DC Metrocentric

We guess you get the same discounts when you buy apartments in bulk, that you get when you buy tubs of Spam at Costco. 

According to the WBJ, the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT) has managed to snap up The Kenmore in Northwest DC for a mear $155,000 per unit. 

The building’s 374 apartments were just sold by Smith properties for $58.3 million. That’s practically fire-sale prices, especially considering the building is currently 96% occupied. We suspect this won’t be the last big deal for an apartment building in that area. [Photo: Sea T]

Ok we can see this space as a bar… and a club would really be stretching it… but a theater? Whatever it becomes, they better keep that awesome facade intact. Any ideas for what this area is in need of that this space near Logan Circle could fill?

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

There is one stretch along 21st street near Dupont where the residents truly take pride in the small patch of earth they have in front of their row homes. Almost every house has got some major landscaping action going on, that not only looks great, but also has some very atypical plants like the one pictured.

We know some other streets around town may give 21st NW a run for it’s money, but we think it has to be up there as one of the greatest garden streets in the city. Anywhere else around town that you think shows topiary distinction?

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

According to the National Association of Realtors existing-home sales have managed to hit a five-month high. Existing sales which includes single-family, townhouses, and condominiums jumped 3.1% in July up to 5 million units. The problem is that even though homes are selling again, they are going for 7% less than a year ago.

The interesting thing about the data is that despite overall prices falling, high end homes (like this one in Georgetown) are for the most part holding their value, while average homes are not commanding the prices they once did.

So do you think the high end real estate market will be able to hold out?

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

The common phrase “we’re living like college students” really is starting to not hold true anymore considering all the nice housing options local Universities have been building lately. The Starview in College Park is a newly designed student housing option that has been over 10 years in the making.

We think these ”dorms” looks nicer than most luxury apartment buildings in the area so the students will really be living in style. The building will accomodate 550 students and has plans to have LEED certification including a massive green roof (follow the jump for a rendering) that will be bigger than a football field!

[Credit: RethinkCollegePark]

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When we heard about the complete transformation of downtown Anacostia by Four Points LLC and the Curtis Companies there was only one think we could think of… what’s going to happen to Anacostia’s big chair? Well have no fear, as you can see below… the chair will stay!

The 1.5 million sq-ft of new development along eight blocks of MLK Ave will include housing, retail, a grocery store, as well as a movie theater. AnacostiaNow has some great comparison shots of what the area looks like currently compared to future developments from the PUD application.  [Rendering: Four Points]