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Thursday, May 11, 2006
Rehabbed Property along North Capitol Street in DC
That property looks real nice on the outside. Are those apartments or condos?
David...I wouldn't use that word "gentrification" again. Some poster like Ben from 5th and H, NE might go ballistic. He's the yuppie white guy from the "American Left" who moved into DC to "save" the neighborhood from drugs and prostitution. Gee, how noble of him. Little does he realize that his nobility is driving out lower and middle black families from the District. I can't wait for Round 2 with that guy.
I wouldn't say gentrified. More like uglified. That thing is near two other townhouses on steriods that look out of place and fugly. Of course, that's just my opinion. But even these buttfugly buildings don't make me want to be in an Historic District.
Well Mari, I think the underlying theme of this post is: "Suburban white guy from Maryland DRIVES through "bad" neighborhood within view of the US Capitol Dome and thus can speak knowledgeably about life in DC."
And the "knowledge" is: "Everybody knows that DC is a hellhole, thats why I live amongst my own kind in the outlying areas."
Hey David, get out of your car and walk, then post pictures here of your pedestrian journey through the heart of your nation's captial. Triple bonus points for photos taken after sunset. Got the 'nads?
I know the city in and out. I do walk the streets of DC as well. I have been to some of the worst neighborhoods in the city. Yes, I have walked in parts of DC after dark.
"And the "knowledge" is: "Everybody knows that DC is a hellhole, thats why I live amongst my own kind in the outlying areas." "
I do not believe this for one second. There are so many great things in DC. :-)
Thanks for the clarification. I'd still like to see after-dark non-car-based photos posted from the area in NE where "Yuppies Out" graffiti was sprayed, or of this building on NorthCap. Walking around the Lincoln Memorial or even Adam's Morgan at midnight doesn't count. :-)
This is going to sound off the wall, but: the last thing DC needs is more cars, especially those of the "MD" and "VA" variety. Please consider taking the train if it is an option.
Anyone: Drive downtown this coming Memorial Day weekend to get a full appreciation for what I'm talking about re: cars in DC.
"This is going to sound off the wall, but: the last thing DC needs is more cars, especially those of the "MD" and "VA" variety. Please consider taking the train if it is an option."
The vast majority of days I do take the metro. :-)
I will have more pictures from different neighborhoods of DC.
I used to drive down NY Ave to get to 395 southbound and there was a small angular block that had a row of large, amazing townhouses. I'm guessing early 1900's construction. They were run down but I always thought it would be a great fixer upper project. Then you would have large, amazing, and beautiful townhouses.
These look like some of the townhouses in that very same area. The picture is a little grainy but that looks like painted brick. And the style is nicer than anything I've seen put up in the last 8 years. I can see thinking the color is a little gawdy but these look like nice townhomes to me.
This pic was taken while Southbound on North Cap, descending into the tunnel under NY Ave. Looks to me like David was in the passenger seat, and the car wasn't moving very fast.
These building will be retail and restaurants. This is about 1 mile from the United State Capitol campus (walking distance for the non-sedentary) - the Capitol Dome is a dominant feature in the streetscape there. Higher floors and rooftop decks on these building will have commanding views of the entire city. These buildings have been woefully undervalued for decades. If I recall correctly, a development team purchased *This entire block* for about $1M.
XM Satellite Radio is headquartered just to the left of this location; as will be the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. (still under construction.) At a minimum, employees at these locations will enjoy a nice place to walk to for lunch. The man who established and owns Cafe St. Ex and Bar Pilar is opening a higher-end restaurant on North Cap in this area. It will be called EC-12 and will be located in the rehabbed 19th Century firehouse: Engine Company 12. There will be a live performance venue there, operated in conjunction with XM Satellite Radio.
yeah, its gonna be horrible for long term property owners with long time horizons.
This is what homes in this and surrounding neighborhoods look like. I suggest walking around north of FL Ave between North Cap and 4th St. NW. Especially 1st St. NW north of RI Ave.
I think gentrification is a good thing if the residents moving out are owners, which is frequently the case. The overwhelming majority of people in this country want to live in the suburbs when they have kids.
Compared to when I was growing up in this area in the 80's, DC is like a theme park. You could maybe call it "UrbanLand".
And I think some of the opposition to gentrification is from white people who would be sad to see the ethnic "characters" leave the park.
Another gorgeous stretch that I've walked around a bit is East Capitol Street. I had friends rent a group house between 10th and 11th (I think that's Lincoln Park right there?), late 1990's.
