The Louis at 14 and BakeHouse come together to celebrate Pink Day. (Luis Gomez Photos)
I am sure you are wondering what this is about. Well, it is all about fun and wearing pink. Celebrate the color pink. This Sunday, June 23, The Louis at 14 and BakeHouse are all about pink they are coming together to give away free pink cupcakes and lollipops on the pinkest day of the year.
Yes, it is a fun neighborhood event, although it is a National Day. (Yes, the Louis at 14 is the JBG Cos. huge project at the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW.)
Sunday, “Like” the Louis at 14 on their Facebook page, get a secret code and head on to BakeHouse (1407 T Street NW) to get your choice of free cupcake or lollipop. Dress up in pink, make it fun, get your picture taken and be part of the Louis at 14 photo gallery.
Crane tower at the Louis removed this past weekend. (Luis Gomez Photos)
This past weekend JBG removed the tower crane from the Louis project at 14th and U NW — although the complex is far from done. Construction on the Louis started a year ago and reached the top floor about two weeks ago. As JBG Cos. begins work on the facade, installation of a covered walkway for pedestrians gets under way.
The historic façade of what used to be El Paraiso Restaurant has now been supported and façade restoration work is underway. Brick and window installation for the buildings will be well underway by the end of the month. The Louis project is on schedule, according to JBG Cos., and they hope to finish the entire project by the end of 2013.
The Louis will have nine floors (seven floors on the southern end of the 14th Street side) and 268 rental units, with a mix of floor plans that runs from studio apartments up to two-bedroom units — and several penthouse units on the top level. The three-level underground parking garage will have 40 spaces for retail customers and 110 spaces for residential renter.
Topping off the entire building will be a pool. The Louis has already secured some tenants for its retail space: Trader Joe’s, The Wydown Coffee Bar and Tico from Chef Michael Schlow.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Construction at the Louis. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Construction on the Louis at 14th and U streets NW has kicked into high gear.
The building, designed by architect Eric Colbert & Associates, will feature 268 luxury apartment units (a mix of studio, one- and two-bedrooms) and approximately 42,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. In addition, the Louis will have an underground parking garage with 148 spaces.
The developer, JBG Cos., released some updates on the mixed-use development and here are the details:
- The concrete is up to the fifth floor, and the developers expect the structure to top out around the first week of April.
- Work on the skin of the building will begin this month.
- Electric Vaults are being installed. Developers expect permanent power to the property in May.
- Plumbing has begun in the garage levels and will begin on the above grade levels this month.
- Interior masonry has started in the garage.
Louis is scheduled to be completed by December 2013 and will also feature a rooftop terrace with grilling stations, fire pits, lounge-style seating, an outdoor movie theater, a pool, a spa-quality fitness center with a yoga room and a business center with meeting space.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
Trader Joe’s will open on the 1900 block of 14th Street NW in the Louis complex. (Luis Gomez Photos)
After about two years of speculation and rumors — ever since JBG Cos. announced their plans for the Louis residential-retail complex at the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW — The Washington Post reported Sunday that a Trader Joe’s grocery store will open in the complex.
The grocery store chain will open its second DC location on the 1900 block of 14th Street NW. There is a mini-Trader Joe’s in Foggy Bottom at 1101 25th Street NW. The chain has six other stores in the DC metro area. The chain has what some might call a near cult-like following — due in part to “Two-Buck Chuck” is the nickname given to the Charles Shaw Wines sold at Trader Joe’s at low prices.
The Louis complex started in February with demolition, and the last tenants left the site a few months ago. The building, developed by JBG Companies, will include 267 apartment units in nine floors, as well as 30,000-square feet of street-level retail. The expected completion date is December 2013.
At present the closest grocery stores in the area are YES! Organic at 2123 14th Street NW and the Best DC Supermarket at 1507 U Street NW.
Will Harris Teeter Follow?
The same Washington Post article reported, “A few blocks northeast of that project, JBG and its retail arm, JBG Rosenfeld, have lined up a commitment from another grocer, Harris Teeter, but it will require winning the rights to some city-owned property on Sherman Avenue.” The possible site for a second Harris Teeter grocery store in DC would be where V Street, Sherman Avenue and Florida Avenue NW connect.
