a contextual relationship" with the existing traditional structures more typical of Meridian Hill. The proposed project will offer all rental units as affordable and the developer has agreed to provide a $50 SmartTrip card and subsidize membership fees for either a SmartBike or Zip Car membership for each unit upon move-in. Because of the site's proximity to the metro, below-grade parking will provide precisely 34 bicycle spaces (don't even try getting a 35th bike in there) and 17 car spaces, according to the zoning application. The developer could file for construction permits over the course of the summer for work to begin in the fall, if Binite's comments at a community meeting last summer hold true. 

Washington, DC real estate development news

Room and Board

Newly renovated interior with hardwood floors throughout, charming antique fireplace mantles, open, airy space and a stunning roof deck addition. Marketing for a new condo? No; a description of the new Room and Board store coming to the 14th Street scene this June. Adding to the design/decor corridor along 14th Street, NW, the new DC flagship location for the Minneapolis-based home furniture retailer is nearing completion at 14th and T Street in the old Taylor Motor Building. Last June, the retailers purchased the vacant, four-story building at 1840 14th Street, with plans to transform it into a fully rehabbed showroom and sales location. The company retained DC architects Eric Colbert and Associates to design the extensive renovation and work as a local advocate to get approvals from Historic and Zoning.

Area residents have been eying the progress especially now that the scaffolding came down and a new sign was added last week to the 14th Street side, both portending the opening, scheduled for early to mid-June. The new store will offer 36,000 s.f. of open show room space on three floors and a roof top area. A roof deck with a wrap around glass balcony offers fantastic views of the Logan and U Street area--the perfect place to contemplate life and design on a sunny day. If only they were putting in a coffee shop...

The retailers tasked Project Architect Eric Colbert with exposing much of the interior structures - like the original concrete beams. As you enter through the large glass doors from 14th street, the space opens before you, drawing your attention to the "grand staircase" and the streaming light flooding the store from the new windows that replicate the original single-pain industrial sash windows. Keeping with the retailer's request, Colbert and McCullough Construction built 3/4 walls that act as partitions anchored to the ground, not reaching the full height of the ceilings, where the duct work and pipes are exposed "in a neat and orderly manner," according to Colbert. The architect also attempted to recreate contemporary showroom windows, using steel details in canopies and bays to create something that looked like it may have been "added recently, but has the feeling and overall effect of the original concept."

The addition of a rooftop area posed the challenge of integrating "aesthetics of an addition with the existing structure to make it harmonious" said Colbert. He added, "a sophisticated addition to an historic building does not try to mimic the historic building because then there is no immediate story on how it evolved over time." On average the addition is set back 20 to 30 feet on all sides except that with the adjoining building. Colbert designed a wood deck with a tempered glass handrail set back an additional four feet from the edge to prevent visual obstructions of the historic area.

A construction manager from McCullough walked us through the project pointing out unique details for the store, like the slabs of wood for the floor that upon closer examination had a pattern of swirls and flourishes meant to look like an old mill room floor. Then there are the five fireplaces throughout the building, stone and iron frames will integrate antique mantles (salvaged from area homes) into the new space. On the interior walls that were covered in plaster and stucco during one of the space's many incarnations, the builders are applying a thin brick facade, closer to what the interior looked like when first built.

The store will act as a showroom for furniture, where customers can try out a couch, pick out a fabric and then order their newest piece of furniture for delivery. By showing furniture on location, but not selling pieces then and there, the store will minimize the number of deliveries and traffic in the alley and neighboring street.
You can check it out yourself when it opens in June. Don't forget, the rooftop is BYOL (bring your own latte).

Washington DC real estate development news

Buying Into Utopia

Though it may be hard to believe, U Street still has a few rough edges without the pizazz of chic bars and swanky loft apartments, but not for long: enter Utopia at the corner of 14th and U, where developers assert a construction timeline is nigh. Robert Moore of Georgetown Strategic Capital LLC (GSC) is the optimist behind Utopia's assemblage of parcels into a mixed-use residential and retail project; Moore recently shared with DCMud how his long gestating plans are coming into focus.

Though the Utopia project was "hammered by the economy in '08 and '09," said Moore, the team is deep in the process of "inking" an agreement with a large financial institution. Moore indicated everything has to "go through the lawyers," but that he could make an announcement about financing and a timeline "hopefully in the next couple weeks." With financial backing secured for the $93.5 million project, the team will then put together construction drawings and obtain permits, reportedly over the next nine months. Moore said construction would likely begin in 2011 and complete in 2012.

