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The former Giant Food site was sold to Metro Properties, Inc. by Douglas Development. Metro Properties will build a 315 unit residential condominium building on this site called Allegro.
Information
This site was left vacant after Giant Food relocated to the Tivoli Square during the summer of 2005.
The Allegro Condominium website has been updated (estimated pricing, floorplans, updated map).
February 27, 2006
Word from Metro Properties President, Jeremy Rubenstein
Thank you so much for writing about our project at the former Giant Food site in Columbia Heights. The project is known as Allegro, and its website is www.allegrospaces.com. At present the website is somewhat limited, but we expect to update it regularly and hope to have a rendering of the property up in about a month or so. I hope that you will both look at it now and come back to it later as more information is added.
As far as the development is concerned, we are fortunate to not only have the Giant site under contract but also the rather rundown lots behind that site as well. Thus, we will be able to eliminate the current eyesore of broken pavement, etc.
Allegro will be one of the largest developments in Columbia Heights, with a total of approximately 315 residential homes. The building is designed with multiple courtyards and a large amount of open space for the residents. Allegro will have a fitness center, courtyard water fountain, and "internet lounge" for homeowners among other features. It will have approximately 246 underground parking spaces available for purchase, and many of the units will have balconies and/or bay windows. There also will be two level penthouse units, with second floor rooms bordering on private, rooftop terraces.
Standard features will include the homeowner's choice of maple or oak flooring in the kitchen, foyer, living and dining areas; stainless steel appliances; granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms; designer lighting; European style flat panel maple cabinets; nine-foot ceilings; advanced structured wiring for internet and television; etc.
As you may be aware, Metro Properties, Inc. is now completing the 162 unit Rhapsody project at 2120 Vermont Avenue, NW, just above U Street (www.rhapsodycondo.com). Most of the same team members that put together The Rhapsody are also involved in this project, including award winning architect Eric Colbert and Associates, general contractor Clark Residential, LLC and, of course, Metro Properties, Inc. as the developer. Another recent project of note completed by Metro Properties, Inc. is the Newton Hall condominium, a 40 unit project at 1417 Newton Street which happens to adjoin the Allegro site.
As for retail, Allegro will be completed in 2008, at about the same time as the DC USA project is complete. DC USA will have over 500,000 square feet of retail just a few hundred yards away including a large amount of small retail spaces. After careful consideration, we determined that a purely residential project was the most feasible approach in light of the DC USA project and other factors. I am highly confident, however, that the property will be a wonderful and welcome addition to Columbia Heights.
February 11, 2006
According to a representative from Douglas Development, this site is slated for some kind of residential development.
Need Retail on the ground level Written by
on 2006-10-20 21:53:43Allegro could include retail uses on the ground to prolong the continuity of the pedestrian experience, as people walk up and down the commercial corridor.
Written by GforGood on 2006-10-21 08:13:47I thought I read somewhere that the new desing indeed includes some retail space..
Written by
on 2006-10-24 13:24:28I've spoken with the the company and the plans include two retail spaces on the first floor. Possibly a dry cleaners in one space.
Written by GforGood on 2006-10-24 20:43:37Another dry cleaner? Hmm.. hope they get something else. Btw, anyone know when they are going to break ground?
Written by
on 2006-10-25 07:29:24Agreed - we'll already have the Oxo place and the other one opening in Kenyon (I believe that's where it is). No need for a third. We need more restaurants! Maybe Taqueria District Federal will move to a bigger space?
Written by Jeff on 2006-10-25 07:38:34I'll third that, Georgetown Valet and OXXO are plenty. Some places that would be really cool and fill a void would include some sort of nice wine / food specialty store, a bookstore, housewares stores (I know Target is coming in but something with a little more character / more independant), and a good japanese / sushi / thai / chinese / indian (basically any kind of asian food!) restaurant. It would be nice to see some places filling huge gaps in the local economy before we get a third dry cleaner or an eigth planned coffee place, etc.!
Breaking ground... Written by
on 2006-11-12 13:34:36I know that Allegro is in Phase 1 which is to sell 89 homes. They've sold 76 thus far. Planned opening is in Fall 2008, not sure how long before ground will be dug.
Written by
on 2006-11-16 08:22:14I purchased a one-bedroom unit in the Allegro back in August and just talked to a sales rep. today about when construction will start. She said the ground breaking will likely take place following another sales party in early December and that the project is still scheduled to open in Sept. 2008.
Written by GforGood on 2006-11-16 12:35:03Excellent. Perhaps they will even finish at least part of it early.
Written by AllegroBuyer3 on 2006-12-18 14:31:05I just purchased a condo there and am looking forward to moving into the neighborhood asap. What remains of the old Giant is being hauled off now and groundbreaking will begin soon. I was told boutique retail shops, but no restaurants will line 14th Street. CVS showed interest, but Allegro turned them down. They want more quaint establishments.
The former Giant Food site was sold to Metro Properties, Inc. by Douglas Development. Metro Properties will build a 315 unit residential condominium building on this site called Allegro.