Given the huge population gains in recent years in the Logan, U Street and southern part of Columbia Heights, you have to ask, “What took so long to get more grocery stores in the area?”
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
The apartment building on 14th Street NW from S to Swann Streets is almost ready. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email at Tom[AT]borderstan.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Tomonswann.
The long anticipated development at 14th and S Streets NW is nearing completion and the developer expects it to be ready for occupancy this fall. The residential-commercial project, named The District, includes a historic building that was the former home of the Whitman Walker Clinic. The project is the largest residential building to become available on the stretch of 14th Street between U Street and Thomas Circle.
A sign over the construction entrance in the alley between Swann and S Streets indicates the project is 65 days away from the first tenant move-in. James Nozar of JBG Companies, the developer of the project along with Grosvenor, confirmed that the sign is accurate. Nozar told Borderstan, “Floors would be ready at a rate of one floor per week, so the total building will be complete on Dec 3rd.” They expect to start taking rental reservations in early October when pricing will be released.
At the time of the 2010 groundbreaking the project was conceived as a high-end condominium project. About a year later the developers of the project changed course and announced that the building would be marketed as a boutique apartment building. The seven story building will have 125 apartments with ground floor retail.
Two restaurants have already announced plans for the prime location. Ted’s Bulletin is going to occupy the space at the corner of 14th and Swann Streets and an Asian concept restaurant by Mark Kuller — who conceived Estadio down the street at 14th and Church Streets — will take the space at the corner of 14th and S Streets. The same owners of Ted’s Bulletin will be opening another location of famed pizza/ pasta/wine bar Matchbox at the northwest corner of 14th and T Streets NW.
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
The JBG Cos. has announced a proposal for a $600,000 community benefits package that will accompany it’s upcoming residential-retail complex at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW.
The residential-retail complex coming to 13th and NW. (Courtesy JBG Cos.)
Representatives from JBG discussed the benefits package with community members at an open meeting on August 23. Until earlier this year, JBG was considering a hotel for the site, which was met with community resistance
The JBG Cos. is also the leading developer on the Louis at 14th and U as well as other projects in the area, including The District apartments at 14th and S, an unnamed project at 8th and Florida NW and another planned for the “Atlantic Plumbing” lots near the 9:30 Club.
Use of Funds
JBG recently enlisted a task force of various community members to help develop a plan for the distribution of the funds. The benefits will “deliver” when JBG gets its certificate of occupancy for the site.
- Mitigate construction impacts to neighbors, $100,000: This allowance would help the neighbors on the north side of Wallach Place (immediately behind the project) improve their fences or garage doors and provide 24/7 access to the alley during construction.
- Provide public space improvements, $50,000: To be used for improving the street-scape along 13th Street NW (between U Street and the alley) and the plaza at the Starbucks on the southeast corner of 13th and U Streets.
- Mitigate traffic and parking impacts on the existing neighborhood, $125,000: This money will be spent on creating a management plan to asses the impact of the development on neighborhood parking and traffic. This allotment will also be used to offer Metro, Zipcar and/or Capital Bikeshare benefits to building residents and to potentially fund a Capital Bikeshare station at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW.
- Fund community education and/or recreational facilities and programs: $250,000: The largest component of the package will go towards funding new equipment and improvements at the Harrison Recreation Center, funding after-school programs through local nonprofits, offsetting the budget shortfall at Meridian Public Charter School, renovating the field at Garrison Elementary and providing improvements at St. Augustine School.
- Assist in the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID), $75,000.
- In addition to the $600,000 in benefits listed above, the building will dedicate 9 percent of the units as affordable housing.
Stay tuned to Borderstan.com for more information and further developments on the proposed funding.
A rendering of the luxury apartment building, Louis, at 14th and U NW. Construction is scheduled to finish in December 2013. (Courtesy of JBG Cos.)
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com
The sound of constant construction has become standard (dare I even say, somewhat soothing) along 14th Street NW. But don’t get too used to it. In just 17 months, the construction on the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW (the site of the future Louis luxury apartment building) will be completed.
I know, December 2013 is pretty far away. But here’s the progress you can expect to see this coming month:
- Demolition of the back half of the structure will begin, as the last of the current occupants vacate.
