DC Gentrification

Architecture styles in the District

admin — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Washington D.C. was founded by the Residence Act on July 16, 1740. Being a city with such a history has given it a scope of architecture that few other American cities can claim.

One of the earliest and more famous styles of architecture in D.C. is neoclassical/Greek revival. These buildings were characterized by their large columns. Possibly the most famous building in America, the White House, is a neoclassical building. An example of a Greek revival building is the Hotel Monaco in D.C.

Neoclassical was then spun into another early style of architecture popular in Washington D.C., called Federal style architecture. Typical features of this style were the buildings geometrical shape, usually being two to three stories high. Notable buildings include the Decatur House, and the Octagon House.

Victorian architecture is another common style to see in Washington D.C. Victorian architecture can include many styles popular between 1865 and 1900. Some styles had wrap around front porches and cone shaped turrets. Most Victorian buildings were tall and narrow to take up less space. Some examples include, the American Peace Society house, and the Christian Heurich Mansion.

With Washington D.C.’s rich history, it has become an architect’s dream, with many different styles combining to paint a lovely portrait for ones eyes.

The best D.C. travel guides

admin — Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The nation’s capital is a dynamic destination for tourists and an enriching place to live. To make sense of it all, a travel guide can offer insight into off-beat local favorites as well as major attractions.

The Lonely Planet guides are casual and humorous; appealing to readers who want a fresh slant on the city’s most popular destinations. The guides poke fun at the politics that shape the community while showcasing the city with attractive pictures. Lonely Planet Washington DC: City Guide is downloadable online by chapter. Also online, Lonely Planet Washington DC: Encounter, sticks to the essentials and is small and easy to carry in book form.

More traditional guides include Frommer’s Washington D.C. and Fodor’s Washington, D.C. Both guides are geared toward mainstream travelers and are backed up by substantial websites. The Fodor’s guide is written by city residents. It lists the pros and cons of all accommodations thus giving readers helpful data for decision making.

Locally produced by Destination DC, Washington DC’s Official Visitors Guide is updated every six months and is viewable in its entirety on their website. This tourism bureau publication focuses on historical and cultural highlights and special events that appeal to locals and tourists alike.

Working to renovate historic D.C.

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Washington, D.C., is a product of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution provides for a national capital that has no allegiance to a specific state. A piece of land was selected to establish our Nation’s Capital on July 16, 1790. Ever since then, people have been visiting the capital to catch a glimpse at historic buildings with many stories to tell.

No one wants to see the dilapidated White House or Capital building. These buildings, http://www.buildings.com/ are hundreds of years old, so they are going to need proper care to keep them around for several hundred years longer.

Every year, buildings in D.C. are being restored better than new. When a building is selected for restoration, a company specializing in the special needs of the building bids on the project. The Federal Government will select whichever bid it likes most and hire that company to fulfill the job at the terms agreed upon. The exterior of the building is likely to need more renovation than the inside, since the weather can easily lay waste to a detailed exterior. The next biggest job is the interior. Since most of these buildings are still in constant use, interior conditions need to be both useable and beautiful. These buildings represent our country, and so need to be well kept

Restoring Historic Barracks Row

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:32:40 +0000

Since 1801, this small but momentous area of Washington DC has been home to Marine Corps barracks, which were first built by Thomas Jefferson. The long-time business district flourished during the first half of the 20^th century, particularly during war time, but then began its decent in the latter half of the 1900s. Finally, in the 1990s there began a shifting of focus back towards restoring this historic area.Most of the restoration in this area has been geared towards creating a commercial, business district. The Barracks Row Business Alliance is aimed toward attracting business owners and improving the local business climate through projects ranging from enhancing window signs to attracting national business resources. Throughout the restoring of this area, the focus has been to create sustainable and low-impact development and growth.If you’re a native of the area, or visiting Washington D.C. for the first time, you should consider spending an afternoon on the Barracks Row Heritage Trail. Visitors can take the self-guided tour at their own pace and explore the rich past and lively activity of Barracks Row today. You can obtain a free trail booklet at various businesses and stores in the area or download it online before you go. A total of 16 signs along the tour provide stories pictures and historical information about the area. Past, notable inhabitants of this street include John Philip Sousa and Emily Edson Briggs, the first female White House correspondent. You will also pass by the Episcopal Church that Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams attended.Projects to maintain and restore this district are ongoing and members of the public interested in these projects can offer their input online at www.capitolhilltownsquare.org. Here you can view designs of potential projects for the area.

Luxury Living on Capitol Hill

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:21:04 +0000

Living in Washington, D.C., means rubbing elbows with a diverse group of people from congressmen to young professionals to social activists. Life in this city also means the choice of many impressive living complexes. If you don’t plan on buying a house, there are an abundance of apartment and condo communities. Living in one of these new complexes guarantees amenities, services, and the opportunity to get to know other D.C. inhabitants your age.Located in the Southeastern part of the city, 909 at Capitol Yards is a 13-story boutique apartment building. A diverse selection of floor plans to choose from meets needs of people looking for anything from a studio to a 3-bedroom apartment. Extensive amenities including a pool, gym, billiards lounge, and even conference rooms provide everything you need right on site. This ideal location places you within walking distance of the Nationals Park, the Capitol, and the Metro.Dorchester House is an Art Deco style apartment complex in Northwest D.C. Though renovations have kept this complex up to date and a sought after living location, it’s almost 70 years old. Apartments ranging from just 525 square feet to over 1100 square feet make up this complex.The brand new Harvard Lofts Condo Complex incorporates modern design into one of the cities historical districts. These town-homes offer balconies, gourmet kitchens and upscale designs for a true taste of luxury living.The Potomac Place on 4^th street offers newly renovated condos with options for granite countertops and maple floors. Located n the urban southwest part of the city, there’s always plenty going on in the area, and residents are only blocks away from the National Mall and the Southwest Waterfront. These condos range from the 180s to over 300 and include access to the outdoor pool, fitness center, and an entertainment lounge.

