Since January, 2003
 

May 12, 2007

May 2, 2013
2nd (West) at K, Looking Southeast (see more)

The long-vacant apartment building on the northwest corner of Third and L that was resurrected earlier this year as "Casa degli Angeli," a nautical-themed short-term rental operation, lost its bid last week to become a bed and breakfast, when the Board of Zoning Adjustment was forced to deny the operator's request for a variance. As spelled out in the Office of Planning's report on the case, the Casa would not be meeting the standards for an "accessory use" because the building's owner would not be living there, plus the plan to rent out seven bedrooms (making it more of an inn than a B&B), would run counter to the intent of the zoning regulations that allow only limited non-residential uses in residential zones.
The four BZA board members were apologetic, clearly feeling that the idea to run the building as a B&B was at heart a good one, but that the city's regulations clearly precluded them from approving the request. (Here's the video of the hearing; I used the nifty "TinyClip" option to link to just this portion of what was otherwise a very long hearing.)
Casa's propietor, "Captain Apollo," tells me that he intends to continue to run the building as a short-term 30-day rental building, and will still be attempting to turn it into a B&B at some point down the road.
 

See All Current News Items

Comments

SG says: (11/19/09 9:35 PM)
What a disgrace. The BZA should know better.

brt says: (11/20/09 12:17 AM)
a huge area of working industrial dc is destroyed for wealthy residents and baseball lovers and yet they can't let a B&B open?

i agree with SG.

JoeinDC says: (11/20/09 8:34 AM)
I do not disagree with the BZA. Clearly, the board was constrained by zoning regulations. These regulations are in place for a reason lest 5 liquor stores pop up within a 2 block area. How about one of those nifty shops selling their kung-fu videos out front and the other 90% of the store dedicated to "adult films" located just on the corner across the street from an elementary school or your house. You know the one? The one where vagrants hang out all day and night selling drugs, etc. A very charming neighborhood addition.

Certainly, zoning regulations do not always please everyone. However, it is necessary to keep in mind that the intent is more often for the improvement of an area. I for one will live 3 blocks from the "Casa." No offense to the owner, but that place looks a bit sketchy to say the least. I was alittle surprised that it was in anyway a short term rental building. Just a little sprucing up so that the place actually looks like an inviting place to stay as opposed to a gulag would go a long way. There is a certain "ick" factor to the building but it could be spiffed up. That said, if he can renovate the place and make it more visually appealing, then I wish him luck. I would support a zoning variance for the Casa, but only if the owner made the place look nice. I wish him luck.

G St says: (11/20/09 10:27 AM)
Concur with JoeinDC.

If you want to call it a B&B, you need to be a Bob Newhart and live there. Yes, and that block is, well, still stuck in a time-warp looks-wise from the bad old days, pre-JD Land. (With exception of Cornacopia)

Ed says: (11/20/09 11:06 AM)
Lets call it what it really is currently, a flophouse. Why don't they just renovate and sell as condos. in that location, that would have to be a profit maker, wouldn't it?

Michael says: (11/20/09 6:37 PM)
That entire block is full of wonderful old rowhomes. The "hotel" is the only hideous part of the street. It is heinous looking!

IMGoph says: (11/22/09 6:37 PM)
i hate to anger the commenters here, but this isn't an ugly building. you might not like the look, it might not be decorative enough for your tastes, but it's not falling down. it's not sporting an overgrown yard. there are hundreds of properties in this city that are much much much more offensive to the eye, and the well-being of the neighborhood.

i hope that the zoning rewrite will allow more mixed use as a matter-of-right. that's what good cities actually allow.

