Special feature: D.C.'s U Street corridor

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By Michele Lerner SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

In the 50 years since Ben's Chili Bowl opened on U Street, the Northwest neighborhood that surrounds this D.C. landmark has experienced plenty of ups and downs.

In the early days, the beloved restaurant was in the center of what was affectionately called "Black Broadway," where numerous dance halls, jazz clubs and theaters, including the Lincoln Theatre, hosted the likes of Billy Eckstine.

In 1968, Ben's Chili Bowl was one of the few businesses to survive the riots that followed the assassination of U Street corridor lost its cachet, becoming another urban neighborhood inundated with crime and drugs. In the late 1980s, Metro's Green Line was undergoing construction in the area, which initially caused even more disruption to local businesses and residents but later became part of the revitalization of the neighborhood.

During the past decade, jazz clubs have returned to U Street, bringing new restaurants, residents and businesses into a revitalized neighborhood that includes the restored Lincoln Theatre.

PN Hoffman is building two developments - the Flats at Union Row and the Warehouses at Union Row - at 14th and V streets Northwest near the U Street corridor and Shaw. The Flats include loft designs with terraces, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. These homes range from studio homes to one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes, including some with a den, priced from the upper $200,000s to the upper $900,000s. Monthly condominium fees range from $243 to $488.

The Warehouses offer a variety of ceiling heights in the homes, which are gathered around a central courtyard with elevated walkways leading to each private entrance. The one- and two-bedroom homes are priced from the upper $300,000s to $1,200,000. Monthly condominium fees range from $333 to $428. Call 202/232-1997 or visit www. pnhoffman.com.

Urban Land Co., a real estate sales office that handles new construction projects, represents the Floridian on Florida Avenue near the corner of Ninth and U streets Northwest. The Floridian, developed by White House, and the building, near the U Street Metro stop, also includes two levels of underground parking. Call 202/299-9923 or visit www.urban landcompany.com.

Division One Architects has designed the Lacey, a modern, glass-walled four-story condominium building at 1100 Florida Ave. NW, a few blocks from the U Street/Cardoza Metro station. The Lacey's 26 one- and two-bedroom homes range from the mid-$300,000s to the upper brackets for the penthouses. Monthly condominium fees start at around $200 and go up, depending on the home's square footage. Every home in the building has a balcony, a rooftop deck or a yard. Four live-work duplexes are part of the development, each with a private front yard and private entrance. The four penthouse suites include rooftop decks and city views. Standard features include hardwood flooring, high ceilings, high-tech wiring, stainless steel appliances and designer lighting. Call Debi Fox at 202/744-1007 or visit www. LaceyDC.com.

Robertson Development is building the midrise Murano condominium at 2117 10th St. NW, one block from the U Street Metro station. The 12 homes include one-bedroom and den, two-bedroom and den, and two-bedroom duplex homes with a great room. These contemporary-style homes have ceilings from 8 to 20 feet high, large windows, maple flooring, Italian porcelain or marble tile in the baths and European-style kitchens with stainless steel appliances and concrete or granite counters.

The homes range in size from a one-bedroom, one-bath home with 743 square feet to a two-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath duplex with a loft, a den and terraces on two levels and 1,585 finished square feet. The homes are priced from $399,900 to $1,150,000, with monthly condominium fees ranging from $227 to $484. Visit www.muranodc.com.

At the Moderno at 12th and U streets Northwest, buyers will find a wide range of styles and sizes among the 19 homes for sale. This LaKritz/Adler Development LLC and Robertson Development project has one-bedroom homes, one-bedroom homes with a den, two-bedroom homes, and two-bedroom homes with a den, some of which are flats and others that are two-level penthouse homes with private roof terraces. Duplex and triplex town homes are also part of this mixed-use development.

Interior features include 8.3- to 19-foot ceilings, hardwood or European porcelain tile flooring, high-tech wiring and European-style kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite or quartz counters. The homes have patios, balconies and terraces, and hot tubs are available. The homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s to $1,300,000, with monthly condominium fees ranging from $250 to $500. Call 202/637-0102 or visit www.love moderno.com.

Robertson Development also is building the Beauregard at 2100 11th St. NW, a six-story midrise building with 45 homes. Two blocks from the U Street Metro station, this development includes a fitness center, garage parking and rooftop space with city views. Priced from the upper $300,000s to $1,350,000, the homes have one, two or three bedrooms and some include a den. The homes have 9- and 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, marble tile baths and European-style kitchens with granite or concrete counters and stainless steel appliances. Monthly condominium fees range from $303 to $728. Call 202/549-2212 or visit www. TheBeauregard.com.

At 1402 Swann St., eight new condominium homes have been developed in a Victorian-style row house a short walk from the U Street Metro station. The Freeman Development Group LLC and Rich Markus Architects renovated the facade of the row house and then matched it with a complementary front on the new construction. The entire inside of the building is new. Only one two-bedroom home remains available for sale, priced at $579,000. Monthly condominium fees average $250.

These loft-style homes feature hand-scraped wide-plank oak floors in the living areas, wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms and abundant closet space. The 10-foot ceilings add drama to the living spaces, which include custom-made woodwork and cabinets. The open, European-style kitchens have granite counters and stainless steel GE Architectural Series appliances. The spa-like bathrooms include an oversized shower of Turkish limestone. Each home has a washer and dryer, oversized double-hung windows, recessed lighting and an open floor plan. Call Realtor Washington Fine Properties LLC at 202/607-4000 or visit www.freeman developmentgroup.com.

Division One Architects is in the preconstruction phase of developing the Drost, an upscale condominium at 2106 10th St., which will include four homes. Two blocks from the U Street Metro station, this building will include a duplex with a patio, two one-level homes with a backyard or a balcony, and a penthouse with a rooftop deck. Prices and condominium fees have yet to be determined. For updates, call Debi Fox at 202/744-1007 or visit www. thedrost.com.