What was once a bohemian hangout complete with an underground skate park, is now on its way to becoming luxury apartment rentals. For those who were sad to see DC’s very own fight club disappear, there is a silver lining. The “urban cool” vibe remains intact. This feel was the inspiration for much of The Colonel’s design. The Colonel sits right at the corner of 9th Street and N Street, just a few blocks from the Convention Center and the booming neighborhoods of Mount Vernon and Shaw. The developers kept the original brick facade on 9th street, making it hard to miss. Construction wont wrap until early next year but I was lucky enough to take a private hardhat tour with members of the Oculus Realty team.
Being that this was my first hard hat tour, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Early in the construction process, it is hard to imagine what the building will look like. Luckily, developers has a clear vision that includes all the bells and whistles. The main entrance will be on N Street. Rather than your traditional set of doors leading into a lobby, The Colonel will be more open air. Gates will open to a magnificent courtyard. Beyond the courtyard, there will be doors leading into the actual lobby. Above you will notice catwalks connecting the two buildings and open air corridors. Your first impression is modern, urban, and one-of-a-kind.
Inside there are 70 planned units that sit above retail space. There are five stories with a penthouse level. The Colonel will offer the usual array of studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms, and penthouses. However, each unit feels unique because of the varying floor plans. Touring the units, it was incredible to see how different each one was. My favorite layout was definitely the two stories lofts that look out over 9th Street. These units have exposed brick and are part of the building that has the original brick facade. All units will be equipped with GE Artistry appliances, washers and dryers, floor to ceiling windows- just to name a few features.
When living in the city, outdoor living is just as important as indoor living. Many of the units have private balconies. The penthouse has one of the largest private roof decks I have ever seen. If you opt for a unit without private outdoor space, you still have plenty of options. In addition to the ground level courtyard there is an expansive rooftop with sweeping views.
You can find out more about The Colonel by visiting their website.