Capt Apollo says: (11/22/09 9:34 PM)
I thank you for a fair comment and invite anyone who wishes to visit us, to come and see the interior as it is presently. The plan is to make it an affiliate to the Navy Yard & Museum. We presently have Captain's Quarters and 4 Officer's Cabins. The Crew's Quarters would be in the lower level, when we gain a variance. Your comments on the exterior need elaborating. I know it is better than it was prior to my arrival in March of this year, and I would appreciate any proposition towards making this corner as attractive as possible. I have an application in to make some changes on the 3rd street side, between the building next door, and that might take another six months for approval. It will take several more years to be where I would like to be and I welcome as much support as you can offer. So far, I have had very favorable reports from my tenants. Please contact me at www.casadegliangeli.com


CAPT Hill says: (11/23/09 8:46 AM)
Capt Apollo -

Good luck to you sir. I wish all the best for your business and our little corner of DC.

Michael says: (11/23/09 7:01 PM)
If "early medieval stockade" were in vogue, then I would say Casa Degli Angeli looks wonderful. But it's not, and the building is ugly. The landscape isn't overgrown anymore, but the building is a brick wall with a narrow door that seems to be missing its portcullis.

I'm only commenting about the look of the building and not about the idea of a bed and breakfast...

Add a Comment:

Comments are closed for this post.

JDLand Comments RSS Feed

See All Current News Items | Full Blog Archive

 

Now updated for 2013!
JDLand.com's Official Unofficial Guide

Follow jdland on Twitter
Drawings of the Sweetgreen coming in 2014, and what the Yardification of some DC Water acreage could look like: link (12:20 PM 5/24)
There really is a fix for everything: a Chrome extension to make Feedly look like Google Reader. link (11:55 AM 5/23)
I'm starting to get jealous. RT @sharrowsDC: The @TheBillWalsh media blitz continues! #stoputurnsonpenn #bikedc link (7:50 PM 5/22)
My post on the council's restoration of funds to get DC Water (somewhat) moved out and expand the Yards: link (4:23 PM 5/22)
RT @CharlesAllenDC: Council budget vote restored funding for Yards/DCWater project; keeps it on schedule. It's a big project for the neighb… (3:05 PM 5/22)
more tweets
Or, Follow JDLand on
Recent Registered Reader Comments:  
Westnorth on Council Restores Funding: Hmm, well if it's only Fleet Management operations that are there, then those should be relatively e...
MJM on Renderings of Sweetgreen,: Maybe for a dig at Akridge, they should have done the rendering with the ugly @$$ contrainers on Hal...
Skeptical on Council Restores Funding: So the neighborhood will smell like poo poo for years to come?
JES on Sweetgreen Confirmed For: That would also explain why the salads are so expensive...
Latest News
  
For past mile markers in the neighborhood's evolution,
see my Near Southeast DC Timeline.

Thousands and thousands of photos showing the neighborhood changing. More than 150 buildings no longer with us. All the news, since 2003. Photos from various archives showing the neighborhood in the more distant past. Maps from the early 1900s. Overhead Photo Comparisons: 1949, 1988, 2002-2008. All Blog Entries, 2003 - Present Major Events, 1799 - Present A series of blog entries looking at the neighborhood's history.
Near Southeast's Rearview Mirror
Today in (Recent) Near Southeast History


City Government Data for Near Southeast
Records added or updated recently displayed here; click the "archive" links to see additional detail and older records. All data from DC Government databases and RSS feeds. JDLand takes no responsibility for errors, omissions, etc. (read CapStat disclaimer). Data is retrieved daily.

Recent Crime Incidents Archive  
1100 B/O HALF ST SE   THEFT /  05/17/13
M ST SE AND 11TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/15/13
300 B/O VIRGINIA AVE SE   BURGLARY /  05/13/13
L ST SE AND 5TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/08/13
900 B/O 5TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/03/13
1000 B/O 3RD PLACE SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
1000 B/O 5TH ST SE   THEFT /  05/01/13
1500 B/O SOUTH CAPITOL ST   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  05/01/13
900 B/O 4TH ST SE   MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT /  04/29/13
UNIT B/O M ST SE   THEFT /  04/27/13
700 B/O L ST SE   THEFT /  04/26/13

