Meridian Pint: Building Up to a June Grand Opening (draft)

A June 2010 grand opening is in the works for Meridian Pint, 3DG's much-anticipated Belgian beer hot spot at the site of the old Bi-Rite Super Market at 3400 11th Street, NW, Washington DC in Columbia Heights. 3DG CEO John Goldman tells DCMud, that the $3 million project came out almost exactly as his all-in-one architect, construction, and development team planned. The building "looks almost identical to the rendering," says Goldman, and is a "contemporary architectural statement that's unique for the neighborhood. We hope it will inspire others to think outside the box." Goldman blames "lots of permitting and regulatory delays from the city" as the reason his team was unable to finish exterior construction by their original Summer 2009 deadline, but assures that they have now "delivered the shell to the tenants" whose interior design and renovation is "well underway." Those tenants, by the way, are John Andrade, the current co-owner of Asylum on 18^th Street, NW and his team of managers and contractors. Andrade signed on to a ten year lease of the 9,500 s.f. space two years ago, after Warehouse Theater owner, Paul Ruppert backed out of opening his own live music and food venue at the space. Although Andrade maintains his new place is "not a sports bar," he still plans to coincide what he's calling the "grandiose grand opening" of Meridian Pint and his downstairs bar Joint Chiefs with the start of the 2010 World Cup Games in June. Andrade boasts that he "did the bulk of the [interior] design work myself," and says progress behind the doors is moving at a "blistering" pace. But until the opening, he's keeping his vision for the interior "Top Secret."

  

Washington DC retail and commercial Real Estate News

New Columbia Heights Destination Open by Fall

With demolition of the old Bi-Rite Super Market location now complete, 3DG Development is progressing steadily with construction of Columbia Height's soon-to-be newest hotspot, Meridian Pint - a Belgian beer-centric restaurant, bar and lounge from John Andrade, the current owner of Asylum on 18^th Street, NW. John Goldman, CEO of 3DG, tells DCmud that, "Demolition has been occurring in phases since we started in September, but we're now done with demolition and are going upwards with steel and framing at this point… The core and shell [are] to be complete by June and doors [will be] open by fall." Located at 3400 11th Street, NW, the site will also will also host second-story office space, to be occupied jointly by 3DG and Somilar International, a DC-based sustainable tourism consultant. Since breaking ground on the project in April of last year, the development team – which also includes 3DG as an architect – has met with the surrounding community as recently as March 11th, when they made a presentation to the local ANC 1A. In keeping with their all-in-one modus operandi, 3DG Construction, LLC is also serving as general contractor on the project.

Washington DC retail and restaurant news

By Rite Development in Columbia Heights

3DG, a District-based architecture and full-service development firm, is now spreading the word about its $3 million plan to redevelop the Bi-Rite building (pictured) at 11th and Park Road in Columbia Heights. 3DG will create a two-story, mixed-use building out of the current one, and plans to offer retail and office space. The development firm made the April 15th groundbreaking announcement today.

Before the shovels have even hit the dirt, 3DG has invited DC restaurateur John Andrade to operate a new two-story restaurant out of the ground floor and below-grade level. Andrade, current owner of Asylum in Adams Morgan, plans to open Meridian Pint in the new building, which will offer American "comfort-food," a "generous vegetarian/vegan section," and downstairs lounge area.

Along with housing Meridian Pint, the new building at 3400 11th Street will also offer office space on the second floor; half of which will be occupied by 3DG and the other half of which will house Solimar International, a DC-based sustainable tourism consultant.

The building itself has been vacant for six years, formerly serving as a liquor and grocery store. According to 3DG, the current structure is "low-slung and out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood." Accordingly, the firm claims it will "transform the prominent corner by applying a modern design language" and "[insert] a second story, set back some 22 feet." 3DG also plans to add an "object wall" which will serve as a 'dramatic design element' within the structure, and catch the eyes of passersby.

"There are so many aspects of this project that we're proud of...Bringing such a fantastic restaurant to the 11th Street corridor. And, we hope, raising the bar for architectural design in the area," said 3DG CEO John Goldman. On the topic of design, Goldman went on talk about the building's 'level of green'. "While we're not going to be going for a LEED certification, we will be building it as sustainably as possible."

Although the ceremonial groundbreaking is taking place on the 15th, actual construction can generally be expected to start within the month, according to Goldman. 3DG plans to deliver later this year.

Washington DC retail news