Linked up: Coming Soon

More buzz on the 2010 newcomers to the East End's Asian dining scene.

• Ruth Samuelson explains that Kushi should arrive at City Vista by April as the contract with Eden's and Avant devised with financial incentive to do so. [WCP Housing Complex]
  
• WBJ checks in with Wagamama for a status update on their 2010 opening in Penn Quarter (418 7th Street NW). FWIW, the corporate website suggests September 2010. [WBJ Top Shelf]

As we mentioned on Monday, Ming's is another Asian dining option poised to enter the mix in 2010.

Y&H: A Very Early Look at Kushi at CityVista

Tim Carman of the Washington City Paper's Young & Hungry column shares a series of photos from a recent walkthrough of Kushi at City Vista. The restaurant, which will offer sushi and izakaya, is in the early stages of buildout and has a Spring 2010 ETA.

Kushi Construction has Begun

by KimFromTheK

According to the restaurant's blog, the buildout of Kushi at The K at City Vista is underway:


There is also a concept sketch of what the exterior might look like:

Google Earth 1999 - part three

The Google Earth tool has a feature that displays historical satellite images from selected points in time. I thought it would be interesting to review images from last decade that pre-date all the new construction development we see today.

Not surprisingly much of what existed in 1999 was surface parking lots. But there are structures visible on many of these sites. Where these vacant buildings or did they host residences or businesses. Feel free to share the 411 in the comments.

Yale Lofts Condominiums:

555 Mass and Hampton Inn:

City Vista:

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

Reuters newswire highlights City Vista K

The Reuters newswire featured an article today on the brisk sales at the City Vista K. The article referred to City Vista's #1 placement in the McWilliams-Ballard study on the DC regions top selling condos the first six months of 2009.

"Despite a very challenging economy, buyers continue to be attracted by CityVista's high quality, modern condominiums, great variety of ground floor amenities, and the chance to live in an urban setting that offers so much open park space," noted Joe Carrol, assistant vice president of Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group.

In 2007, the project won Delta Associates' prestigious award for Best Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Impact Condominium Community for the critical role it has played in the revitalization of the Mount Vernon Triangle. In 2008, CityVista was named the best Multifamily Project by the Washington Business Journal.

Art Vista '09 a success

Susan Anthony of Sawmill Marketing Public Relations shared the following recap of Thursday night's Art Vista '09 Event:

Nearly 300 guests attended last night's art exhibit by seven Corcoran College of Art & Design alumni hosted by CityVista, 5th and L Street, NW . To enjoy a glimpse of the exhibit visit http://tinyurl.com/ygpomcc. In appreciation, Lowe Enterprises has made a donation to the Corcoran student scholarship fund.

Could the DuMont be condos once again?

UrbanTurf recently partnered with McWilliams-Ballard to publish a 5 part series on the state of the new construction DC Condo Market. The series highlighted the performance of various submarkets and top selling buildings in the DC area.

Several of the conclusions presented in the series proved favorable for the Mount Vernon Triangle. Our neighborhood sported 3 of the top 12 fastest selling condo buildings in the DC area with City Vista K earning the top honors. New construction inventory in the Triangle, at the current velocity of sales, was also determined to be the second lowest among submarkets at just 11 months.

Could the rapidly depleting inventory in our neighborhood increase the likelihood that new ownership for the DuMont could once again market the property as condos?

Art Vista '09 this Thursday

To RSVP for this event click [here].

Pets of Mount Vernon Triangle: Volume 3

The third installment of our Pets of Mount Vernon Triangle feature showcases more neighborhood canines.


Shareem from the City Vista L sent in the following:
These are our mini goldendoodles Balki and Bongo. They are best friends, brothers, and littermates. :) Bongo and Balki are the sweetest dogs ever; we think of them like our family.  This pictures is after they got a bath and groomed - they weren't too happy.


Ouisey is a 2 year old Boston Terrier. She loves to play with her best canine friend, Sarkozy, and all the other dogs at the Madrigal Lofts. Other than her numerous toys, Ouisey's favorite things include cottage cheese, eating sand, playing tug of war, a warm lap, Roosevelt Island, sleeping under the covers, and chicken.

Pets of Mount Vernon Triangle: Volume 2

The second installment of our Pets of Mount Vernon Triangle feature continues with the one cat and one dog format.


Georgie was rescued off the street in 2004. He was found abandoned -declawed and only having one eye.  An animal rescue worker took Georgie out of the shelter and fostered him until he found his permanent home with Janine in 2005. Georgie lives at City Vista L with Janine and an adopted feline sister named Gracie.


Harvey, poking his head out of a sweater in the picture above, also lives at the City Vista L with Sara.

Edens and Avant press release on Taylor Deli

Yesterday Edens and Avant widely distributed a press release announcing Taylor Gourmet Deli will become a new tenant at City Vista. While the cat had already been out of the bag for over 3 weeks it is still interesting to read quotes directly from the source.