Active Public Space Permits Archive  
1011 1ST ST SE    COLIN CLARK 
Pending
excavation; new  
 03/03/14
to
05/01/14
815 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1101 4TH ST SE    Comcast Cable 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
07/05/13
1200 - 1299 BLOCK HALF ST SE    Washington Nationals 
Issued
streetfixture; new  
 08/24/12
to
08/15/13
200 - 299 BLOCK TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 01/01/13
to
12/31/13
200 - 299 BLOCK VIRGINIA AVE SE    Phil Sheridan 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/20/13
to
07/18/13
909 HALF ST SE    Ruben Companies Ruben Companies 
Pending Document
excavation  
 03/01/13
to
09/01/13
23 I ST SE    23 I LLC c/o Ruben Companies 
Pending
paving; new  
 11/30/12
to
11/29/13
200 I ST SE    Todd Stone 
Pending
streetfixture; new  
 11/21/12
to
11/22/13
17 M ST SE    1015 HALF STREET SE LLC 
Pending
excavation; new  
 07/23/12
to
07/22/13
100 M ST SE    Gordon Biersch Restaurant And Brewery 
Pending
new  
 01/07/13
to
06/30/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Issued
excavation; new  
 05/06/13
to
07/04/13
    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/23/13
to
04/22/14
202 M ST SE    canal park business assoc 
Issued
paving; new  
 04/29/13
to
05/31/13
401 M ST SE    cris FLACK 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/22/13
to
06/20/13
770 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Pending
excavation; new  
 12/10/12
to
05/31/13
900 M ST SE    Corman Construction 
Issued
excavation; new  
 09/11/12
to
09/10/13
922 M ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
1201 M ST SE    Michael Manoski 
Pending Document
excavation  
 05/06/13
to
05/05/14
1333 M ST SE    WASHINGTON GAS 
Assigned
excavation  
 05/01/13
to
04/30/14
1500 M ST SE    DC Water 
Pending
excavation; new  
 02/15/13
to
07/30/13
125 O ST SE    TRAYLOR/SLANSKA/JAY DEE JOINT VENTURE(DAMIAN RUPPERT) 
Issued
paving; streetfixture; new  
 12/24/12
to
12/23/13
300 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
paving; excavation; new  
 12/14/12
to
12/13/13
301 TINGEY ST SE    Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC 
Issued
new  
 03/21/12
to
11/27/14
401 TINGEY ST SE    Northeast Remsco Construction Incorporated 
Pending
new  
 02/18/13
to
08/31/13
601 VIRGINIA AVE SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Issued
excavation; new  
 04/30/13
to
06/28/13
301 WATER ST SE    Wash Gas & Light Co. 
Assigned
excavation  
 04/19/13
to
11/30/13

Recent Issued Building Permits Archive  
1263 1ST ST SE   
05/10/13 
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC / CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC; WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
SB1300204 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL FIVE MONITORING WELLS ON ADJOINING PARCELS ON SQUARE 701 LOT 818 821 825 826 827 TO EVALUATE SOIL AND GROUNDWATER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION PRIOR TO SITE DEVELOPMENT. SITE IS CURRENTLY VACANT AND USED FOR PARKING.
1013 4TH ST SE   
05/13/13 
EVA WALTER / RALPH E JACKSON
P1304928 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1212 4TH ST SE   
05/10/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
FD1300032 / CONSTRUCTION
REVISION TO FOUNDATION TO GRADE REF: PERMIT FD1109003
70 I ST SE   
05/08/13 
NA NA NA
EHOP1390413 / HOME OCCUPATION
80 M ST SE   
05/10/13 
WELLS REIT II 80 M STREET LLC / SCOTT BROADBENT; WELLS REIT II 80 M STREET LLC; SCOTT BROADBENT
E35382167 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC / ASHLEY MANGAN; WELLS RELT II 8 WELLS RELT II 80 M STREET LLC; DAVID RAINE
FS87326044 / SUPPLEMENTAL
300 M ST SE   
05/15/13 
FEDERAL CENTER LP / MARK A. PELUSO
E1305320 / SUPPLEMENTAL
100 M ST SE   
05/17/13 
KEN MERZELLIO / THOMAS HUMMEL; KEN MERZELLIO; THOMAS HUMMEL
E61670509 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1201 M ST SE   
05/08/13 
CARLTON RAY / MICHAEL MANOSKI
AH1300561 / CONSTRUCTION
PERFORM TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES.
   
