Historic Hill Hospital Going under the Knife

The Old Naval Hospital Foundation (ONHF), working in tandem with the Office of Property Management (OPM), is growing closer to a final design concept for the restoration of one of the District’s oldest medical facilities, the Old Naval Hospital at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. If all goes according to plan, the 145-year-old, Civil War-era institution, which has gone largely unused since 1999, will re-emerge as the Hill Center - a non-profit educational facility for "lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and community life."

Part and parcel with the Hill Center’s mission statement will be a complete refurbishment of the hospital and its grounds. BELL Architects is planning, since condos are probably out of the question, that the building’s top floor will be devoted to office space for community organizations, while the remainder of rooms will be retrofitted for all-purpose uses, capable of hosting “meetings, workshops, lectures, recitals, after-school tutoring, art exhibits, receptions and the many other functions and events that make a neighborhood a community.”

The ONHF has already secured sponsorship from the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Capitol Hill Computer Center for select events. Meanwhile, the carriage house adjoining the main building will converted into “a family-friendly café.” According to architect David Bell, the “project’s goal is to create a community center that doubles a commercial building, in keeping with the scale and shape of the original building.”

But similar plans have appeared - and evaporated - before. OPM first announced their intent to restore the property in 2002 and have vetted several projects, but some area residents expressed concerns that the project is now moving too fast at last month’s meeting of the ANC 6B and cited the need for more community input. Members of the project team, however, were quick to disagree.

“Take a look around. This building is deteriorating,” Bell told the commission. “I’m concerned [that the longer we wait] the more difficult and expensive this will be.”

The ANC subsequently approved the design. However, according to Ann Brockett of the Historic Preservation Review Board, the project has yet to be scheduled for HPRB review – a process that can take anywhere from weeks to (gulp) years. Nonetheless, the ONHF is optimistic that they will soon be making headway on the renovation. “If all goes as planned with leasing, permitting and construction,” reads their project plan, “the Center will be open and operating at the beginning of 2011.”

SE Development Parcel Up for Grabs

Like so many properties on a Monopoly board, parcels in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood (aka SE near the stadium) have changed hands frequently over the last 5 years. What used to be one of Washington, DC's least desirable neighborhoods has transformed into some of the metro area's more interesting commodities; and now there’s another up for grabs.

The ICP Group is currently seeking inquiries for a sealed bid sale of their parcels at 810, 816 and 820 Potomac Avenue, SE. IPC had initially purchased the pair of Barrack's Row office/retail buildings and adjoining 20,000 square foot lot in 2005 for $9 million with the intention of transforming it into a multi-phase, mixed-use development. Now they've teamed with Lincoln Commercial Services Inc. and Hollywood Real Estate Services, LLC to hand it off to the highest bidder and, according to the developer, they’ve already received a number of inquiries, including “a Navy Yard-focused hotel and apartments, University Campus, retail and offices, and a childcare center for Navy Yard employees.”

Back in 2005, ICP announced three different projects within the Capitol Riverfront: 810 Potomac Avenue, the Admiral at Barrack’s Row, and the redevelopment of four historic townhomes on L Street SE. Despite receiving approval from the city for the Admiral – a 17-unit, $6 million condo project – and projecting a 2008 completion, ICP dodged a bullet when the plan was delayed, and the condo idea shelved altogether. The townhouse project has also not materialized. But despite ICP's non-development, other interested parties in IPC’s circle seem to think they’ll have no problem disposing of a property in one of DC’s hottest development districts.

“This is perhaps one of the most active sub-markets in the country for redevelopment… and also one of the few areas where development financing is still readily available, aided by federal programs along with market conditions,” said James Connelly, Vice President of Government Relations for LPC Commercial Services, a co-advisor to the bid.

The former development team will be accepting bids on the Potomac Avenue parcel until March 15th.

BZA Approves Mixed-Use Project for Barrack’s Row

Just prior to last week’s holiday, Old City Development LLC – the nome de plume of ICP Partners and two of its' principals, Leon Kafele and Michael Hatchett – received approval from the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment for their proposed $6 million, mixed-use project at 801 Virginia Avenue SE, at the foot of Barrack's Row, bridging the gap between the Ballpark District and Capitol Hill.

