Nothing gets the DC Condo Boutique as excited as the announcement of a new condo project in our Logan Circle neighborhood.  One of the newest Logan projects slated to deliver in the summer of 2012 is Standard Eleven.  This project is being constructed in the space formerly occupied by the Laogai Museum on the block of M Street NW between 11th and 12th.

This three-story development features eleven units with a mix of efficiencies, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Developer finishes include Bosch appliances, maple cabinetry, Waterworks bath fixtures and private outdoor space in selected units.  Common amenities include a shared rooftop space and limited on-site parking.

The Standard Eleven location on M Street offers convenient access to the Mt Vernon Metro Station and all the retail, dining and entertainment venues in the Logan Circle and City Center neighborhoods.  Here is a resource to learn more about the Standard Eleven development.

With the 1500 block of 14th Street in Logan Circle attracting powerhouse brands like Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and TTR Sotheby's International Realty, it was only a matter of time for development to spread southward to the 1400 and 1300 block of 14th Street. While Caribou Coffee was a start, to date there hasn't been a groundswell of development activity on these blocks.

Upstart DC-based developers CAS Riegler have made a mixed-use bet on the former Lionel Train store located 1324 14th Street.  A ground floor restaurant and five upscale condos being marketed as Lionel Lofts are currently under construction as chronicled by Preservation Nation.

Lionel Lofts delivery is targeted for the summer of 2012.  Here is a resource to learn more about Lionel Lofts.

One of the unique characteristics of Washington, DC are the interesting historic districts located throughout the city. The Fourteenth Street Historic District, where our downtown TTR Sotheby's International Realty office is located, is one of the most architecturally interesting historic districts in the city.  The Fourteenth Street area that encompasses the historic district is largely a residential neighborhood that developed around the commercial 14th Street Corridor.  14th Street was home to one of the District's first street car lines that was built to accommodate the major expansion northward of the District following the Civil War.

It is truly a blessing that residents of DC's historic districts take an interest in protecting historically important buildings in these neighborhoods. The Victorian-era row houses that line Logan Circle and the other grand avenues in the neighborhood have remained largely intact for over 100 years.  With the rebirth of the Logan area, many of these beautiful brick structures have been painstakingly restored to their 19th-century grandeur.

If you are interested in exploring home ownership in the Fourteenth Street Historic District, there are several exciting options currently on the market including a flawlessly restored row house located at 1213 O Street NW with 4 BR / 3 BA / 3,453 SF listed for $1.79M and a penthouse duplex condo at the Leumass with 2 BR / 2 BA / 1,428 SF listed for $715,00.  Here is a resource to learn more about and view active Fourteenth Street Historic District real estate listings.

The Alta at Thomas Circle, delivered in 2006 by PN Hoffman, was DC's first LEED Certified residential condo building. From low VOC paints, low-E glass, compact fluorescent lighting, water saving appliances and a wonderful rooftop garden, the Alta set a high standard for green building in the District.

Urban modernism adeptly defines the architecture of the Alta development. The modern building facade features floor to ceiling windows and a rooftop steel pergola which supports climbing plants.  Unique developer interior design elements at the Alta included acrylic privacy panels, aged birch frameless cabinets, brick walls, bamboo flooring, 9-ft exposed concrete ceilings, track lighting and exposed ductwork.

Building amenities include ground-level retail, resident lounge, rooftop terrace with monument views, concierge and underground parking.  The Thomas Circle location of the Alta offers the utmost in convenience to all the venues and attractions in Logan Circle, Downtown and is just three blocks to the McPherson Square Metro Station.

Currently, two condos are for sale at the Alta including a 2 BR / 2 BA / 950 SF unit listed for $699,000 and a 2 BR / 2BA / 900 SF turnkey furnished unit listed for $575,999.  Here is a resource to view all the active Alta at Thomas Circle real estate listings.

As we celebrate President's Day here in the District, it is time to take a look at how the District has chosen to honor some of our past presidents.  Looking past the monuments, DC has honored past presidents with by naming neighborhoods after them including Adams Morgan, Fort Lincoln, Garfield Heights, Lincoln Heights and Washington Highlands. 

Contrary to popular belief, Georgetown was not named after George Washington, but either King George II of England or its founders George Gordon and George Beall.

Over the years, DC developers have honored past presidents by naming condo projects after them.  Here are several DC condo developments that were named to honor one of our nations presidents:

• Adams Alley
• Adams Row
• Adams Station
• The Fillmore
• The Grant
• Jefferson House
• Jefferson Row
• Lincoln Condos
• Lincoln Park Terrace
• Lofts at Adams Morgan
• Rutherford Condos
• Washington Harbour Condos

We would welcome reader input if there others condos honoring presidents that we have omitted.

One of the terms most commonly used by Realtors when marketing a DC Mid-city listing is "Close to Whole Foods." 