The Utopian vision is for 220 residential rental units on the corner of 14th and U Streets, with the building and all entrances facing 14th Street. Historic structures along U Street would remain, while their less historic neighbors will be sacrificed. An approved curb cut means that two levels of parking will be accessed from 14th Street, loading will take place in the back alley. Just a block from the U Street Metro, the new project will offer 150 parking spaces to service both retail and residential uses. The building with be tallest on U Street at 90 feet, stepping down to 65 feet, then 45 feet on the south side as it moves away from U Street. Moore plans 20,000 s.f. of retail and a roof top pool.

Though most of the buildings on 14th Street will be demolished, the historic structures along U Street will be spared by setting the project 60 feet back from U Street. Architect Eric Colbert of Eric Colbert & Associates said that the design process was highly collaborative, including near-monthly meetings with organizations such as the Dupont Circle Conservancy, the ANC and the Historic Preservation staff. Developers have pledged use of materials in keeping with the style of the neighborhood; team members consulted the community on window designs, and window and brick colors.

One "very important" aspect of the design, according to Colbert, is the density, which is greatest near U Street and gradually "terraces down towards the residential neighborhood to the south." Additionally, the architects "broke-up the facade" so that it reads as "different rowbuildings rather than some blockbuster building," according to the architect. The terracing is designed to provide a "sense of hierarchy of scale" instead of providing a flat, box-like facade from the street.

The team has not determined whether or not it will seek LEED certification, though Colbert assures us that "we are definitely going to make it as green as possible...it's definitely the trend."

Washington, DC real estate development news

Future of 14th and R Still in Limbo

The ever-changing plans for the site of the former Central Union Mission will go before Zoning this month for an extension to an approval granted in May 2008. The project will sit directly across the street from a planned seven-story residential development, each hugging their respective corners on 14th and R Streets NW. Developer Jeffrey Schonberger of Alturas Real Estate Interest planned a mixed-use retail and residential project, then an office building, and most recently for a large-scale retail space once rumored to have caught the eye of CB2 (Crate and Barrel's "cheaper" offspring). Whatever it is he's bringing to the Logan area, he needs more time, given the economy and the quandary of Central Union Mission. Schonberger entered into a purchase agreement for the property with the Mission in 2006. The developer owned property in Petworth which was swapped for the Mission's 14th street site as part of the sale agreement. Schonberger woudl also pay upwards of $7 milllion for the Logan property. The final sale, however, is contingent on the Mission's ability to relocate its shelter services. Initially the Mission sough to build a 100-bed homeless shelter in Petworth, to which neighbors responded with a resounding no-thank-you-very-much. With Petworth no longer an option for a shelter, the Mission sought to make a deal with the District for the Gales School, only to be derailed by an ACLU lawsuit. At this point, Schonberger's plans for the former automobile showroom began to unravel. Now the development team is going before the Board of Zoning Adjustment to ask for an extension to various zoning exceptions granted in May 2008. Some of the exceptions related to the historic building on site, which the Historic Preservation Review Board ruled had to stay, meaning future development will entail a reuse of the former auto showroom, likely with additions. 

 The developer also seeks to renew the exceptions to the arts use and design requirements to allow a mixed-use residential and retail development despite the requirements that 14th street have a balance of uses that favors the Arts. Any project will be required to have ground floor retail, though the rest is up for debate.A source familiar with the project indicated that no decisions had been made on the eventual use of the property (i.e. commercial or residential) since the project is "so far from development" and the Mission has not yet relocated. Assuming Zoning grants the extension, the developer will have a year to breathe before having to file for construction permits and another year after that until work needs to be under way. Two years might be enough time to tie of up the Mission's loose ends. To date, DC public records still reflect the deed to the property under the Mission's name. Wonder who Schonberger is rooting for in the new Gales School RFP contest? 

Washington DC real estate and development news

14th Street YMCA: Short on the Dough

Despite the mini-boom taking hold on the 14th Street corridor - View 14, Room & Board, JBG's large condo project, and a surfeit of new retail - not all projects are having an easy time of digging up money. In addition to UDR's iced over plans up the hill for the Nehemiah Center, the latest financing casualty is the redevelopment of the Anthony Bowen YMCA into a large apartment building. The planned mixed use development at 14th and W Streets has not disturbed any earth since the project "broke ground" in September 2008, nor does it look like it will make any progress soon. The 231-unit project was planned by Perseus Realty LLC in conjunction with Capmark Investments LP and the minority owned DC-based FLGA Real Estate Group. In 2008, the team optimistically estimated a 2010 finish date; now an optimistic view would be a 2010 start date.

Brian DeBose, spokesperson for Councilmember Jim Graham, whose ward the project sits in, told DCMud, "The project is stalled. There is no financing and there has not been a breakthrough." In short, DeBose surmised, "Nothing is going on."