Originally envisioned as a 4-story, 17-unit condo development with a base of ground floor retail, plans for the so-called “Admiral at Barrack’s Row” have since been redrafted to convert the proposed housing into office space. As it now stands, the Admiral will feature 19,000 square feet of office space, a 3,000 square foot first floor retail center, and an undetermined amount of underground parking – which will be reserved solely for the offices’ work force and not retail clientèle. Designs for the project are being handled by Bonstra Haresign Architects.

The project at 801 Virginia is just one of the three that Kafele and Hatchett announced back in 2005. Along with the Admiral, they were planning to construct a multi-phase, mixed-use development at 810 Potomac Avenue SE and convert four historic townhomes on the 800 block of L Street SE into leasable office space. As of this writing, neither of those projects have yet materialized and, though the Admiral was initially scheduled to begin construction in late 2006 for a projected 2008 delivery, the site at 801 Virginia still houses a derelict auto-body shop and parking lot. No revised timeline for the Admiral was discussed at the hearing - though, according to JDLand.com, the DC Office of Planning, ANC 6B, and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society have all signed off on the project.

Butterfield House Architectural Tour

SPONSOR
The Butterfield House will be offering a guided tour, led by the project architect, Sassan Gharai, principle of SGA Architects of Bethesda. The tour will take place at 3 pm on Saturday, July 26th, on location at 1020 Pennsylvania Ave., SE. The Butterfield House, a 28-unit residential building near Capitol Hill's Eastern Market, recently completed construction, and was featured last month by the prestigious National Building Museum for its design, which successfully blends modern amenities and technology within the framework of Capitol Hill's historic fabric, adding to the Hill an elegantly detailed structure, even by the rigorous standards of the surrounding architecture.
SGA Architects has designed and developed a number of large commercial, residential, and retail buildings throughout the greater DC area. Development of the Butterfield House, named after celebrated architect William Butterfield, involved removal and remediation of the structures and soil of the service station that had occupied the site for many years. Mr. Gharai will be discussing the environmental improvement of the site as the architecture and design of the building. Marketing and sales by DCRE.


Washington DC real estate news

District Picks Developer for Old Engine House 10

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development announced yesterday that it selected the Argos Group to redevelop two Capitol Hill buildings including Old Engine House 10 into two buildings with four condo units each, half of which will be affordable.

Located in the northeast corner of Capitol Hill at 525 Ninth Street, NE and 1341 Maryland Avenue, NE, both buildings are just over 5,000 s.f., assessed at almost $1 million, and have stood vacant for years. The District issued a solicitation for developers in January, three teams responded.

Offers were evaluated based on experience, project feasibility, unit affordability, offer price, and Certified Business Enterprise participation. The developer, who has far exceeded the 30 percent affordable housing requirement, must also use green building design standards.

The Maryland Avenue building is 114 years old and was designated a historic landmark in January of this year. The Ninth Street property, built in 1932, was formerly a police station. Both were controlled by the former National Capital Revitalization Corporation until the agency was dissolved and it's properties transferred to the Deputy Mayor's Office.


Deputy Mayor Neil Albert said it is time for the buildings to become more aesthetically pleasing and put to better use. "These are great historic structures, but they've been neighborhood eye sores for far too long. Argos is a highly capable local developer that will put these properties back to productive use and make lasting improvements to these neighborhoods."

Argos' $3 million redevelopment project, within walking distance of the H Street corridor, will be designed by Architrave with construction by Hamel Builders.