Absolutely gorgeous townhouse. 3 stories plus a basement. A large staircase connecting floors 1,2 and 3 that was likely wider than some of the crap townhomes developers are building now. Vaulted ceilings that were at least 10-12 feet high. Real wood moldings around the ceiling.
Their experience was, don't walk alone at night, and presume your car will get broken into every so often, but otherwise, it was a great place to live if you worked downtown.
The illegal drug trade in the capital of the United States is strong but it has dwindled a great deal compared to the 80s and even the mid-90s. Staying out of the drug trade (as a user, supplier, mule, middleman, whatever) will prevent 98% of the problems you might otherwise encounter while living in DC (homicide, drug addition, prostitution, etc.). However, someone looking for fast cash to get their next fix will indeed smash your car window if they can see anything of value. (Living car-free in DC is possible, but much more difficult than it is in NYC.)
I think part of my challenge about walking around at night is to dispell the misconception that it is unsafe. It came as a surprise to me; in my own experience. (your mileage may vary)
Eastern Loudoun County has been developed very poorly. In addition to all the poor planning already mentioned, it is relevant to point out that Sterling has an active gang subculture, bank robberies aren't unheard of in Ashburn, and murder does in fact occur in that "nice" suburban place. Add the fact that everyone is isolated in their cars whenever they go anywhere, and you end up with one heck of an anti-social environment; Loudoun county.
yeah, because everyone knows the economy in DC isn't diverse enough to to survive the collapse of one business. I'm thinking "Roger & Me, Part II".
A tiny little broadcast conglomerate called "Radio One" is building its new headquarters near the Green Line in a nearby neighborhood called Shaw. It is moving INTO the city after construction is complete. I hope they don't change their mind if XM's next quarterly report looks weaker than anticipated.... 'cause everything hinges on XM. (that was dripping with sarcasm in case anyone missed it)
That property looks real nice on the outside. Are those apartments or condos?
ReplyDeleteDavid...I wouldn't use that word "gentrification" again. Some poster like Ben from 5th and H, NE might go ballistic. He's the yuppie white guy from the "American Left" who moved into DC to "save" the neighborhood from drugs and prostitution. Gee, how noble of him. Little does he realize that his nobility is driving out lower and middle black families from the District. I can't wait for Round 2 with that guy.
Let round 2 begin. LOL!
ReplyDelete" That property looks real nice on the outside. Are those apartments or condos? "
ReplyDeleteNot sure.
I wouldn't say gentrified. More like uglified. That thing is near two other townhouses on steriods that look out of place and fugly. Of course, that's just my opinion. But even these buttfugly buildings don't make me want to be in an Historic District.
ReplyDelete"That thing is near two other townhouses on steriods that look out of place and fugly. "
ReplyDeleteAgreed. :-(
Is that plywood I see? Maybe someone broke in to have a little look around. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWell Mari, I think the underlying theme of this post is: "Suburban white guy from Maryland DRIVES through "bad" neighborhood within view of the US Capitol Dome and thus can speak knowledgeably about life in DC."
ReplyDeleteAnd the "knowledge" is: "Everybody knows that DC is a hellhole, thats why I live amongst my own kind in the outlying areas."
Hey David, get out of your car and walk, then post pictures here of your pedestrian journey through the heart of your nation's captial. Triple bonus points for photos taken after sunset. Got the 'nads?
bryce. IN DC.
bryce,
ReplyDeleteI know the city in and out. I do walk the streets of DC as well. I have been to some of the worst neighborhoods in the city. Yes, I have walked in parts of DC after dark.
"And the "knowledge" is: "Everybody knows that DC is a hellhole, thats why I live amongst my own kind in the outlying areas."
"
I do not believe this for one second. There are so many great things in DC. :-)
Thanks for the clarification. I'd still like to see after-dark non-car-based photos posted from the area in NE where "Yuppies Out" graffiti was sprayed, or of this building on NorthCap. Walking around the Lincoln Memorial or even Adam's Morgan at midnight doesn't count. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is going to sound off the wall, but: the last thing DC needs is more cars, especially those of the "MD" and "VA" variety. Please consider taking the train if it is an option.
Anyone: Drive downtown this coming Memorial Day weekend to get a full appreciation for what I'm talking about re: cars in DC.
bryce
"This is going to sound off the wall, but: the last thing DC needs is more cars, especially those of the "MD" and "VA" variety. Please consider taking the train if it is an option."
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of days I do take the metro. :-)
I will have more pictures from different neighborhoods of DC.
"Little does he realize that his nobility is driving out lower and middle black families from the District"
ReplyDeleteThe house that he is rehabbing was probably originally owned by a lower or middle class Italin or Irish family.
