Converted condo buildings in Petworth designed to appeal to first-time buyers

As published on thewashingtonpost.com

When two properties became available in the sought-after neighborhood surrounding the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro station in Northwest Washington, developers snapped them up. Both sites have been converted into condo buildings known as the Montage. The north building is sold out; the south building is 75 percent sold.

“The north building had been a single-family home that had fallen into disrepair and since the zoning allowed for higher density development we were able to turn the property into condos,” says Adrian Washington, founder and chief executive of Neighborhood Development Co. in the District. “The south building was an office building with these interesting metal panels on the outside, so we preserved a few of those to use in our office space.”

Washington says the one- and two-bedroom units in both buildings were designed to appeal to first-time buyers, so each building has a higher number of the more affordable one-bedroom units.

The slightly larger south building, which has 20 units on five floors, includes an elevator.

“We debated about whether to include an elevator since this could have been a walk-up building,” Washington says. “Ultimately, we decided it was worth the extra cost and loss of some space to have this amenity for residents.”

Quartz in bathroom: Five units are available in the Montage South building, including Unit 501, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse with 970 square feet. This unit, priced at $589,900, has a monthly condo fee of $409.

The unit has 11-foot-high ceilings and wide plank oak flooring. Like all of the units that face Georgia Avenue, this residence has a Juliet balcony with a glass door in the living area and in the master bedroom. Just inside the front door is a closet with a full-size washer and dryer, and a coat closet.

The open floor plan includes a kitchen with white cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and quartz counters, including a large peninsula with space for a breakfast bar. The kitchen faces the living and dining area, which has a wall of tall glass doors and a transom window. The unit has one bedroom with a double-door closet and a bathroom across the hall. The master suite has a larger bedroom and a large walk-in closet linking the bedroom and the bathroom. All the bathrooms have white quartz counters, gray tile flooring and black hardware.

On the lower level, Unit 103, a one-bedroom and den residence with one bathroom, is also available. The 790-square-foot unit, priced at $399,900, has a monthly condo fee of $334. This unit has tile flooring that resembles wood because the floor is below ground and includes a private terrace adjacent to a courtyard. The den at the back of the unit has a closet and is next to the full bathroom. The master bedroom is at the front of the unit next to the living and dining area and open kitchen.

A first-floor residence at the front of the building, Unit 201, has 676 square feet and is priced at $374,900 with a monthly condo fee of $285. This unit has one bedroom and one full bathroom, tall windows and Juliet balconies overlooking Georgia Avenue, and an open-floor-plan kitchen, living and dining area.

Monument and Cathedral views: The smallest one-bedroom residence, Unit 402, has 584 square feet and is priced at $354,900 with a monthly condo fee of $245. This unit has an interior bedroom with a transom window opening to allow in limited light. The open living and dining area has a galley-style kitchen along one wall without an island. The entire front of the unit is floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Petworth.

“The biggest challenge with this project is that it’s one of the first buildings to be built under the District’s new green building code,” Washington says. “Both have green roofs and state-of-the-art storm-water retention systems.”

Washington says that while Neighborhood Development Co. was voluntarily doing green building before the Montage, there were extra design challenges and costs this time because the requirements were new to the company, to the permit office and to inspectors.

The 20-unit Montage South building has a roof terrace shared by all residents with views of the Washington Monument and Washington National Cathedral. In addition, the building will have a landscaped courtyard space shared with the community.

The only other building amenity is secure entry. No parking is included, because of the expectation that most residents will use Metrorail and buses rather than drive. Those who do have cars can park on nearby streets.

What’s nearby: The Petworth neighborhood has expanded its amenities with new shops and restaurants in recent years. The Montage is within a few blocks of the Petworth Library, Petworth Citizen bar and reading room, Upshur Street Books, an organic market and a grocery store. Nearby are Qualia Coffee, Domku Bar and Cafe, and new eateries, including a Japanese restaurant and the Latin American wine bar and restaurant Ruta Del Vino.

In warm weather, the Petworth Jazz Project showcases local jazz talent on the lawn at Eighth and Taylor streets NW. From May through November, the Petworth Community Market takes place every Saturday at Ninth and Upshur streets NW and includes a farmers market, music and crafts.

Schools: Powell Elementary, Raymond Education Campus, Roosevelt High.

Transit: Numerous bus lines serve Georgia Avenue and the vicinity. Montage residents can walk a few blocks south to the Georgia Avenue/Petworth Metro station to catch the Green and Yellow lines.