- The tower crane will be installed at the construction site.
- Sheeting and shoring will be completed.
Construction on the Louis apartment building started in February 2012 with demolition. The building, developed by JBG Companies, will include 267 apartment units in nine floors, as well as 30,000-square feet of street-level retail.
Construction at the Louis, southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com
You’ve walked by the construction numerous times on your way to yoga, out to dinner and even en route to late night drinks. And yet, you have no idea what lies behind the dirt and crane abyss at the intersection of 14th and U Streets NW.
Well, my friends, that construction lot is the site of a new luxury apartment complex. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. (See Plans Unveiled for the Louis at 14th/U; Will Remake Famous Corner.)
The Louis, which is expected to be completed in December 2013 by JBG Cos., is currently in the initial stages of development. As of now, the initial excavation, street level demolition and the preliminary foundation work is complete.
So what can we expect these next few months? In early-to-mid July, the tower crane foundation will be installed to allow concrete foundations to begin by August 1st. And in August, the development company will begin selective demolitions of nearby U Street properties.
For more information, stay tuned to Borderstan or register for updates on the complex’s website.
Like Borderstan’s News stories? Get an RSS Feed for the News Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
Architect's rendering of the proposed residential-retail complex at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW. (Courtesy JBG Cos.)
From Alden Leonard. Contact him at alden[AT]borderstan.com and follow him @aldenleonard on Twitter.
Heads up for those interested in what’s going on with U Street’s next big development!
Tomorrow night, Washington developer JBG Cos. will host a meeting to discuss their proposed design for the development at 13th and U Street NW. The meeting will begin at 7 pm at Cork Market on 14th Street NW. JBG Cos. is asking for community feedback before their meeting with the ANC’ 1B’s design review committee on June 18.
The developer’s original plans were for a hotel, but that concept was met with opposition from area residents. Instead, the southeast corner of 13th and U will be a residential-retail complex. (See No Hotel for 13th and U, Project Will Be Residential Says JBG.) JBG Cos. is also the main developer of the Louis at the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW; demolition work has been completed and digging is underway.
The Details
- Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 13
- Time: 7 to 9 pm
- What: Design, focusing on JBG’s application to the Historic Preservation Review Board
- Location: Tasting Room above Cork Market at 1720 14th St NW (just north of S Street)
Get an RSS Feed for the Business Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
On July 1, DC Noodles will close for one year while work gets underway on JBG's Louis residential-commercial complex at 14th and U Streets NW. When owner Sak Pollert reopens he will use the space occupied by Stem to increase the size of the restaurant. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos on Picplz and at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos.
The popular U Street eatery DC Noodles will close for one year on July 1 as construction on the huge JBG Cos. project, the Louis, takes off at the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW. According to DC Noodles owner Sak Pollert, the restaurant has a tentative reopening date of July 1, 2013. Pollert also owns the next-door boutique, Stem, which will not reopen next year. (See Plans Unveiled for the Louis at 14th/U; Will Remake Famous Corner.)
“We will use the Stem space to increase the size of DC Noodles,” Pollert said. He also owns Rice Restaurant on 14th Street NW. Pollert said Stem’s closing sale begins Tuesday, with 40% to 60% off all merchandise. The two businesses are at 1412 U Street NW.
Utopia has already temporarily closed their doors due to construction work on the Louis. The 24/7 coffee shop has relocated to the northwest corner of 15th and U Streets NW under the name Mediterranean (former site of Love Cafe). However, Coppi’s Organic Restaurant will be able to stay open during the work. Certain buildings with historic facades, including the former El Paraiso restaurant building on 14th, the McDonald’s at the corner, and the stretch of buildings on U Street — the former 24/7, DC Noodles/Stem, Coppi’s Organic and Utopia — are being preserved and incorporated into the Louis complex.
DC Noodles Menu at Rice
Pollert said that beginning July 1 the DC Noodles menu will be available at selected times at Rice, 1608 14th Street NW. “The DC Noodles menu will be available at Rice every day for lunch, and Sunday through Thursday for dinner,” said Pollert.
“We are looking forward to reopening DC Noodles next year. We love being a part of the U Street community,” said Pollert.