Washington , D.C. July 21, 2009 – D.C.'s most distinctive Italian hoagie is about to get more accessible. Taylor Gourmet Deli, recently named in the Top 50 D.C. Restaurants by Washington City Paper, will open a second location at CityVista in Mount Vernon Triangle in early 2010. The restaurant will join recently announced Kushi, a Japanese-style restaurant opening at CityVista in the fall.

“If you live or work in Mount Vernon Triangle, you expect your retail and restaurants to be creative, where the experience is as well crafted as the product,” commented Steve Boyle, Edens & Avant Managing Director. “Taylor is a great example of our vision for CityVista, which is to deliver something different and innovative that showcases the local restaurant and retail expertise.”

From the hand-selected ingredients to the layout of the interior space, Taylor is not your typical sandwich shop. Rolls couriered daily from Philadelphia's Sarcone's Bakery, meats and cheeses from Italy, and house-roasted turkey are signatures of their hoagies. Paired with the deli is an extensive Italian market featuring imported and domestic cured meats, a variety of cheeses and pasta, as well as other delicacies.

The passion and forethought owners Casey Patten and Dave Mazza have poured into the restaurant are noticeable – from price points to the green-friendly business model. Perusing the Italian Market, shoppers will find wines representing all regions of Italy under $30. Taylor will be powered 100 percent by wind-generated energy,

“We are extremely excited to be opening our second store in CityVista. We love the area, and the surrounding businesses,” commented Patten. “Our CityVista location will have a 16-foot roll-up door, patio seating and a rustic feel geared toward this market.”

City Vista retail progress

A City Vista reader sent me this photo of a plan for the signature garage door at Taylor Gourmet.



Also Kushi has begun applying for their liquor license:

Posting Date: July 10, 2009
Petition Date: August 24, 2009
Hearing Date: September 8, 2009
License No.: ABRA-082439
Licensee: Izakaaya, LLC.
Trade Name: Kushi Izakaya
License Class: Retail Class “C” Restaurant
Address: 465 K Street, NW
Contact: Michael Fonseca, 202-625-7700
WARD 6 ANC 6C SMD 6C01

NATURE OF OPERATION
New Japanese restaurant serving sushi and tapas (inside seats 110) and summer garden with 60 seats for patrons. Occupancy load of 170.

HOURS OF OPERATION AND SALES/SERVICE/CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Sunday 11 am – 12 am, Monday through Thursday 11 am – 2 am, and
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 am

SUMMER GARDEN HOURS OF OPERATION AND
SALES/SERVICE/CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Sunday 11 am – 12 am, Monday through Thursday 11 am – 2 am, and
Friday & Saturday 11 am – 3 am

Kushi builds web presence

In mid-May we learned that a new Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant named Kushi signed a lease a City Vista. I've discovered that Kushi has begun to build an online presence with a website (www.eatkushi.com) and facebook page.


The website states the restaurant will open in the late 2009 / early 2010 timeframe.

Would signature Taylor facade fit in well at City Vista?

Yesterday the big news finally broke that Taylor Gourmet Deli will be coming to City Vista this fall. Today I put it out to all of you - would the signage and signature garage door from their H Street NE location fit in at City Vista?




Also, it's worth noting Eden's and Avant updated their City Vista site map last night:


Notice that while E&A doesn't yet merge Bay 70 into Busboys they have consolidated Bays 120 and 130 together into one ~3550sf space. Also appears that Chevy Chase did not lease all of Bay 20 leaving another small unnumbered vacant bay beside it.

Taylor Gourmet Deli coming to City Vista

The Prince of Petworth blog broke the news today that Taylor Gourmet Deli will be locating to City Vista. I had heard these negotiations were under way back in late February but was asked to keep it on the hush until the deal was executed.

The below modified image represents the City Vista retail updated plat map as I understand it. Kushi is consolidating what was once bays 90,100 and 110 into a revised bay 100 that just shy of 4000 sf. In the worst kept secret in the world, waitresses even openly talk about it when I'm there, Busboys will eventually expand to take much but not all of Bay 70. The remainder of Bay 70 plus all of Bay 80 will be the space Taylor is taking.



This leaves Bays 120 and 130 available for lease and it's likely Eden's and Avant has some active discussions on a restaurant for those spaces. Eventually Bay 50, which currently houses the City Vista Sales Center, will also be filled by a services oriented retail tenant.

To learn more about Taylor Deli visit the reviews on Yelp. I'm looking forward to being able to stroll over to Taylor for a chicken cutlet hoagie and fried risotto balls.

Linked up: Banners, video tours and downtown

City Vista - Washingtonian posts a video tour of a City Vista unit. DCMetrocentric pontificates about the banners along City Vista's 5th Street facade while one of their readers disses the pool in the comments section.

Downtown - Miles Groves recaps the June DNA meeting and asks for feedback regarding the possibility of residential buildings joining the Downtown BID.

History of Jazz Concert at City Vista Green

Things to Do DC is having a Jazz event next Wednesday night, June 17th, on the City Vista Green. The event will run from 7:15pm-9:30pm and tickets may be purchased for $20.

