Abdo Shoots for Another Level with its Last Arlington Project

Published in the Washington Business Journal. By Michael Neibauer.

Gaslight Square Phase 3 Groundbreaking Ceremony 

Jim Abdo has saved his best for his last Arlington job.

“This is the top of the pyramid for us,” Abdo, president of Abdo Development, said Tuesday during a groundbreaking event for the third phase of his Gaslight Square condominium development in Rosslyn. “It’s our last site in Arlington. It’s the completion of two city blocks.”

Abdo’s Gaslight Square — so named for the gas-lit lanterns that line the pedestrian mews between its buildings — sits on a square block bounded by Clarendon Boulevard, North Queen Street, North Quinn Street and 16th Street North. Immediately to the east are the Wooster and Mercer lofts, also from Abdo.

The properties are roughly the same distance from both the Rosslyn and Courthouse Metro stations, which means, as Abdo likes to say, you can walk down the hill to Metro in the morning, and down the hill from Metro in the evening.

Gaslight Square’s $27 million third phase, consisting of 37 units, will appear from the outside like the first two 40-unit buildings, but with upgrades that Abdo said will take the property “to the next level.” Those include interior design and "flow" changes and upgraded finishes. For the bi-level penthouses, it will mean direct elevator access to either floor, where only the lower level of the penthouses in the first two phases are elevator accessible.

The buildings feature large, private rooftop terraces with views of Courthouse, light from front to back, 21-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, open floor plans, full-size washers and dryers and very few common areas, to keep the condo fees to a minimum. The frames are constructed of concrete and steel, which costs more but ensures the buildings "endure the test of time," Abdo said.

"It's not an acronym going on this building," he said. "It's my name. It's my family name."

Units in the third phase are listing from $799,900 for an 1,158-square-foot one-bedroom to $1.55 million for a 1,992-square-foot, two-bedroom penthouse. While delivery is roughly 14 months away, Miriam Fernandez, vice president of real estate marketing firm McWilliams Ballard, brought a signed contract to the groundbreaking. She’s already sold multiple units in Phase 3, including two penthouses.

“The first phase, we liked it so much that my wife and I bought a place here,” said Davis, who expects to be under construction within two weeks. “Love it. We’ve got wonderful neighbors. I can attest to the quality of construction.”

Sandy Spring Bank provided the financing for the last phase of Gaslight Square. Akseizer Design Group is the interior designer and Reston-based Architecture Inc. is the architect of record.

See the original article, video, and more images in the Washington Business Journal here.

Old Laundry is Freshened Up with 6 New Condos

Published in The Washington Post. By Michele Lerner.

Washington, while not known for warehouses or industrial spaces that can be adapted for residential use, has a few buildings such as former schools, houses of worship and theaters that serve as shells for innovative redevelopment.

Now the Laundry, a former commercial laundry built in 1926, has been converted into six contemporary condominium units, each designed with a nod to the former industrial use.

The Laundry, at 732 15th St. SE in the Hill East neighborhood, includes a restored facade of the original structure and a new interior. After its development by Willco Residential, the original one-story building has three levels, with two units on each level and a roof deck for each of the penthouses.

“The builders are known for their work in urban spaces, so they wanted to keep the industrial vibe with exposed ductwork and very clean lines in the finishes and fixtures,” says Lynn Tsao, a sales agent with Urban Pace. “They decided to make the ceilings extremely high to maximize the size of the windows and the sense of space.”

Tsao says the builders designed the units for “smart living” by maximizing storage in every possible space. The water heater is in a small closet high on the wall so that the space below can be used for storage. Pocket doors and other sliding doors maximize floor space in each unit.

Bluetooth-synced shower: Although the smallest residence, Unit 1 on the first floor, occupies just 593 square feet, the space feels larger because of its 11-foot-high ceilings and a full wall of windows with glass doors leading to a patio. Priced at $349,900, this unit has an open floor plan with a living and dining area adjacent to the patio and a kitchen with a large island with open shelving, stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and sleek, white cabinets.

A sliding industrial-style door with a glass transom above leads into the bedroom, which has a walk-in closet. A pocket door leads to the bathroom, which has a deep combination tub and shower with a shower head that can be synced with a Bluetooth speaker. Nearby are a coat closet and a closet with a full-size, stacked washer and dryer.

The two-bedroom units, each on the penthouse level, are priced at $699,900. Each has 977 square feet with a 20-foot-high ceiling in the living area and two levels. The main level has an open floor plan with a kitchen, living and dining area.

Along the entrance hall are a double-door coat closet and a closet with a full-size, stacked washer and dryer. This level also has a bedroom with a walk-in closet and a door to a full bath that also is accessible for guests from the hall. Hardwood stairs lead to the second level, which has a loft bedroom overlooking the living area on the first floor. Adjacent to the bedroom are a walk-in closet and a full bath with an oversized shower. Other stairs lead to a private roof deck with views of the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the Anacostia River.

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