National Building Museum Features Butterfield House

SPONSORED ARTICLE The National Building Museum will be sponsoring a tour of the Butterfield House, at 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Friday, June 27th. The organization, a Congressionally-chartered institute to enhance more thoughtful and architectural techniques, sponsors its monthly tour to "highlight special construction methods and innovative technologies used in the building process. Some tours have focused on green building strategies, while others have examined preservation projects of historic buildings." SGA Architects, a Bethesda-based firm performing both architecture and multi-family development, converted the site from an auto repair shop to a high-end condominium, completing the project earlier this year. The developer is now selling the remaining 8 units in the 28 unit building, and is celebrating what will be an iconic building due to its classic design and Pennsylvania Avenue address. The new condo sits just two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro station and Barrack's Row, and advertises such features as cork sound remediation layering between the floor and subfloor, reclaimed wide-plank cherry floors, underground parking, and video entry systems. Condos start at $359,000 for one bedroom and at $575,000 for two bedrooms. 

Capitol Hill real estate development news

New Condo Opens on Capitol Hill

The developer of Capitol Hill's newest real estate development has announced it has completed construction and will hold its public opening this weekend. The Butterfield House, at 1020 Pennsylvania Avenue, had already sold about half the 28 units in the building during pre-construction; the developer had been making final improvements over the past month to complete the building. SGA Companies, a Bethesda-based firm performing both architecture and multi-family development, converted the site from a gas station and auto repair shop to a condominium over the past two years. SGA both designed and developed the Butterfield House, in what is likely to be the last new condo on Capitol Hill proper for the next few years, with no other new construction in the development pipeline on the Hill. About 2650 new condominium units are likely to reach delivery in DC within the next two years, nearly 60% of which will be concentrated in Mt. Vernon Triangle, the new stadium area, and the U Street corridor. The developer will hold the Butterfield House Grand Opening on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23rd, to celebrate what it hopes will be one of the more iconic buildings on Capitol Hill due to its design and address on Pennsylvania Avenue. The new condo sits just two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro station, and advertises such features as cork sound remediation layering between the floor and subfloor, reclaimed wide-plank cherry floors, underground parking, and video entry systems. Condos range in price from about $350,000 to over $1m. Sales and marketing by Ken Johnson of DCRE.

Washington DC commercial property development news

Axis Condos on Capitol Hill

Axis Condos celebrates the opening of its model units on Capitol Hill. Axis Condos marries gorgeous interior design and finishes with the latest technological amenities, including surround-sound speakers throughout each unit, built-in speakers, individualized music control for each room, and built-in flat screen TV for a smart unit that just may be the smartest idea out of Capitol Hill in years. And because 'smart' wouldn't be cool without style, Axis offers your choice of solid granite or gorgeous white Ceaserstone countertops, choice of hardwood styles, kitchen islands with breakfast counters, sleek GE appliances, cabinet-depth refrigerators, natural stone tiling, and baths modeled on modern spas. Located only 4 blocks from Metro and a short walk to Lincoln Park. Take a tour of the best views on Capitol Hill from the spacious rooftop deck, or just take advantage of the private outdoor space on every unit. Model units are now open on site every Thursday through Sunday; garage parking is available. Prices begin at $325,900.  Marketing and sales by DCRE.

Washington DC retail and real estate news

Prime Lot on Capitol Hill Being Stitched Up

20 F Street NW, currently a surface parking lot next to the Irish Times, Phoenix Park Hotel and Hotel George, will soon sprout a 165,000-s.f. office building (pictured), once developer Boston Properties selects a contractor. The 10-story building is being constructed for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) who will purchase the land from Boston Properties just prior to the onset of construction. The College's Board of Regents is purchasing the site and constructing the building to house its growing Washington, DC staff and to create a more visible presence for the surgical profession.

BP has been accepting construction bids since the RFP was issued on November 19th, and will continue to take offers until January 24 - although a list of General Contractors allowed to make an offer has been limited to Clark, Bovis Lend Lease and Balfour Beatty. Subcontractors are still being encouraged to take bidding positions with the big three. Although the final exterior design is essentially complete, according to inside sources, though ACS is still making nips and tucks to the interior design.

Currently, the plan involves the construction of an office building with amenities such as a two-story atrium lobby, a first floor fitness and conference center and, more uniquely, a rooftop deck. Not to mention being just stumbling distance from the Irish Times. On the whole, the building is said to be the ultimate "gathering space," full of luxury amenities and a Hill location, but not LEED certification. The surgeons and affiliated organizations will operate on the 3rd and 10th floors, or about 35,000 s.f.; the remaining 120,000 s.f. of leasable space is currently available. The estimated ground-breaking date is this May.