The Louis will have nine floors (seven floors on the southern end of the 14th Street side) and 268 rental units, with a mix of floor plans that includes studio apartments up to two-bedroom units –and several penthouse units on the top floor. The three-level underground parking garage will have 40 spaces for retail customers and 110 units for tenants of the rental building.
Like reading Borderstan’s Food & Drink stories? Get an RSS Feed for the F&E Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
JBG Cos. plans for developing Florida Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets NW are on the Thursday night agenda of the U Street Neighborhood Association. (Luis Gomez Photos).
The monthly meeting of the U Street Neighborhood Association is tonight, May 10, at the Third District Police Station community room at 7 pm.
On the Agenda
- DDOT will give updates on the U Street streetscape project.
- The DC Office of Planning will provide an overview of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process.
- JBG Cos. will have updates and will describe the variances they are requesting for the project at Florida Avenue and 8th Street NW. (See Feb. 2: ANC 1B Takes Closer Look at Florida Avenue Development.)
- Hiba Abdallah will talk about a facility planned to be built at 9th and S Streets NW for people aging out of the foster care system.
- Zahir Rahimi (owner of Mila at 2015 14th Street NW) will present his case for converting his clothing store to a restaurant.
- The U Street Movie Series: Harrison Field Under the Stars. The summer schedule of outdoor films series starts May 23 with The Pelican Brief.
For more details see the agenda at U Street Neighborhood Association website.
About the U Street Neighborhood Association
The boundaries of the U Street Neighborhood Association in Northwest DC are:
- 16th Street to the West
- 8th Street to the East
- S Street to the South and
- Barry Place to Florida Avenue to W Street to the North
Like Borderstan’s News stories? Get an RSS Feed for the News Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
Architect’s rendering of the proposed residential-retail complex at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW. (Courtesy JBG Cos.)
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email at Tom[AT]borderstan.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Tomonswann.
See list of related stories on JBG Cos. projects and development in the area at the bottom of this story.
Nearly 50 people turned out Tuesday evening for a community forum at Busboys & Poets on 14th Street to hear the latest plans for the development at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW. The presentation was by the developer of the project, JBG Cos. and the architect, David M. Schwarz Architects.
Things heated up a few weeks ago when JBG announced at the March meeting of the U Street Neighborhood Association that they were indeed going forward with a plan — originally presented back in 2008 — for a boutique hotel at the site. About a week later information was circulated that suggested a hotel was off the drawing board and the building would instead be residential.
The hotel concept is indeed off the drawing board. JBG’s James Nozar explained that the proposed 250-room hotel would not be financially viable given the pressure from neighbors to reduce the size of the building. JBG is exploring other sites in the area for a hotel.
Not entirely surprising for JBG; the nimble developer has been known to react quickly to market demands. Late last year JBG announced that they were changing course on the 14th and S project and would market the units as luxury apartments rather than condominiums.
History of the Site
The site is a one-story commercial strip built about 20 years ago at the corner of 13th and U. The corner is anchored by the Rite Aid drugstore and sits opposite the Ellington Apartment building. The last storefront impacted on the western end of the site would be Al Crostino restaurant at 1324 U Street NW, which is about mid-block.
The back of the site faces the rear yards of the residential row of two-story townhouses on Wallach Place. James Nozar of JBG, and now a frequent fixture before Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and community groups, started things off with an update on their plans. The hotel concept is indeed off the drawing board. Nozar explained that the proposed 250-room hotel would not be financially viable given the pressure to reduce the size of the building. JBG is exploring other sites in the area for a hotel.
Plans for Residential Building
The residential design presented Tuesday night would have 138 units, 72 underground parking space and ground floor retail. Rite Aid would remain as the primary tenant at the corner. The floor plans would be a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with potential to combine units. No efficiency units are planned. The overall building height would be 90 feet with an 18-foot mechanical penthouse.
Many people inquired about the possibility of an office building for the site; given the need for more daytime foot traffic to support businesses. Apparently the lot dimensions would not allow a floor plan suitable for office suites.
