The architect overseeing the design of 1319 Park Road NW suggests that the building may be ready for occupancy by the spring.
“I think [the construction crew] is about halfway through," says Eric Gronning, principal of
Gronning Architects PLLC. “They’ve started closing in [with drywall].”
Long an
eyesore, the Columbia Heights multifamily rental dwelling is expected to contain a mix of two dozen one- and two-bedroom units, as well as a smattering of efficiencies. While some units will feature private balconies, a roof deck is in the works to ensure that all tenants have outdoor access.
Gronning Architects’ largest project to date was the renovation of the Lansburgh, the 385-unit Penn Quarter building that offers short-term rental units and luxury apartments. It also handled the recent overhaul of nearby Jaleo.
A resident of Columbia Heights himself, Gronning can and does walk by 1319 Park often. “It’s one way we know things are going well,” he says, noting that his firm’s work is not done when the blueprints are approved by the client and by city stakeholders. “We provide feedback all the way through the construction process.”
According to the website Rentometer.com, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area is around $1,500.