Washington does not have the reputation of Chicago or New York City for spectacular, creative contemporary architecture, yet local architects and developers are beginning to express their vision for a city beyond stately federal monuments and buildings.
New structures changing the face of the city include museums such as the Newseum opposite the National Gallery of Art, office buildings wrapped in glass, such as the National Association of Realtors’ headquarters on New Jersey Avenue, and new condominiums with lofts, steel construction and walls of glass rising near Logan Circle and Penn Quarter.
Contemporary architecture is now making an appearance in the U Street Corridor/Shaw neighborhood of Northwest Washington.
Division1 Architects has designed the Lacey, a modern, glass-walled four-story condominium building with a solid steel framework at 1100 Florida Ave. NW, next to the Florida Avenue Grill, a popular diner for Southern food since 1944.
Developer Imar Hutchins, owner of the Florida Avenue Grill, is working with Wilson Enterprises to build the Lacey.
Named in honor of Lacey C. Wilson Sr. and Lacey C. Wilson Jr., longtime proprietors of the Florida Avenue Grill, the Lacey brings a distinctive style to this popular corner of Washington. Within four blocks of the Lacey, residents will find the U Street/Cardoza Metro Station, theaters, nightclubs, restaurants, Meridian Hill Park and Howard University. Just a few blocks farther away are Adams Morgan and an upscale grocery store.
The Lacey, which has 26 one- and two-bedroom homes, is already half sold and is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2008.
Prices range from the mid-$300,000s to the upper brackets for the penthouses. Monthly condominium fees are about $300 and up, based on the square footage of the home.
This 24,000-square-foot, four-story building has a framework of concrete walls and solid steel, with an interior atrium in which hallways rimmed in glass appear to float. 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.
The homes have open floor plans, with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood flooring, high ceilings, high-tech wiring and designer lighting. The kitchens have stainless steel appliances and have been designed by Studio Snaidero to maximize function while blending with the home design.
Unit 201, a one-bedroom home with about 600 square feet, is base-priced at $347,420. This home has a foyer entrance into an open living room with a balcony at one end. The kitchen has a breakfast bar and an adjacent closet with a stacked washer and dryer. The bedroom has a door to the balcony, a closet and an adjacent full bath.
Unit 108, a one-bedroom home with about 900 square feet, is base-priced at $499,000. This home has an open floor plan with a kitchen, living and dining area, a full bath, a bedroom and a closet with a stacked washer and dryer.
Unit 103, a one-bedroom duplex with about 1,100 finished square feet, is base-priced at $641,529. This home has an open kitchen with a breakfast bar and an open living and dining area that overlooks the lower level. The bedroom is partially open to the living area on the upper level and includes a walk-in closet, a full bath and a closet with a stacked washer and dryer.
Unit 105, a two-bedroom duplex with about 1,300 square feet, is base-priced at $754,740. This home has an open kitchen, living and dining area on the upper level, which is partially open to the lower level. The lower level has a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and a private full bath. The second bedroom has a standard closet and an adjacent full bath. This level is partially open to the living-room level.
For information, call Debi Fox at 202/744-1007 or visit www.laceydc.com.
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