Big news for the Logan Circle neighborhood today from PN Hoffman:
We have learned that last week, PN Hoffman purchased the Verizon substation building on the northwest corner of 14th and R Streets (1401 R Street). They are planning to redevelop the existing five-story structure into a residential building with ground-floor retail.
The architect for the project is Eric Colbert, who also designed the Room & Board store and is working with Giorgio Furioso on the commercial project he is building on the east side of 14th Street, NW, between P and Q Streets.
I don't have any further details at the moment, but this is a significant development for the neighborhood. For years, the Verizon building has bee a so-called "block killer", in that it was basically dead space at a prominent corner along an otherwise vibrant thoroughfare. It will be interesting to see what plans are drawn up for the redevelopment of the building.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Verizon Building @ 14th and R Sold, Redevelopment Plan in Works
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28 comments:
dang- what a huge WIN for the neighborhood!!!
good to know that these substations can be purchased... does it mean that another substation location needs to be built in the area?
I have the same question as DG-rad... What's a substation? How can it be moved?
With the move to digital lines and much smaller and better electronics, I doubt that Verizon still needs this much space for a substation. The whole operation is probably in a small server somewhere now!
My understanding is that this is something that had been in the works for some time. Verizon certainly understood that they were sitting on some valuable real estate, and as others have noted the need for a substation in this area had diminished significantly over the last decade or so. I've no information as to whether the substation will be replaced, but my guess is probably not.
At any rate, this is indeed a huge win for the neighborhood.
All of the substation hardware can probably fit in the basement now. It's cooler down there too. Servers like to be cool!
Block Killer???? Did they not notice the homeless shelter on the opposite corner?
can we also fit the homeless in a basement?
This is a good thing, but it will be intersting to learn waht environmental/industrail issues they have to deal with inside.
What do the shelter or homeless people have to do with this? The Central Union Mission will remain where it is until their transition to the Gales School can be completed--and has nothing to do with the redevelopment of the Verizon Building.
it will be interesting to see how the developer will incorporate lievely streetfacing retail into the fairly solid street level facade given that the site is within the historic district and alterations will be challenging.
Should we expect PNHoffman to renovate the existing building like they did at Union Row Warehouses or will they level it and start new?
They will be renovating the existing building. City will not grant a demo license to a conforming structure like the Verizon building.
You know we’ve turned a corner in the market when you start hearing names like PN Hoffman!
Homeless shelter? You mean the guy with the one man refugee camp across the street from the Verizon Building?
As always great updates, there are so many exciting changes in our neighborhood. The area is getting very prosperous.
I also want to stress the need to provide good care and shelter for homeless and other people in need. Preferably in our area so that we can actually see people are doing better, rather than trying to hide or move people somewhere else.
Homeless shelter? You mean the guy with the one man refugee camp across the street from the Verizon Building?
Can someone please tell me how that guy is permitted to live there -- and blocking a hydrant, no less!
There are zero people living in the Verizon buildings.
Number of people that will be made homeless by development of the Verizon buildings?
Take a guess.
Very good news! It's a beautiful building at a prominent corner location. Let's just hope they don't attempt to knock out the first floor walls/windows to put in large glass windows in their place. This building has a strong sturdy presence ... that would be seriously compromised if it lost its visual connection to the ground.
I wonder what they'll call ... ? "The Substation?" ... will Verizon try to keep the naming rights on it?!
Lance, that is exactly what I hope happens. I think it would look great and creat a bit of lightness on the bulky ground floor.
Making substantial changes to the building will require HPRB approval; not saying they couldn't do something like what Lance described, but they'll have to do it very carefully. We'll see...
We are pleased to provide an informal "pre-announcement" that a new GrowthSpace innovation facility will be built in one of the commercial units of the Solea Condominium at 1409 Florida Avenue. Nucraft Company LLC, a corporate growth development company, has selected the 14th Street Corridor as the location for its 2nd DC-area GrowthSpace innovation facility. The first GrowthSpace facility is now under construction in Rosslyn, Arlington. The facilities provide corporate clients with dedicated off-site collaboration spaces that foster innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. The company has recently closed on the Florida Avenue property and have engaged DC architect Ernesto Santalla of Studio Santalla to finalize the design of the space. We anticipate going through the permitting process and beginning the build out within the next 30 days. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Bad PR 101: putting off-topic press release text in a comment thread.
can you cram any more meaningless corporate-speak in a single press release?
A sign marked "9" was installed outside the old Halo bar on P Street today. Anyone know what's going in there?
Regarding what is going into the old Halo/Mova space:
Monday morning update: Thank you to the reader who pointed us to the March 2 meeting minutes of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F-Logan. Here’s the lowdown on what’s coming to 1435 P NW: ”Ed Bailey announced that he and John Guggenmos are returning to 1435 P Street, NW and will be opening a new bar named #9.” They were part owners of Halo at the same location, before it became MOVA, and are owners of Town Danceboutique at 8th and U Streets NW.
http://www.borderstan.com/03/p-street-what-will-replace-mova-and-mccormick-paints/
With all the development in the area, it has become nearly impossible for residents to park in the area. More condos without parking just makes it worse on R street. Wish they'd demolish the building and start with a garage below.
The real issue, though, is how they're going to sell apartments when there is a nexus of gang- and drug-related activity across the street on the south side of R. The closed circuit camera doesn't seem to be much if a deterrent. It doesn't give you a cozy feeling.
I will respectfully disagree with the complete jackwagon who proposed tearing down historic buildings, just so that a parking garage may be constructed underneath these parcels.
Yeah while they are at it...demolish all that section 8 housing
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