Sherman Avenue will have some new neighbors soon. A development of townhouses is coming to the large parking lot and the Iglesia ni Cristo at Sherman and Morton. Part of the development will be inside the existing church building, and part will be new construction on the parking lot site.
The development calls for 26 2-level rowhouses to be called Morton Street Mews. Mews is a term for a group of rowhouses not facing a street but rather sharing a central sidewalk or walkway — there are examples in Foggy Bottom. It’s a good way to fill a big lot but keep density lower than a big building. I like the designs too, and it’s cool that it’s reusing the existing building rather than tearing it down.
The units are priced from the $600s for ground level units and $800s for the upper level units, all with parking, and 3-4 affordable units.
This seems like a good use of space to me — that parking lot is quite large and was rarely used, and it also means more folks coming to the area, plus some affordable housing.
The press release is below, and here’s with more info and developer OPaL’s website. Another plan is below.
Announcing a Colorful, Eclectic New Community in Downtown, DC.
Morton Street Mews takes the 11th Street, NW
neighborhood to a new level with its interesting architecture and modern
twists.
Cabin
John, MD, February 28, 2014— Two-time
GALA Home of the Year award winner, OPaL announces a refreshing addition to the
11th Street, NW neighborhood in Washington, DC. Part reclaimed church, part new architecture
and thoroughly colorful, Morton Street Mews is a new condominium community that
commands attention.
The
community of 26 two-level homes will partly inhabit an existing church on the
site. The rest of the complex will be new construction brownstones echoing the
Colonial and Federal styles of Georgetown and DuPont Circle. To make the
property even more distinct, the brick facades along Sherman Street will be
painted in colorful tones while the facades along Morton will consist of lap siding
and shutters, offset with black windows throughout.
Another
key part of the Morton Street Mews story is its location. The community is at
the corner of Morton Street and Sherman Avenue, NW, two blocks from the
Petworth Metro station, four blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro station and
one block from 11th Street’s row of delightful coffee shops, pet
stores and restaurants—perfect for anyone seeking a unique city lifestyle.
Other conveniences, like a new Safeway, dog park, zip cars and DC Bike Share are
also close at hand.
Inside,
open spaces, flat panel cabinetry and cable railings set a thoroughly modern
tone, sharply contrasting the traditional architecture you see from the street.
Each condominium comes with parking within a gated motor court and some will
feature rooftop terraces.
“There
aren’t a whole lot of options for buyers who want to live in this part of the
city, especially for those desiring new construction,” says Sean Ruppert,
OPaL’s president. “Morton Street Mews offers buyers a funky mix of tradition
and modernity in a great downtown location.” OPaL is known for finding prime
projects in highly desirable locations and building unique homes on them, while
being sensitive to the architecture and residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
Morton
Street Mews will be designed by award-winning architect, Gregory Sparhawk.
Based in Pasadena, M, Greg brings a unique aesthetic to all his designs,
satisfying the tastes of those who seek something beyond the region’s
traditional architecture. The condominiums at Morton Street Mews are projected
to be priced from the mid $600’s.
Other
current OPaL projects include Canal Mews, a small enclave of coastal graystones
in Palisades and 39 Up, a community of 40 contemporary townhomes and
single-family homes across from the Westfield Wheaton Mall in Maryland.
###
About OPaL
Based in Cabin
John, MD, OPaL is a local builder specializing in developing small,
well-located, close-in communities. With over 15 years of experience in the
homebuilding industry and numerous awards, OPaL’s extraordinary vision brings a
whole new dimension to the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas. The company
builds only a handful of new townhomes and single-family homes each year,
preferring quality, individuality and location over cookie-cutter appeal. All
of the more than 120 homes built by OPaL since its inception are characterized
by truly unique architecture, impeccable details and deep thought for the
lifestyles of their owners. To learn more, visit www.opaldc.com
Contact
Sean Ruppert at 301-320-3979for more information about this release.