DeBose added that the District does not have the money to provide a TIF or any seed money to help bolster the stalled development, even if the will was there. To be fair, the District has already done its share during more flush times, including the District Council's 2008 decision to grant a hefty 20 years of tax abatement and $1 million in forgone sales taxes on construction materials for the project's development.

Clark Construction is the general contractor, if it comes to that, for the planned 236,000-s.f. apartment building with 18 affordable units. The project is also supposed to include a new 46,000-s.f. YMCA and 12,200 s.f. of retail space. Designs for the project are by Davis Carter Scott and HOK. The Anthony Bowen YMCA was named for a Prince George’s County slave who relocated to Washington after purchasing his freedom. Bowen went on to co-found the nation’s first African-American YMCA in 1853. Developers for the project were either unwilling to comment or did not return phone calls requesting additional information.

Washington, DC real estate and development news

Union Row Condominiums

Union Row Condominiums, 2125 14th St., NW, Washington DC 

Union Row consists of an 8-story, 216-unit condo building on 14th Street (The Flats), as well as 52 condos in the rear alley converted from old warehouses. Located in the heart of the U St. corridor, the project was completed in the fall of 2007. Developed by PN Hoffman, with design by SK&I Architecture, some units offer floor to ceiling windows and glass bays in a glass-dominated facade, which offers some city views. Condo sales began in early 2006, the building sold out in early 2010. The project includes a Yes! organic market, with many similar neighboring projects such as the Nehemiah Center and View14 adding more retail in the near future. The rounded facade was designed to fit strategically above the bend in the Metrorail tunnel that passes directly below. The Warehouses at Union Row feature 52 split-level and single level "townhouse style" condos in a converted and expanded warehouse - 2 parallel buildings separated by a courtyard, with some 3-level condos featuring floor to ceiling windows. The Warehouse is in keeping with PNH's trademark: loft-style developments with exposed utility features and exposed concrete ceilings; the physical structure offers a unique alternative to the cubed edifices more common to the area. The warehouse condominiums are located directly behind the Flats at Union Row, providing a sheltered space just off busy 14th Street. Once a forgotten part of Washington DC, this section of the District is destined to become more of a residential core with a strong commercial strip running through it. Post your comments about this project below

That New Condo Smell: Coming Soon to a Parking Lot Near U

According to Bonstra/Haresign Architects, construction will soon begin on a 31 or 32-unit, mixed-use condo development at 1638 14th Street in the 14th Street Historic District. This yet-unnamed, 7-story, 30,000 s.f. condominium will be built atop a 6,000 s.f. parking lot at the corner of R and 14th Street NW.

Bonstra/Haresign architect David Baker tells DCMud the project was "on hold for over a year, but now it's moving forward thanks to a new owner." That would be Habte Sequar, officially Loford LLC, who also built Renaissance Condos near Logan Circle in 2008 and the Josephine at 440 Rhode Island Avenue, which were intended to be completed by now but have not yet begun settlements.

The condos are "in the permit stage right now. I guess [the groundbreaking date] all depends on when we get final approval," but, says Baker, "the owner is interviewing general contractors" and has an optimistic "early spring" groundbreaking in mind.

Assuming April showers bring May condominiums, 14th Street residents are in store for 3,000 s.f. of ground floor encased behind "a highly symmetrical" facade of glass and buff limestone. These design details are meant to play up 14th Street's automobile row legacy by invoking the look and feel of a new car showroom. On the R Street side, the height will be scaled back and a "warmer pallet with red brick" will help to integrate the residential and business identities of the building with the larger neighborhood.







Plans for the condos "were submitted before the IZ [the District's Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program] went into effect" last August, and although Baker can't say for certain that none of the units will be offered below market-rate, he doesn't believe there will be an affordable component to the project. The project may also have some direct competition from JBG one block north, which has plans for its own, much larger condo on 14th Street.

If you (ahem) check under the hood of this work in progress, you'll find plans for an underground, one-level, 18-space garage built into the vault space along R Street. Rounding out the top of the building are either one or two spacious penthouse-style condos. But while the penthouse unit(s) might feel quite spacious, the one and two-bedroom units making up the rest of the building will have to be squeezed into what's left of the 30,000 s.f. of space. Baker admits that "none" of these remaining 30+ condos will be "very large units" and most will fall into the "roughly 1,000 s.f." category.

Washington, DC Real Estate and Development News

DCMud and DCRE's New Neighbors

Though we cover real estate and development all over DC and inside the Beltway, at the start of this new year we'd like to introduce a few of our new retail neighbors who joined us in the Logan Circle area in 2009. Welcome to Logan from DCMud and DCRE.