05/08/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO. WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO. / THOMAS NIEMANN; WASHINGTON GAS WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO.; JOE ISAAC
AR66926931 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO / JEFFREY KNIGHT; WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO; JOHN WEEKS
E20855539 / SUPPLEMENTAL
880 NEW JERSEY AVE SE   
05/14/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / LEONARD J. MCNULTY
P1304963 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/14/13 
880 NEW JERSEY AVENUE LLC / ALBERT J. PEARCE
M1301714 / SUPPLEMENTAL
1500 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   
05/10/13 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / GUARDIAN FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
B1306662 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTALL ANSUL R-102 1.5-GALLON COMMERCIAL KITCHEN HOOD FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TO PROTECT NEW SMOKER OVEN IN CLUB LEVEL KITCHEN - WASHINGTON NATIONALS STADIUM
300 TINGEY ST SE   
05/16/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1305030 / SUPPLEMENTAL
101 TINGEY ST SE   
05/17/13 
HILL COUNTRY BBQ MARKET / ALEX CRAWFORD
TN1300200 / CONSTRUCTION
OUTDOOR VENUE WITH FENCE AND TENTS FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES WITH LIVE MUSIC
300 TINGEY ST SE   
05/10/13 
FOREST CITY WASHINGTON / JOE SPINELLI RESTAURANT CONSULTANTS
B1303626 / CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR ALTERATION OF AN EXISTING BUILDING OF A TOTAL GFA = 2750 SQ.FT. ON 1ST FLOOR TO BE A NEW T / L 84-SEAT & 94 OCCUPANCY LOAD RESTAURANT. WORK TO INCLUDE NEW WALLS CEILINGS FLOORS AND LIGHTING. NEW HVAC HOOD SYSTEM ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL PLUMBING.
   
05/10/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC /
P1304906 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
M1301731 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/15/13 
FC BOILERMAKER LLC / DOMINIC E TOTARO
P1305012 / SUPPLEMENTAL
301 TINGEY ST SE   
05/14/13 
SEFC 160 LLC / JEFFREY KNIGHT; SEFC 160 LLC; JOHN WEEKS
E83248440 / SUPPLEMENTAL
301 WATER ST SE   
05/07/13 
FC LUMBER SHED LLC / DENNIS R. WOODE
E1305113 / SUPPLEMENTAL
   
05/07/13 
FOREST CITY / FVI 2020
B1304901 / CONSTRUCTION
INSTILLATION OF PREFAB MECHANICAL STORAGE PLATFORM OF APPROX 622 SQ FT AREA STRUCTURE OF STEEL FRAMING WITH COMPOSITE DECK WITH TUBE STEEL COLUMNS ON FOOTINGS
   
05/08/13 
TOUR DE FAT / PAUL GRUBER
TN1300155 / CONSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EVENT TOUR DE FAT 1 36X24 STAGE 2 20X20 TENTS 3 10X10 TENTS
AH = After Hours; B = Alteration & Repair; D = Demolition; E = Electrical; FB = Boiler; M = Mechanical; P = Plumbing and Gas; PC = Post Card; R = Raze; SG = Sign; TL = Tenant Layout; TN = Tent; RW = Retaining Wall;

Real Property Sales Archive  
1263 1ST ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0084 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0086 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
0086 N ST SE   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
1265 1ST ST   03/14/13
$ 5,435,680
CAPITAL RIVERFRONT HOTEL LLC
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
1244 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
1236 SOUTH CAPITOL ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
N ST SE   03/05/13
$ 7,525,000
MR BALLPARK 2 LLC LEHMAN BROS HOLDINGS INC FL 39
 