Long History and Lush Gardens

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:15:10 +0000

Tucked away in the Northwest corner of the city, McLean Gardens covers 23-acres and is home to 31 apartment buildings, all nestled amongst the beautiful gardens of the property. Complete with a highly sought after ballroom, dining services, and community pool, this complex is not only a beautiful and luxurious living location in DC, but also ripe with history.In the early 20^th century, John McLean had an elegant and lavish vacation home built on this property. Exquisite gardens, a golf course, and tennis courts were added to the property and it eventually became so prestigious and well known that President Harding and President Coolidge were among its notable visitors. However, poor financial decisions and overzealous lifestyles by McLean’s descendents resulted in the estate ending up in the hands of the federal government by 1942. During WWII the government built housing on the property for defense workers. After the war ended, these dorm-style homes were no longer needed. At that point, the government sold the property to Harford Insurance Company. It wasn’t until 1981 that the buildings were converted into condos. This area is now considered to be an entire neighborhood and also includes Vaughan Place. These spacious apartments reflect their past as well as their prominent place in today’s DC scene. Classic hard wood flooring and wood-burning fire places are combined with modern touches from stainless steel appliances to sky lighting.Living in this area comes with no shortage of activities or places to go. Famous sites such as the Kennedy Center and the Washington National Cathedral as well as American University surround the Gardens. Perhaps the most desirable aspect of this living complex is the seclusion and privacy you receive without giving up life in the city.

Just a Walk in the Park

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:09:43 +0000

That’s all you have to do to get a feel for the beauty and prestige of this city. Everything in the nation’s capitol emanates a sense of class and splendor from the well-known monuments and theaters to its recreational parks. A cheap and relaxing way to get acquainted with this city’s exquisite landscape can be done by spending a little time in one of its many well-manicured parks.

Anacostia Park: Covering over 1200 acres of land, this park also encompasses Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Access to the Anacostia River makes this a popular destination for local boat owners. A golf course, skating pavilion and ball fields attract visitors of every interest.
The National Arboretum: Maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this 446 acre park is a center for botanical research. Rare and foreign plants and trees can be observed in this garden, which is one of the city’s most aesthetically pleasing sites.
Georgetown Waterfront Park: Curving along the Potomac River, located within the historic Georgetown district, this park has been under construction since its inception in 1968. Having only recently opened, the park has become a Mecca for cyclists and skaters looking for a quiet, car-free area to enjoy the outdoors on two wheels.
The National Mall: Located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building, this is the site for presidential inaugurations, annual Earth Day celebrations, and various festivals throughout the year. However, even on an average day, when there is no pomp and circumstance of a huge ceremony, this park creates a natural feeling of regality and splendor. The monuments, reflecting pool, and millions of diverse visitors make this a truly unique site.
Rock Creek Park: Stretching over 2,000 acres, this park is home to Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Thompson Boat Center, Fort Stevens and Fort DeRussy. The many trails of Rock Creek Park invite joggers, cyclists and skaters to spend the day enjoying the fresh air.

Breaking Down DC’s Neighborhood Districts

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:58:19 +0000

An appropriate representation of the many cultures that make up the American melting pot, Washington D.C. has a wide variety of neighborhoods with diverse make ups. From the power players of Capitol Hill to the trendsetters of Adams Morgan, there is a place for anyone to call home. If you’re relocating to the area, or considering a move within the city, get a feel for the different districts in order to determine where you and your family will fit in best.Georgetown: This affluent, historical neighborhood is home to many lobbyists and politicians as well as the highly-respected Georgetown University. Recent renovations in the area have brought new, high-end retail, restaurants and hotels to the area.Adams Morgan: A popular destination for young professionals, this neighborhood is rich with culture and diversity. Adams Morgan has also gained a reputation for its vibrant and unique nightlife.Anacostia: This urban neighborhood, which has struggled against high crime rates, is finally seeing some restoration with new employment opportunities and the opening of the Nationals stadium in the area.Capitol Hill: Characterized by row houses, this densely populated area is the city’s largest neighborhood. Pennsylvania Avenue is arguably the most popular street in the area, covered with restaurants, bars, and boutiques. This district is said to be the home of many of the nation’s congressmen, while they are residing in the city.Penn Quarter: A once neglected area of the city, this neighborhood, which also includes Chinatown, has experienced a great deal of growth in the last decade. The opening of the Verizon center is responsible for much of the revitalization of the area.Dupont Circle: This diverse neighborhood is noteworthy for its many cultural focal points such as the International Temple, the Dumbarton Bridge as well as several embassies.