In our thinking there are two kinds of close to Whole Foods……one is the spring Sunday afternoon eight-block stroll from U Street……the other is the two over-loaded (reusable) bags of groceries on a cold and blistery January night close.

While Cooper Lewis and the Metropole get the gold star for being on the same block as the P Street Whole Foods, there are several other condo developments that qualify for the two over-loaded (reusable) bags of groceries on a cold and blistery January night close including:

• 1441 Rhode Island
• Berret School Lofts
• Church Place
• Citta 50
• Cooper Lewis
• Lofts 14
• Lofts 14 Two
• Logan Mansions
• Matrix
• Metro
• Metropole
• Q14
• Rainbow Lofts
• Saxon Court

Here is a resource to view all the condo developments and active listings in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

photo courtesy of Flickr user M.V. Jantzen

In the first half of the 20th century before World War II, Washingtonians ventured over to 14th Street in Logan Circle to purchase an automobile.  The grand condo development buildings that line 14th Street and P Street in Logan formerly housed car dealerships.  

One such building located at 1529 14th Street, was formerly a dealership for the long-defunct Nash Motors brand, and is now home to the Matrix condos.  In the 1950s, Nash Motors merged with Hudson Motors to become American Motor Corporation (AMC).  AMC was led by George Romney, father of current Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.  AMC had success in the market with the Rambler brand and later acquired Kaiser Jeep before selling out to Chrysler in 1987.

While you can no longer by a Nash on 14th Street, this former dealership building has been converted into an exciting loft-style building.  Housing 40-units in a six-story structure, the Matrix effortlessly blends its industrial heritage with a complementary array of sleek modern appointments. 

Developer finishes at the Matrix include hardwood flooring in the living room, dining room and kitchen, high 9' to 11' ceilings, concrete accent walls with dark brick banding, HansGrohe faucets, Bosch washer/dryers  and marble/limestone baths.  Selected Matrix units have private outdoor space, a highly coveted option in the 14th Street Corridor. 

Common building amenities include a rooftop terrace with terrific neighborhood views and a contemporary lobby.  Neighborhood hotspots including Whole Foods, Caribou Coffee, Vida Fitness and the entire 14th Street Corridor are just steps from the Matrix.

Currently, one unit is available for sale at the Matrix featuring 1 BR / 1 BA / 788 SF and views of 14th Street for $509,850.  Here is a resource to learn more about and view active Matrix condo listings.

There are not many condo options more sought after than a two bedroom loft on the 1400 block of Church Street in Logan Circle. 

Often described was DC's loft district, Church Street buildings combine the gritty charm of early 20th century industrial buildings with the chic modern finishes of the 21st century.  Church Street is where exposed ductwork, industrial windows and concrete ceilings are purposefully married to sleek European cabinetry, stainless appliances and marble/limestone surfaces.

The 1400 block of Church Street is located in the thick of DC's famed Auto Row which dominated the storefronts of 14th Street in Logan Circle.  Several of the industrial buildings along Church Street provided ancillary repair services to the blossoming automobile industry.  Today, we are fortunate that these industrial-era buildings remained intact through periods of neighborhood decline and unrest including the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Currently, there are three two-bedroom condos for sale in buildings located in the 1400 block of Church Street including a 2 BR / 2 BA / 979 SF unit listed for $689,000 at Saxon Court.  Here is a resource to view all the active listings in the 1400 block of Church Street.  If you need assistance, our TTR Sotheby's office is just around the corner and DC Condo Boutique team members are familiar with all the Church Street active listings.

Located along the tree-lined 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in the heart of Logan Circle, 1441 Rhode Island is a highly sought after condo development.  This location is just steps to Whole Foods, Logan Tavern, Caribou Coffee, Vida Fitness and the entire 14th Street scene.  Commuters can walk to the Red, Orange and Blue Metro lines from 1441 Rhode Island and some units convey with underground deeded parking.

1441 is a full-service condo building with a staffed front desk, 24-hour workout center, club room and a landscaped interior courtyard.  Delivered in 2004, 1441 Rhode Island is a nine-story building with 157 units featuring floor plans ranging from studios to three bedroom configurations.  Some units feature balconies and also have storage space in this pet-friendly building.

Currently one unit is available for sale, a 2 BR /  2 BA / 991 SF listed for $629,900.  Here is a resource to view active 1441 Rhode Island listings.

Combining the development talents of PN Hoffman…..with a prime 14th Street Corridor location…….and the industrial strength of a former C & P Telephone central office looks to sure be a winning formula called the Northern Exchange.

The Northern Exchange is a six-story building with a total of 36 units featuring studio, one bedroom and two bedroom floor plans.  Individual units will feature high ceilings, exposed brick walls, raised loft bedroom areas, Bosch Appliances and Porcelanosa tiled baths.  Building amenities include a rooftop deck, bike storage room, modern lobby and first floor retail.

Delivery is currently targeted for late 2012 and pricing has not yet been released.  Here is a resource to learn more about Northern Exchange real estate.