0050 M ST   03/05/13
$ 5,125,000
MR BALLPARK 6 LLC LEHMAN BROTHERS HOLDINGS INC
 


Projects Underway
Boilermaker Shops
Twelve12/Yards
Lumber Shed
Park Chelsea 
  
Nationals Park
Visiting Nats Park
What's New Around the 'Hood
Food Options Map
Parking/Transportation
Ballpark Construction Photos
Stadium Event Photos
In the Pipeline
Akridge/Half Street
Virginia Ave. Tunnel
Square 701
Monument/Half Street
1111 New Jersey
Nat'l Comm. Church
Capper Apartments
Square 882
250 M Street
New SoCap Bridge
Florida Rock
23 I Street
Congressional Square
1000 South Capitol
SC1100
New Marine Barracks
Factory 202/Yards
Completed
Canal Park ('12)
Capitol Quarter ('12)
225 Virginia/200 I ('12)
Foundry Lofts/Yards ('12)
1015 Half Street ('10)
Yards Park ('10)
Velocity Condos ('09)
Teague Park ('09)
909 NJ Ave. ('09)
55 M ('09)
100 M ('08)
Onyx ('08)
Nationals Park ('08)
70/100 I ('08)
Seniors Bldg Dem. ('07)
400 M ('07)
SoCap Bridge Fix ('07)
US DOT HQ ('07)
20 M ('07)
Capper Seniors 1 ('06)
Capitol Hill Tower ('06)
Courtyard/Marriott ('06)
Overviews
Capper/Carrollsburg
Ballpark District
New Jersey Ave.
M Street
South Capitol St.
WASA
The Yards
Lower 8th Street
East M Street
Boathouse Row


Links of Interest

JDLand.com Wins 2008 Knight-Batten Citizen Media Award
As part of the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism, JDLand was given the 2008 Citizen Media Award. Read all about it.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
Covering Near Southeast & Buzzard Point.

Studies/Initiatives/Government Documents:
11th Street Bridges EIS
South Capitol St. Bridge EIS
South Capitol Gateway Corridor/Anacostia Access Study
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
NCPC's New Vision for South Capitol Street (2005 Update)
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (2005)
Near Southeast Draft Urban Design Framework (2003)
Urban Land Institute South Capitol Street Corridor Report (2003)
Neighborhood Strategic Action Plan (2002)
DC Streetcars (may run down M Street SE someday)

Capitol Gateway and Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlays
Two documents that spell out in extreme detail exactly what the requirements are for developments along South Capitol, M, in the Ballpark District, and at "The Yards". Read also my short explanatory treatise on these two overlays.

Pre-Redevelopment Media Overviews:
A Transformed Neighborhood Awaits Stadium (WP, 8/15/05)
      includes huge map of development plans
The Morphing of a Forgotten Neighborhood (WP, 9/2/2004)
      A brilliant take on the neighborhood!
Betting Big on Near Southeast (WP, 7/15/04)
Hope for the Waterfront (WBJ, 01)
Seeking a Better View On the Waterfront (WP, 3/8/98)
 

DC Government
Mayor's Office
Planning/Economic Development
   Office of Planning
DC Consumer & Regulatory Agency
DC Office of Zoning
DC Municipal Regulations | Zoning
DC Dept. of Transportation

DC City Council
Tommy Wells

ANCs: 6D | 6B
David Garber (6D07)
Kirsten Oldenburg (6B04)
Police: MPD-1D | PSA 105

Other Organizations
National Capital Planning Commission
Earth Conservation Corps
Capitol Hill Restoration Society
Barracks Row Main Street
Marines Community Integrated Master Plan
 

 

News Publications
The Hill Rag
The Southwester

Other DC Neighborhood/City Blogs
SW DC - The Little Quadrant That Could
The Hill is Home
Congress Heights on the Rise
Greater Greater Washington
WashCycle
Penn Quarter Living
Frozen Tropics
The Triangle
14th and You
The 42
Beyond DC
Richard Layman
 




Top of Page | Contact JD | Advertise on JDLand
Near Southeast RSS Feed

© Copyright 2013 JD.
All photos © Copyright JD - See information on photo uses, licensing and purchasing.