The plan will allow for a 20-foot alley along the rear. David Schwarz, the architect, said the facade of the building will have the same spirit and character of the earlier hotel design, with a few changes to the overall massing. Specifics on the material and color are still being developed. Schwarz explained that the building will have almost have three front facades given the site — U Street, 13th Street and the alley-facing facade, since it would be so visible as you head north on 13th Street.
Residents Wary of Project
Attendees asked pointed questions to the presenters — some barbs were even directed at other attendees. Only a few people asking questions identified where they live, but it was obvious residents from Wallach Place and the adjoining blocks of 13th Street were well represented. Questions were raised about the building’s alley access, planned retail tenants, roof deck and affordability.
Many people inquired about the possibility of an office building for the site; given the need for more daytime foot traffic to support businesses. Apparently the lot dimensions would not allow a floor plan suitable for office suites. There were grumbles of protest when Schwarz suggested that the new building is better than the current uninspired strip of retail with a row of dumpsters along residents rear yards. The new building will have an enclosed loading dock in the rear for deliveries, which only seemed to impress a few people.
Many inquiries concerned zoning variances that JBG will need to proceed, the presenters explained that they will pursue a Planned Unit Development (PUD). for the project. The DC Zoning Commission defines a PUD as “a planning tool which allows a developer greater flexibility in site planning and building design. This flexibility permits the developer to incorporate amenities in the project that exceed those that could have been achieved under the general provisions of the Zoning Regulations.”
Other Nearby projects in Pipeline
Wallach Place residents and nearby community groups went through several rounds of negotiations with another developer over the appearance and size a planned residential building on the stretch of 14th Street between Wallach Place and T Streets NW. Plans were eventually downsized by about 10 units.
The effort and surrounding development in the area even prompted the creation of a new neighborhood blog, U Street Dirt. JBG is embarking on a building frenzy in the blocks surrounding 14th and U. At least five projects are either underway or in the development pipeline: The District apartments at 14th and S, The Louis at 14th and U NW, an unnamed project at 8th and Florida NW, the 13th and U project and another planned for the “Atlantic Plumbing” lots near the 9:30 Club.
The developer will continue to make the rounds of neighborhood meetings and DC agency reviews, and adjust plans to respond to the recommendations.
Like Borderstan’s Business stories? Get an RSS Feed for the Business Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
Related Posts
- JBG Cos. Developing All Around U Street Corridor (Hotel or No Hotel?)
- Plans Unveiled for the Louis at 14th/U; Will Remake Famous Corner
- Feb. 2: ANC 1B Takes Closer Look at Florida Avenue Development
- Developer Changes Course: Rentals Not Condos at 14th & S NW
- U Street Dirt: “NOT Ballston” for 14th & U
- In Pictures: Development Projects Line the 14th Street Corridor
What will JBG Cos. build at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW? (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email at Tom[AT]borderstan.com. You can follow him on Twitter@Tomonswann.
Another one gone: Hunted House departs for H Street NE. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Hunted House Departs for H Street NE
Vintage furniture store Hunted House had their last weekend in the neighborhood after five years at 1830 14th Street, NW. Owner Mark Johnson reports that he will move the store to 510 H Street, NE and plans to open on or just before May 1.
Mimilah Pop-Up Leaving Space Above Miss Pixie’s
Mimilah also announced their last weekend. The pop-up shop was located on the second floor of Miss Pixie’s Collective at 1626 14th Street NW (former site of Mid City Caffe). Owner Lish says fans can like Mimilah on Facebook to keep up-to-date on where you can find her merchandise locally and for information on future pop-up shops. The space above Miss Pixie’s will be the future home of an expanded Body Smith gym.
April 10: JBG forum on 13th and U Project
A few weeks ago it was reported that the dormant plans for development at the southwest corner of 13th and U Streets NW were being revived. Originally slated to be a hotel, more recent information is suggesting rental apartments. Developer JBG Cos. will be hosting a community forum to discuss the “conceptual architectural character” of the building.
At recent neighborhood meetings discussing the project, numerous attendees had serious concerns about the height of the proposed building. JBG is the developer behind several other major projects in the area: The District apartments at 14th and S, The Louis at 14th and U, and an unnamed project at 8th and Florida. The meeting on the 13th and U plans will be held Tuesday, April 10 at 7 pm at Busboys & Poets at 14th and V Streets NW.
