The Georgetown Metropolitan

1200 block of 31st St.

Photo by BoopBoopBoopBoop.

After lying publicly dormant for almost three years, Eastbanc has apparently decided to move forward once again with design approval for its proposed condos where the Key Bridge Exxon currently stands.

Here’s the brief history: Back in early 2011, Eastbanc announced that it had a deal to purchase the Exxon property and planned to construct condos on the site. Most people were generally ok with the idea, but the residents of Prospect street on the cliff above the property quickly became enraged once they realized the building would likely block a portion of their view.

There’s an interesting debate to be had on the question of whether someone has a right to a view (or in this case: a right to a complete and unfettered view). And there’s yet another interesting debate as to the question of whether historical preservation laws should be used to limit the size of a building being built to replace a gas station. Continue reading →

Photo by GW Special Collections.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Did you get your recycling picked up on Saturday? GM’s whole street, 33rd St., seems to have been skipped.
• Hey, Kojo Nnamdi is at the next Q and A Cafe at the George Town Club this Friday!
• And for those still curious: GM’s stolen car has apparently shown up at a Prince Georges County impound lot. Sadly, GM has already leased a new car and to recover his old car he needs to pay the towing fee, which is probably more than the tax write-off he’d get from donating it. Oh well…

3200 block of O St.

As you may have read, yesterday the Corcoran Gallery of Art announced that for all intents and purposes it will soon no longer exist. Specifically, the art collection will be largely transferred to the National Gallery and the art school will be sold to George Washington University.

The Corcoran name will go on as the second floor galleries will be run by the NGA as the Corcoran Contemporary. It will feature modern art pieces from the combined collections of the Corcoran and the NGA. Since most of the Corcoran’s permanent collection is pre-contemporary, most of it will no longer be shown at the historic building on 17th St. The NGA is expected to take up to 1/2 of the Corcoran’s collection for display at its buildings on Constitution Ave. Continue reading →

Photo by Ehpien.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The personal touch is why most of us will never have enough money to stay at Cappella.
• Uh oh, Dean and Deluca closed for vermin reasons again.

1200 block of 31st St.

Every year the Washington City Paper conducts a reader poll to find out what the “Best of DC” is. Too often the readers poll ends up only identifying “The most patronized but not really that good”. So lets try to make sure some worthy Georgetown stores or restaurants don’t get overlooked. So here’s GM’s quick list of Georgetown places he thinks rank among the best in DC in their respective categories. If you agree, go here and enter them in. If you have other ideas, throw them in the comments and try to get some votes headed their way. There are a ton of categories, but GM’s being brutally honest by sticking to Georgetown places he truly thinks are the best in DC: Continue reading →

Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• At home with Jack Evans.
• Fiola Mare to open this week!