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Everything on New Buildings, Contruction, Destruction, Planning, Real Estate, Gossip, Development, and more! 

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Lionsgate Bethesda

Situated on the corner of Old Georgetown Rd & Woodmont Ave and still under construction the Lionsgate Condos sit in wait.

Since the market slow down, the builders have slowed the pace of the build-out in order to save on costs. This slowing down of construction is becoming a prevalent method builders are employing to stretch out when new buildings come to market.

It is understandable that builders with multiple new properties in an area would want to delay bringing properties to market, however this practice leaves those who bought into developments early in the lurch. The other method some area condos are using is converting the unsold units to rentals until the market bounces back. Has anyone noticed other developments in the area who are using the “slowdown” or ”apartment conversion” technique? 

If you’re into that type of thing, a construction photo from Monday right after the jump…

Newseum Condos

Well as the “New” Newseum puts up the finishing touches, an interesting element of the building is fully taking shape. Namely, the addition of Condos slapped on the back of the building. This mixed use helped off set the cost of the building which is on some major prime real estate right across from the National Art Gallery and does look slightly out of place from the surrounding government buildings (Though it matches the new museum perfectly). 

The option for mixed use is not explored often enough to help make the best use of areas and in some cases allow valuable buildings, which benefit the public, to be built in areas they otherwise might not have been. Plus bringing more residences to that area of town will help round out the mix which currently is pretty dead at night once all the tourists have gone home!

NE Capital Markets New Plans

The Capital City Market in North East is in for some major changes after over 80 years as one of the areas only whole sale markets.

In its place on the 24 acres site will be a new billion dollar redevelopment of the area called New Town.

It is interesting and a little sad to see the displacement of these historic sites, however the facilities have never been able to keep up with the new standards in market storage and shipping that is vital to keeping a modern market up and running. Interestingly enough, 80 years ago the market moved to it’s current location to make way for development from what bacame the down town area of the golden triangle.

Though a plan already was approved by the city council, one important element of responsible growth that would be nice to see in the plans would be developing space for some of the current vendors in remain in the area. It’s thoughtful and responsible conditions like that that help areas retain the people that helped create it, and is something we wish was part of more of the developments in the area!

The Whitehouse it Ain’t – 2501 Penn Ave

Located at 2501 Pennsylvania Avenue, The buildings slogan is “Now you can live on Pennsylvania Avenue, without having to Campaign to get there.”

It’s a nice enough location, and a preservation of an existing facade, which is always something we can get behind. However, the building lists one of our pet peeves as an amenity… Walking distance to the Kennedy Center!!! Even if you wanted too, no one walks to the Kennedy center except Watergate Residence. The mangled pedestrian nightmare of highways in front of the Kennedy Center makes it all but inaccessible.

Condi Rice’s Watergate Appartment

The Watergate Condos are some of the most prized real estate in the city.  Clearly they are valued for their nice views and in Condellezza Rice’s case, proximity to the State Department and White House doesn’t hurt either! Wonder if Condi’s recent late night piano jam sessions have been bugging the neighbors? 

[Photo: Time] The floor plan of Condi’s Apartment after the jump…

Georgetown – First New RowHouses in 10 Years

Though development in Georgetown is common, an entire new development of row houses is not, which is just what we have with the new Wormley Row.

Just off the main drag of M street, Wormley Row is incorporating one old building with almost an entire block of new ground up structures to build 13 (extremely large, even for the area) row homes.

More on the scene construction photos, and what’s behind the strange name after the jump…

Mass Ave Developments

You can’t beat the location and with all the recent development along Mass Ave, a plethora of choices abound for those interested in living downtown. But today lets look at the developments who call on all their creative talents and name their condos after their address. 

List of addresses, literally, after the jump…

Turnberry Towers Georgetown Views?

The Turnberry Towers, currently being built in Rosslyn, has had an extensive national advertising campaign, Newsweek, radio, even the in-flight mag for USAirways, all of which have been touting spectacular views of Historical Georgetown University, National Cathedral, and the Potomac River. However notice the picture on the left which was taken facing in the direction of Georgetown and the river.

There are multiple 15+ story buildings between the Turnberry lot and the river, clearly blocking the views for most of the buildings future residence.

Turnberry has developed similar buildings, architecturally, and amenities wise in Las Vegas, Miami, and the Bahamas, all of which clearly have real views to boast, their new Arlington development… not so sure.

Madrigal Lofts… Not in the Renaissance

Horray! More condos pushing outwards and upwards! The Madrigal Lofts are being built right on the edge of Mount Vernon Triangle, one and two bed room condos. All lofts and the floor plans all have steps up to the bedrooms. Clearly these lofts are not meant to be wheelchair accessible, and you would have a hard time adding a ramp, most of the one bed rooms clock in at around 600 sf.

You can’t please everyone, but hey at least there is a CVS nearby!