I think he should do the right thing and look up the decendents of the original owners, and give the house back to them.
bryce
I used to drive down NY Ave to get to 395 southbound and there was a small angular block that had a row of large, amazing townhouses. I'm guessing early 1900's construction. They were run down but I always thought it would be a great fixer upper project. Then you would have large, amazing, and beautiful townhouses.
ReplyDeleteThese look like some of the townhouses in that very same area. The picture is a little grainy but that looks like painted brick. And the style is nicer than anything I've seen put up in the last 8 years. I can see thinking the color is a little gawdy but these look like nice townhomes to me.
My $0.02.
This pic was taken while Southbound on North Cap, descending into the tunnel under NY Ave. Looks to me like David was in the passenger seat, and the car wasn't moving very fast.
ReplyDeleteThese building will be retail and restaurants. This is about 1 mile from the United State Capitol campus (walking distance for the non-sedentary) - the Capitol Dome is a dominant feature in the streetscape there. Higher floors and rooftop decks on these building will have commanding views of the entire city. These buildings have been woefully undervalued for decades. If I recall correctly, a development team purchased *This entire block* for about $1M.
XM Satellite Radio is headquartered just to the left of this location; as will be the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. (still under construction.) At a minimum, employees at these locations will enjoy a nice place to walk to for lunch. The man who established and owns Cafe St. Ex and Bar Pilar is opening a higher-end restaurant on North Cap in this area. It will be called EC-12 and will be located in the rehabbed 19th Century firehouse: Engine Company 12. There will be a live performance venue there, operated in conjunction with XM Satellite Radio.
yeah, its gonna be horrible for long term property owners with long time horizons.
bryce
David, .02, et al,
ReplyDeleteThis is what homes in this and surrounding neighborhoods look like. I suggest walking around north of FL Ave between North Cap and 4th St. NW. Especially 1st St. NW north of RI Ave.
http://tinyurl.com/m54ed
bryce
architectually it is a charmer
ReplyDeleteIf XM stays in business, that is.
ReplyDeleteI think gentrification is a good thing if the residents moving out are owners, which is frequently the case. The overwhelming majority of people in this country want to live in the suburbs when they have kids.
ReplyDeleteCompared to when I was growing up in this area in the 80's, DC is like a theme park. You could maybe call it "UrbanLand".
And I think some of the opposition to gentrification is from white people who would be sad to see the ethnic "characters" leave the park.
Bryce,
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous stretch that I've walked around a bit is East Capitol Street. I had friends rent a group house between 10th and 11th (I think that's Lincoln Park right there?), late 1990's.
Absolutely gorgeous townhouse. 3 stories plus a basement. A large staircase connecting floors 1,2 and 3 that was likely wider than some of the crap townhomes developers are building now. Vaulted ceilings that were at least 10-12 feet high. Real wood moldings around the ceiling.
Their experience was, don't walk alone at night, and presume your car will get broken into every so often, but otherwise, it was a great place to live if you worked downtown.
My $0.02.
The illegal drug trade in the capital of the United States is strong but it has dwindled a great deal compared to the 80s and even the mid-90s. Staying out of the drug trade (as a user, supplier, mule, middleman, whatever) will prevent 98% of the problems you might otherwise encounter while living in DC (homicide, drug addition, prostitution, etc.). However, someone looking for fast cash to get their next fix will indeed smash your car window if they can see anything of value. (Living car-free in DC is possible, but much more difficult than it is in NYC.)
ReplyDeleteI think part of my challenge about walking around at night is to dispell the misconception that it is unsafe. It came as a surprise to me; in my own experience. (your mileage may vary)
Eastern Loudoun County has been developed very poorly. In addition to all the poor planning already mentioned, it is relevant to point out that Sterling has an active gang subculture, bank robberies aren't unheard of in Ashburn, and murder does in fact occur in that "nice" suburban place. Add the fact that everyone is isolated in their cars whenever they go anywhere, and you end up with one heck of an anti-social environment; Loudoun county.
bryce
"If XM stays in business, that is."
ReplyDeleteyeah, because everyone knows the economy in DC isn't diverse enough to to survive the collapse of one business. I'm thinking "Roger & Me, Part II".
A tiny little broadcast conglomerate called "Radio One" is building its new headquarters near the Green Line in a nearby neighborhood called Shaw. It is moving INTO the city after construction is complete. I hope they don't change their mind if XM's next quarterly report looks weaker than anticipated.... 'cause everything hinges on XM. (that was dripping with sarcasm in case anyone missed it)
bryce
This Condo is located just a couple of blocks north of the Sursum Corda housing project. Anyone know what is being done to improve that area?
ReplyDelete