New Year, new news in the neighborhood
Happy 2021!
In honor of the new year, we thought we would bring you some updates about what is happening in Old Town North.
Small business news:
The long-awaited St. Elmo’s has finally opened at 529 Montgomery Street. They offer breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads and quiches, and of course coffee. The owners plan to expand the menu once the weather warms up.
Not too long ago, Wooboi Hot Chicken and Sisters Thai opened on the 500 block of Montgomery Street. Sisters Thai has an inner dessert bar, Magnolia with incredibly beautiful concoctions as well as coffee. Wooboi offers chicken dishes at your choice of hotness, from mild to fiery.
The ABC Store appears to have downsized its inventory but still has the basics.
In order to make room for outdoor dining, the bicycle rack on N. St. Asaph Street will be moving to N. Pitt Street.
Yunnan by Potomac recently announced it is closing briefly for remodeling and plans to reopen this spring.
After a brief period of in-person classes, the Art League School announced it is going back to an all-virtual format beginning January 11.
New Development Under Construction:
The Crowne Plaza/Venue project has begun constructing the ring of townhouses around the tower. The tower required extensive internal work but the new façade will soon be visible. Venue will also house MetroStage, beginning in 2022. The site will have 97 residential units in the tower, and 41 townhouses. The sales office is located in the 300 block of Montgomery Street.
1201 N. Royal has proceeded quickly, with several stories rising from the former site of Bastille, Abaca Imports, and MetroStage. Occupancy is projected for the end of 2021. The development, named Muse, will have 5,000 square feet of arts space, to be occupied by the Art League. The site will have 90 residential units.
The Bus Barn site has completed two elevator shafts and construction is starting on the stick-built elements above ground. At completion, the project, named Alexan, will have close to 300 residential units.
New Development Pending:
801 N. Fairfax Street – this is being considered for a mix of small residential units
TransPotomac Plaza, 1033, 1055, and 1111 N. Fairfax Street – was previously submitted for a development containing 232 rental and condominium units, 17 onsite “affordable” housing units, 7750 sf of retail, and a 5000 sf arts and cultural anchor. The project is called Tidelock.
Power Plant – a CDD (Coordinated Development District) planning effort is slated to begin in the Spring involving new purchaser Hilco and the Old Town North neighborhood.