• Cork Market & Tasting Room (1805 14th Street NW; 202-265-2674): The retail side of our neighborhood wine bar opened its doors in the first week of December 2009, offering small-batch and hard to find wines in addition to a plethora of gourmet goodies. And there is truly something for all our indulgences--a morning espresso with a bacon and cheddar scone, rustic sandwiches (think salami, arugula, roasted peppers & fresh mozzarella) & homemade salads for lunch. And of course, the perfect Burgundy to start the evening. Not sure you even like Burgundy? No problem, the shop hosts wine tastings between 5-7pm every evening.

• LuLu Lemon (1461 P Street NW; 202-518-4075) That's right Dupont, we've got one too! LuLu Lemon's store on P Street lets neighbors get their fix of lots of great athletic gear for men and women, as well as a complimentary yoga class Sunday mornings at 10am and a Run Club Mondays at 6:30pm. However, if the last time you bought workout wear was when you got your striped leotard and matching headband to sweat along with Jane Fonda, be prepared that this is the upscale workout gear--yoga pants run from $74-98 a pair. The deep breathing you'll learn at the yoga classes will help when you're checking out at the register.

• Fathom Creative (1333 14th Street NW; 202-588-8100): The creative corridor continues to expand as we welcomed our new neighbor Fathom Creative to the 14th street corridor over the summer. Not only do we LOVE what they did with their building, but we are also happy to have a few more design-oriented thinkers in our neck of the woods. Aside from the typical branding, design & development, Fathom offers: content migration, search engine optimization, social media, interactive presentations--and that's just the start. And the owners, Drew & Bill, are two of the nicest guys we've met in quite some time.

Restaurants/Cafe's

• Churchkey and Birch&Barley (1337 14th Street NW; 202-567-2576): Talk about a transformation. In the space that previously housed very kitschy Dakota Cowgirl, a new bar (Churchkey) & restaurant (Birch & Barley) have opened that appears to be the Holy Grail for beer consumption. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, and just catty corner to our office, we've determined we could spend an awful lot of time working our way through their extensive collections--50 different drafts broken into categories such as: Crisp, Roast, Fruit & Spice and our personal favorite, Tart & Funky. And don't get us started on the 550+ beers they have by the bottle. For the ultimate beer enthusiast, they also break down the Brewer, Style, Alcohol by Volume, Serving Temp and Serving Vessel. Word of warning, Churchkey, opens at 4 and by 5:30 almost every seat is taken.

• Downstairs Birch & Barley is the more Zen space with its exposed brick walls, "trees" growing in the walls, stunning reclaimed hardwood floors and soft pendant lights floating around the room. While Churchkey offers more pub-like fare such as Truffled Grilled Cheese Panino and Mac & Cheese Sticks, B&B offers the heartier fare. And don't miss the Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread (which is also available in a Gluten Fee version no less). Reservations strongly recommended.

• Masa 14 (1825 14th Street NW; 202-328-1414): Our writer ran into a few of our agents here one night by coincidence, but that's not such a surprise; who wouldn't love the location, atmosphere and $4 happy hour prices that go from 5 until 7? Mmm mojitos and spicy edamame! Masa 14 is a Latin Asian fusion concept specializing in small plates--like the very yummy Crispy Crab Won Ton Rolls & the Crunchy Shrimp. And for those of you looking for the perfect bar to stretch out at (65 feet long that is) and drink until the wee hours, you'll be happy to discover that Sunday - Thursday the restaurant is open until 2am and Friday and Saturday night until 3am. And at 1:30am, what could be a better night cap than trying out a flight from their vast array of tequilas?

• MidCity Caffe (1626 14th Street NW; 202-234-1515): MidCity opened as the local cafe above Miss Pixie's in August of this year. It's funky interior is always filled with writers, students and lovers of good coffee- they serve the ultimate hipster coffee- Counter Culture Coffee. And apparently all their baked goods come from a collection of "DC-based pastry gurus." Drop by every other Tuesday to hear live music from local artists.

• Pitango Gelato (1451 P Street NW; 202-332-8877): Not just the source of a summertime treat, this neighborhood Gelato Cafe also offers fresh espresso and AMAZING hot chocolate. They also don't skimp on the quality: they don't just use "milk," they use "grass-fed organic milk". Pistachios and hazelnut paste are imported from Italy. This self-indulgence in a cup is not a cheap treat; small cups are just over $5. However, after trying the hazelnut gelato and coconut sorbet, we realized why all those people have been patiently standing in line out onto the sidewalk since they opened.

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