Like Borderstan’s Business stories? Get an RSS Feed for the Business Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
Related Posts
Artist rendering of the Louis apartment-retail complex that is just getting underway on the southwest corner of 14th and U Streets NW. (courtesy JBG Cos.)
By Michelle Lancaster. You can follow her and let her know your news on Twitter @MichLancaster. Email her at michellel[AT]borderstan.com.
The real estate developer JBG Cos, has five large projects underway between 14th and S Streets and 7th and Florida Avenue NW. According to the Washington City Paper‘s Housing Complex Blog, all of them are in varying stages of development and approval by various councils and boards.
Among the stalled projects is the unnamed hotel at 13th and U Streets NW, which has been snarled by financing, Rite Aid’s long-term lease and neighborhood concern about the initial design, as well as the Louis project slated for 14th and U Streets NW ($1,500 studios that may come with a ‘limited service grocer’ and all kinds of amenities on the roof). You may have also read Alejandra Owens’ post about about Estadio owner Mark Kuller’s new Asian concept at 14th and S Streets NW.
However, yesterday local blog U Street Dirt had a post yesterday about JBG’s plans for a hotel: “Hotel at 13th and U? Naah. How About Rentals?” The post asked whether JBG is changing its mind about its plans for the spot. Emails to JBG and their spokespersons late yesterday afternoon were not returned. This morning Washington City Paper‘s Housing Complex blog had a piece on the possible switch to rentals from a hotel, with a comment from JGB’s Matthew Blocher that they are essentially still exploring mixed uses for the site. Apparently more info is to come on April 10 at JBG presentation at Busboys & Poets.
Basically, if you’re already concerned about parking in the area, things could very well get much busier in a hurry… or in a bit of time, if we know the local approval processes involved for several of the bigger deliveries. But then again, it also seems that many of the new residents in the area do not own cars. Am I right?
Like Borderstan’s Business stories? Get an RSS Feed for the Business Section, or an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories.
Related Posts
- Bistro Work, U Street Hotel News, National Non-Stops to SF, LA
- Plans Unveiled for the Louis at 14th/U; Will Remake Famous Corner
- Estadio, Proof Owner Bringing Southeast Asian Cuisine to 14th Street
- Feb. 2: ANC 1B Takes Closer Look at Florida Avenue Development
- Developer Changes Course: Rentals Not Condos at 14th & S NW
- In Pictures: Development Projects Line the 14th Street Corridor
Workmen were on site at the northeast corner of 14th and Q Streets NW this morning. (Kevan Marvasti)
Happy Friday, Borderstanis. Here’s a quick update on some items of interest.
Work starts on French Bistro at 14th and Q NW: Workmen are on site this morning at the former laundry location at the northeast corner of 14th and Q Streets NW. A liquor license application was filed in early January by Parc Deux Restaurant Partners, LLC — owners of the popular spot by the same name on Philadelpia’s Rittenhouse Square. However, the name of the new place is still to be determined, according to owner Stephen Starr in a November article in the Washington Business Journal.
U Street Hotel Update: Lydia DePillis at the City Paper‘s Housing Complex blog is brimming with local development news this morning after attending last night’s U Street Neighborhood Association meeting. The big news is that the planned hotel at 13th and U Streets NW (another JBG Cos. project) appears to be finally moving forward, and that an agreement has been reached with the Rite Aid on a temporary location for that store while work is underway.
However, neighbors in the area, particularly on Wallach Place NW (the street just south of that block of U) have raised objections regarding the height of the planned structure — so there is probably a ways to go before a final plan is developed. Check out a 2009 illustration of the planned hotel development on the U Street Neighborhood website.
Nonstop flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco from Washington National: The Washington Business Journal brings us the good news that you will soon be able to fly nonstop from Washington Reagan National Airport to San Francisco (on United) and Los Angeles (on American). You presently have to schlep to either Dulles or BWI to get a nonstop to either city. Of course, the prices will probably match the convenience of flying out National. Oh, yes, Delta is adding a nonstop from National to Salt Lake City, too. (And thanks to the reader who contacted us noting that Alaska Airlines already has a nonstop to LA from National.)
