No this isn’t New Orleans, it’s a house on Logan Circle that is undergoing a little renovation by Monarc Construction. This seems to be one of those deals where the house is for sale and being renovated at the same time. It’s a great location, and the building has a very original look that we like. Though someone should tell them the election is over!
[Photo: DCMetrocentric]
The never ending saga over what to do with the old JC Penny building in Silver Spring continues to hit road block after road block. The idea is to bring a music venue to Silver Spring, but the development project has had trouble from the start. The problems center around the details of the plan negotiated by the County Executive and Lee Development Group, and faces opposition from many in the community and the Planning Board. All the while the property has sat vacant for 18 year on a prime site in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring.
These renderings for the music hall are a little neon for our taste, but the sound bars on the facade, which look like they can change sure are a cool idea! We got word that all parties involved are still in contact so maybe they will be able to come back together and figure something out so the land doesn’t have to sit vacant for another 18 years!
[Rendering: Hickok Cole]
Lots of news in Mt Vernon Triangle lately, first they get the Sexy Safeway, and now Mayor Fenty has announced that the District has finally selected a development team led by the Donohoe to build a 260-room luxury hotel and a London-based jazz club.
We like to think the development teams selection had a little something to do with getting the official DCMetrocentric endorsement back in May! The project is being called “The Arts at 5th and Eye” and centers around a Shalom Baranes Architects designed building (pictured) for a new ME by Melia boutique hotel as well as the Jazz club.
The building will have balconies, a roof terrace that will serve as a “Green Roof”, and of course the rooftop pool! There will be also be 166 apartments 50 of which will be designated as affordable housing. The Zenith Art gallery is also official on-board to take space in the project.
The new development at 1050 K Street is going to have one amazing rooftop. The registered Gold LEED building will have a penthouse art gallery with a bamboo garden and one incredible view. The idea is to create a space that can be used for the buildings occupants, as well as be rented out… 4th of July party anyone?
Art is apparently also going to be a big part of the project with displays throughout the building by leading architectural photographers including local photographer Franz Jantzen.
Check out the full buildings rendering…
There is something about bay windows that we just love, especially when they go beyond function and become an architectural highlight. This bay window on 21st street NW is made entirely of copper and the detailed work is just incredible. By design, bay windows are made to standout, but this one makes the entire house standout.
[Photo: DCMetrocentric]
We just got word from our friends at Washington Fine Properties that the Potomac mansion of Robert Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver is on the block for $11.8 million. Located in the Bradley Farms neighborhood, the 16,000 square foot classical Georgian-styled home sits on nearly seven acres. Those Kennedy’s sure like their compounds!
Everyone needs a new look every now and then… and 1775 on Penn Ave right across from the World Bank is certainly ready for a new look! Prior to being completely gutted, the building’s circular support beams were exposed giving it a very strange factory type look. Of course the new design calls for lots of glass, but the distinctive columns look like they will remain.
Perhaps those columns will help 1775 differentiate itself from the other boxy glass buildings that seem to be eveywhere downtown. [Photo: DCMetrocentric]
Not much has been happening lately at the corner of M and 22nd Street NW. This is the future site of the new eco-hotel line by Starwood Capital we mentioned back in March and short of a little prep-work and the fence, not much has happened.
As you can see the old three story building is still standing on the site. They better get going soon if they expect to finish on schedule. [Photo: DCMetrocentric]
Only a lucky few have space for large decks in this city so most take advantage of them to entertain and decorate with maybe a few plants and most certainly a grill of some sort, but the owners of this deck on S Street right off 19th NW went a little over the top. We think they should win an award, we’re just not sure for what exactly.
That is definitely a deer decoy, an oar, and some type of ski involved in this truly unique decorating style. Another shot of what clearly is a masterpiece after the jump…
File this one under projects that probably won’t be built any time soon, but it’s fun to dream. The design by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects is for the south air rights over the highway that goes underneath L’Enfant plaza.
That area is really lacking residential options and this would help turn the neighborhood around from being a ghost town in the evening when all the federal workers go home for the day. The glass building looks nice doesn’t it? [Rendering: Pelli Clarke Pelli]
Across the street from the new GW residence hall at Square 80 is the famous Foggy Bottom Grocery and it looks like they are in the process of getting a little artistic addition to their exposed brick wall. The exposed support beams you see have been in place since the early 90s when the building next door was demolished but now the wall will have a nice little mural painted on the side and we must say we like what we see!
[Photo: DCMetrocentric]
We walked by Ben’s the other day to grab lunch and here is the sight we were greeted with… a huge line of what looked to be mostly tourists. It seems like getting a quick bite at Ben’s is becoming less and less of a possibility. Hopefully the new space being built next door (center grey building) which the owners describe as “complimentary to the original Chili Bowl” will help thin out the crowds.
The new upscale addition is expected be complete by the end of the year and they hope to have a liquor license. We can’t imagine anything more worth a wait than being able to have a beer with our chili-dog.
[Photo: DCMetrocentric]
With the demolition going on to make way for the new PNC Place at 17th and H Street, the developers have put up some nice informative banners around the construction site which explain some of the buildings green technologies.
One of the most interesting features of the new building designed by Gensler Architects is the “eco lobby” with a three-story climate wall, which is helpfully depicted by one of the signs. Looks like this is going to be one cool building!
Another one of the signs which playfully explains the green roof after the jump…
Construction work continues at the historic Blaine Mansion in Dupont. This building is one of the last remaining large Mansions that once completely surrounded Dupont Circle during the beginning of the 1900s. In addition to the underground parking deck being added by Eichberg Construction, the new space for Pizza Paradiso is beginning to take shape and their liquor license might not be that far away either.
[Photo: DCMetrocentric]