NEW EVENT: History of Jazz Concert

Jazz, n. (1) American Music characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and contrapuntal ensemble playing; (2) American music provoking a serious good time!

Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Rickie Lee Jones! In a single evening, we will hear the finest of these and more jazz greats as we explore this American timeless classic. We will travel from the beat of ragtime syncopation and driving brass bands to soaring choirs mixed with field hollers and the deep down growl of the blues. We will journey to the Cotton Clubs, to Swing and Big Band and to the modern era.

TTD offers a private concert and lesson for its members from one of the best local jazz bands around - with a special look into the history of Jazz. We will hear the most adored classics from each selective period that shaped jazz from the early 19th Century into the Modern era.

Among the breakdown:

1. Pre Civil War: Folk music and plantation songs begin the early foundation of jazz
   
2. Late 1800's: Blues develops and is complete by 1910
   
3. 1890's: Ragtime develops and is the most popular music in America
   
4. 1900's: Marching band music, Ragtime and the Blues begin to be fused into early Jazz roots
   
5. 1930's: Swing music brings Jazz to a new high in popularity
   
6. 1940's: The age of Bebop begins
   
7. 1950's: Hard Bop or Funk and Cool Jazz take over
   
8. 1960's: Modal and Free Jazz find followers
   
9. 1970's: Jazz fuses with one of its derivatives (Rock) to form Jazz-Rock or Fusion
   
10. 1980's : Contemporary Jazz age begins
    
11. 1990's: Hard Bop revival

Each period will begin with an introductory discussion to illustrate particular styles and composers.

WBJ: CityVista signs new sushi eatery from Ridgewells chef

The Washington Business Journal confirms the news that Kushi is coming to City Vista:

The concept comes from chef Darren Norris, who worked with retail real estate broker Tom Papadopoulos to secure a 4,000-square-foot location at 465 K St. NW, as part of the City Vista development. The new eatery will be named Kushi.

Norris, who has spent 25 years as a chef, most recently as executive chef for Ridgewells Caterers, is teaming up with partner Yoshihisa Ota, a well-known Tokyo chef. Ota, who will replace himself at his restaurant Ginza Gakyu, will provide a direct connection to Tokyo’s fish market.

Norris was inspired to open a Japanese restaurant partly because his wife, designer Ari Kushimoto, is Japanese. Izakayas have become trendy recently in Los Angeles and New York.

Kushi coming to City Vista

Amanda from Metrocurean is reporting that a new Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant called Kushi will lease 4,000 sf at City Vista. I too have heard that Edens and Avant had been in talks with Kushi for months.

City Peek includes the press release:

Darren Lee Norris and Ari Kushimoto Norris have signed a deal for a 4000 sq. ft. space at 645 465 K St NW in the City Vista building for a Japanese Izakaya style pub. Chef Norris was most recently Executive Chef of Ridgewells Caterers of Bethesda MD.

"Kushi Restaurant" will feature Kushiyaki and sushi as well as other regional Japanese specialties with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable products.

Center piece of the open kitchen design will be the Kushi grills, where simply seasoned skewers of meats, seafood, poultry, and vegetables are grilled over open flames, and a robata fire pit for grilling whole fish and larger cuts of meats.

At the KUSHI Sushi Bar, Sushi Chef Yoshihisa Ota, chef/owner of the highly acclaimed Tokyo restaurant Ginza Gakyu. Chef Ota is well known as a rising star in the Tokyo sushi circles and is expected to bring a fresh new direction in sushi to the Washington dining scene. The Kushi/Ginza Gakyu partnership is the first and only outpost of a Tokyo sushi restaurant in the Washington, DC area.

At the bar look for exclusive small batch sakes, shochus, and Japanese micro brew beers on tap. The restaurant will also feature several private kotatsu dining rooms and a refrigerated glass enclosed fish prep room.

I believe Kushi will occupy Bays 90, 100 & 110.

Hat Tip: Steven

T-Mobile signs lease at City Vista

Commercial real estate firm Edens and Avant (E&A) recently executed a lease with T-Mobile to be a future tenant at City Vista. When E&A purchased the portfolio of City Vista retail space from Lowe Enterprises last December this negotiations with the celluar provider were already well under way. The lease is for Bay 30 which is ~1500sf situated on Fifth Street between Chevy Chase Bank and Ace Hardware. No permits have been posted and I do not yet have any idea on ETA.



The City Vista retail along Fifth Street will remain services oriented. I believe contractual obligations with Safeway do not permit competing food uses at City Vista within a certain radius from the Safeway main entrance.

The plans continue for City Vista's K Street frontage to be a restaurant row. The retail bays along K, with their large windows, 22 foot ceilings and plaza sidewalks are well suited for restaurants. Negotiations with restaurant tenants for K Street are ongoing and this blog will report the news when deals are executed. In this economic climate deals move slowly but, as I've previously written, down the road we could expect 3 or 4 additional restaurants in the K Street space.