Last night in the wee but beautiful Renwick Chapel, members of the neighborhood came to hear a presentation from Argos Group to redevelop the historic Hurt Home into high end condos. While the plans are at an early stage (the city hasn’t even officially chosen them for the project, although there are no other candidates) they were clear enough to draw sharp protests from the audience.
The Plan’s Basics
The current plan calls for the construction of 41 units in the development. These units would be spread across the existing historic structure and a new wing that would be built off the back of the main building (the standing modern addition would be torn down).
A little less than half the units would be constructed in the historic building, the rest would be built in the new wing. According to the project’s presenter, Argos president Gilbertos Cardenas, the development would set aside roughly five units for below-market rates. Because of the building’s historic role as a home for the blind, Argos has reached out to the DC Council of the Blind to develop units specifically for blind residents. Cardenas also mentioned the possibility of workforce housing for D.C. police or firefighters.
The project has already changed shape a bit. Originally it was 46 units with 36 parking spots. The current plans are for 41 units and 41 parking spots (more on that below). The size of the units would skew much larger than normal DC apartments. According to the presentation:
- 11 would be 3 bedroom apartments (roughly 1300 square feet)
- 23 would be 2 bedroom apartments (roughly 1100 square feet)
- 7 would be 1 bedroom (no size mentioned)
Cardenas estimated that very roughly speaking, the units would cost 250-280 per square foot for the below market units and 500-600 for the market rate apartments. That would mean the below market rate apartments would be roughly $275,000 – $300,000 and the market rate apartments would be around $700,000 – $800,000. Continue reading
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
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