Eastern Market Rehab to Begin Soon

Bids have closed on a project that will revitalize Eastern Market at 255 7th Street SE, confirming Mayor Fenty's promises to rebuild more than six months ago. The Office of Contracting and Procurement received a total of five bids ranging in price from $7.5 million to $11.5 million and expects to finish due diligence on the final contract just after the new year, when the award package will then travel to the Office of the Attorney General for review. A hierarchy of approvals, on average a 15-day process, will commence at that point, after which time the DC Council will have 10 days to approve the contract. Although no sources were willing to give a timeline for reconstruction of the historic flame-gutted market, it has been estimated that efforts would begin as early as January.

The three alarm fire caused an estimated $20 million in damage to the 134-year old building on April 30 2007, the same day the Georgetown Library burnt down, requiring more than 150 firefighters to quell the destruction. The market, designed by Adolf Cluss (the architect behind the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building), had been in constant operation until that fateful Monday morning in April. The fire destroyed most of the South Hall, where the vendor's stalls were housed, and destroyed the roof above. Vendors have since been moved to a temporary location across the street, until the South Hall can be returned to its former glory.

A Notice to Proceed - the governments nod to begin construction - will be given shortly after the council approves (hopefully in January). Once the thumbs up is given, contractors will have a maximum of 400 days to complete the project. If all goes according to plan, we should have the historic structure back in action by Spring of 2009.

"What's Happening on East Capitol Street Near RFK?"

In response to the throngs of rabid dcmud readers (of course, throng in the blog-based community being a few dedicated, astute readers) asking "what's the deal?" with a possible development site along East Capitol Street near RFK, we decided to take our jalopy down there to report back our findings. It appears that developer Comstock East Capitol LLC has some plans in store for 1705-1729 East Capitol Street SE, the site of a vacant, 80-unit apartment building (pictured) bounded by East Capitol Street SE to the north, 18th Street SE to the east, A Street SE to the south, and 17th Street SE to the west. The 42,629-total sf plot is directly across the street from Eastern High School and just blocks to the Stadium-Amory Metro and RFK. Comstock’s consolidated planned unit development (PUD) proposal indicates the company plans to demolish the abandoned structure and build a new five-story, 134-unit apartment building (11 being affordable housing), with a garage holding 113 parking spots. The developer has submitted an application to the DC Zoning Commission to upzone the property density to allow its project (the parcel is currently zoned R-4, but Comstock will need R-5 zoning to build at its proposed size). Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A (ANC6A) originally went on record as opposing the zoning application for this project (in a 6-0 vote), noting that the size of the project was not in line with this residential neighborhood, as well as what it felt was an insufficient number of designated affordable units (it would like to see 20 percent (at least 26 units) be affordable housing). However, there is indication that the Commission is developing a working relationship agreement with Comstock where the developer will work with the Commission on ensuring the community’s voice is heard with the project, plus a possible donation by Comstock to Eastern High School and Eliot Junior High to improve their athletic fields. The public hearing on the zoning request has been repeatedly delayed, most recently the June 18 meeting. We will keep you up to date as we learn the fate of this project, and of course, please send any tidbits you have (or correct us) on any project you see in your neck of the woods!
(h/t on this story to commenter mr. x)

Capitol Square to Begin Taking Reservations This Weekend

On Saturday, May 13, Capitol Square, a 24-unit condominium conversation Capitol Hill at 1520 Independence Ave., SE, will begin taking reservations for its units. Of course, nothing in life is free, including having the right to spend a lot of money on a new home - to reserve a unit, you will need $5,000 plus a pre-approval letter from a lender (you can leave your first-born home). But, on the bright side, they will be bribing you with shiny objects at this opening, offering flat screen TV's and iPods. One bedroom units are expected to start in the mid-$200s, and two-bedroom units from the low $300s All offer contemporary design and upgrades, and parking is available.