In a city short of vacant land, the adaptive re-use of obsolete buildings has become the norm for developers.  One of the best transformations in recent years is the Parker Flats at Gage School project located on the border of LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale neighborhoods.  This 92-unit project is anchored by the meticulously restored circa 1904 Gage School which houses 33 loft-style condos.  The project also includes two new buildings designed to complement the historic neighborhood and a 70-space underground parking garage.

Parker Flats developer finishes in many of the Gage School units include exposed brick, 14-foot ceilings, 12-ft historically accurate windows, stainless appliances, granite counters and maple cabinets.  Common amenities include underground parking, fitness room, additional storage units and a fenced courtyard.  The Parker Flats project was designed by Bostra Haresign.

Currently, two units are available for sale at Parker Flats including a 1 BR + den / 1 BA /  871 SF unit listed by TTR Sotheby's International Realty for $389,900.  Here is a resource to learn more about and view active Parker Flats at Gage School real estate listings.

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.

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.

Manhattan urban chic invades the corner of 7th St and E St in the Penn Quarter at the Residences of Terrell Place.  This 29-unit boutique development features the restored facade of the 1868 Dime Savings Bank Building and modern, architecturally unique interiors.  The Residences at Terrell Place prominently features a 10-story glass elevator structure that joins the Dime Savings Bank 10-story building with two four-story row houses.

Residences at Terrell Place interior finishes delivered by the developer in 2003 included hardwood floors, Canac kitchen cabinets, black granite counters, GE Profile stainless steel appliances and over-sized windows.  Open floor plans, high ceilings and lots of glass give individual units a spacious feel.  The dramatic lobby building lobby with a manned front desk provides residents with a true sense of arrival.

Terrell Place is near the top of the charts for convenience in District living.  Walk to the Gallery Place or Navy Memorial/Archives Metro stations, Verizon Center, museums, restaurants, theaters, clubs and the Mall from this location.  Many federal agencies, law firms and other major downtown employers are located within walking distance of this location.

Currently, one unit is listed for sale at the Residences at Terrell Place and features 1 BR / 1 BA and is listed for $515,000.  Here is a resource to view active Residences of Terrell Place real estate listings.

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during December 2011 was in the West End at 22 West, located at 1177 22nd Street NW #9E, Washington DC.  This 3 BR / 3 BA / 2,790 SF condo includes two parking spaces and a roof terrace.  The selling price was $2,653,500 / $951 SF which was 100% of asking price.

Congratulations to Bill Hounshell of TTR Sotheby's International Realty for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in December 2011.

If you are considering a DC loft, a visit to listings on Church Street should be part of your home search due diligence. To assist in your analysis of the market, here are the sales year-to-date at the six developments in the 1400 block of Church Street:

To help in your search for a Church Street condo or loft, we have created a resource which consolidates all the active 1400 block Church Street real estate listings. Our office is just around the corner from Church Street and our team is intimately familiar with and ready to assist in looking at Church Street options.

Washingtonians looking for a sophisticated, yet hip condo in the 14th Street Corridor should definitely take a look at Union Row.  This project, developed by PN Hoffman includes both the Flats at Union Row and the Warehouses at Union Row. The Flats is a new construction 8-story building with 216 condos and the Warehouses features the re-development of two existing warehouse structures into 52 townhouse style condos.

PN Hoffman left the cookie cutter back at the office when they developed Union Row. The development has unique and visually interesting architectural features and the individual units units have a diverse array of floor plans.  This is not a seen one unit…..seen them all kind of place.

The re-sale market has been strong at Union Row with ongoing high demand for this project.  Currently, three units are listed for sale including a 1 BR + den/ 2 BA with 920 SF listed for $490,000, a 2 BR / 1BA with 910 SF listed for $569,000 and a 2 BR /  2 BA with 1,246 SF listed for $699,000.  Union Row is an FHA approved development.  Here is a resource to view active Union Row real estate listings.

While the Sonata condo development in Mount Vernon Triangle shares a name with a Hyundai sedan, this building is all Lexus!  Building amenities are first class including a fitness center, rooftop with great city views, underground parking and a luxurious lobby.

The Sonata features loft-style units with industrial touches including open living spaces, high concrete ceilings and exposed ductwork.  Upscale unit finishes include hardwood floors, granite countertops, high-end cabinetry, walls of windows and oversized closets.  The 12-story Sonata has 75 units in one, two and three bedroom floor plans including eight penthouse units.

The Mount Vernon Triangle location of the Sonata weighs in with a WalkScore of 97/100, a true walker's paradise.  Four Metro Stations are within walking distance as are the venues at City Vista, Union Station, Gallery Place and Chinatown.  The Sonata is on the Circulator Bus route and is real close to the entrance to 395 for outbound commuters.

Currently, five units are for sale at the Sonata ranging in price from $319,000 for a 1 BR / 1 BA with 600 SF to $539,000 for a 2 BR /  2 BA with 1,100 SF plus a private outdoor patio and underground garage parking.  Here is a resource to view active Sonata real estate listings.

Located in the DC's Mid-City loft district on the 1400 block of Church Street, the Metro offers a true city chic living experience.  This seven-story development features 53 industrial-designed lofts.  The Metro was delivered in 2004 by PN Hoffman and was recognized with a Residential Design Award in 2006 by the Washingtonian.

Industrial design elements of the Metro include exposed ductwork, concrete ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plans.  Upscale developer finishes include bamboo floors, maple cabinets, European appliances, and limestone and marble baths. Selected units also have spacious outdoor terraces and balconies.

The Church Street location of the Metro is squarely in the epicenter of Logan Circle neighborhood.  Walk to Whole Foods, Vida Fitness, Studio Theatre, Logan Tavern and the rest of the neighborhood attractions.

Currently, there is one unit for sale at the Metro, a 2 BR / 2BA with 2,024 SF plus a 450 SF outdoor terrace and two parking spaces listed for $1,199,900.  Here is a resource to view active Metro real estate listings.