Deal of the Week: The Dupont Circle Foreclosure Transformation

• August 15, 2011
• 14 Comments

by Mark Wellborn

If you have been condo hunting in Dupont Circle for several months, the address for this installment of Deal of the Week may look familiar, but the photos probably don’t.

Unit #1 at 1919 16th Street NW was a foreclosed property that was little more than a shell when it went on sale earlier this year. The unit has since been purchased and undergone a gut renovation courtesy of Brian Ortiz, who has renovated a number of single-family homes in the U Street Corridor.

Dining area

The condo sits on two levels with the living and dining area on the upper floor, and the bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and washer/dryer on the lower. Among the many changes to the property, Ortiz restored the skylights on the main level and widened the stairway down to the lower level. The unit has a private entrance separate from the rest of 1919 16th Street as it sits off the back of the building, and there is a small private patio attached to it.

Kitchen

The two-bedroom is one of the lower-priced units of its size on the market in the neighborhood, and we hear that the open house was crowded this past weekend.

More details and photos below.

Bedroom

• Full Listing: 1919 16th Street NW, #1 (map)
• Price: $419,900
• Bedrooms: Two
• Bathrooms: One
• Square Footage: 906
• Listing Agent: Marriott + Schnepp, Coldwell Banker

Here are some monthly payment calculations based on a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4.4 percent.

• Loan Amount: $335,920
• Principal and Interest: $1,682
• Property Taxes: $372/month
• Condo Fees: $254/month
• Total Monthly Payments: $2,308

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/deal_of_the_week_the_dupont_circle_foreclosure_transformation/3985

14 Comments

1. Palaz said at 7:42 pm on Monday August 15, 2011:

   Bellissimo!

1. Morgan Hembree said at 10:11 pm on Monday August 15, 2011:

   Wow! This is beautiful!
   The kitchen looks amazing. Looks like a Rock Star Stone Design to me.

1. Jim Voltz said at 10:58 pm on Monday August 15, 2011:

   What a transformation!  This is another winner!  Brian Ortiz properties are consistently well designed and beautifully executed.  It’s a treat to see how he handles unique spaces.  I hope Urban Turf will continue to feature examples of his fine quality craftsmanship in future editions.

1. CCCREWMOM said at 11:59 pm on Monday August 15, 2011:

   No doubt it looks stunning but when you look with a more critical eye you see the drawbacks - kitchen with no dishwasher and two basically subterranean bedrooms, bathroom vanity with dual mini sinks and the combo W/D propped on top of counterspace because there’s no room.  Still it does have a unique feel to it because of the skylight/carriage house aspect so better than a cookie cutter condo.

1. anon said at 5:56 am on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Looks good but the washer on the counter?  Really?  And cramming two sinks onto the vanity instead of one - bad.  Kitchen in basement and Dining Room upstairs.  Really?  And off the alley?  $350K tops to handle the risk of buying such a compromised property.  It’s value will always be compromised.

1. JimDC20009 said at 8:30 am on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Some people will look for rain on a sunny day. Brian Ortiz has once again taken a difficult space and turned it into a gem.  The living area is large, open and bright; the kitchen is optimized and even without a dishwasher it is a high end space.  The bath has a lot going on, but the space feels large and spa like.  The master bedroom is quite spacious with a quietness that will guarantee a good night’s sleep.  The whole property ties together well.  This condo space feels cozy but not small. Congrats to Brian and his crew of craftsmen!

1. Morgan Hembree said at 9:10 am on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   As far as I’m aware, the kitchen DOES have a dishwasher. It is artfully hidden behind beautiful cabinetry.

1. JP said at 10:50 am on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   There is in fact a dishwasher.  I know this is a real estate forum, but do house flippers really have this kind of fan base?  What’s with the Ortiz love fest?  Does anyone have concerns about how this transformation was accomplished in two weeks?  Are the problems buried under fresh paint?

1. Nicole said at 11:56 am on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Gorgeous!  I would hope they would hide the dishwasher.  The kitchen/livingroom is beautiful.  Great job.

1. Lynn said at 12:11 pm on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Unbelievable.  I saw this property maybe 2-3 months ago, looks nothing like the mess I saw.  Fast/beautiful work.  If it is not already gone, I am going to stop and take an “in-person” look.  Just amazing.

1. MH said at 12:18 pm on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Double vessel bowl sinks in such a small place? Impressive! Washer/dryer in one machine? I didn’t know they made those!! You don’t even have to bend over to load/unload!

1. Mike said at 1:18 pm on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   Mr. Ortiz certainly does have a following. Typically good people who do good work in an efficient manner do. Congratulations, Brian. Keep up the good work. Long live the love fest.

1. johnny a said at 4:21 pm on Tuesday August 16, 2011:

   While I agree that this looks nice design-wise, I have to wonder whether the price is justified given that the unit is mostly underground. Personally I would hate to have bedroom windows that are tiny and just up in the ceiling. And how damp would this place get given that it’s underground. Am I the only person who thinks that this is just putting lipstick on a pig?

1. fpa said at 9:37 am on Wednesday August 17, 2011:

   you’re right, johnny a. we walked through it and that back wall in the living room is trouble - there are visible signs of water damage, and not only that, but as of monday the wall/ceiling were damp and sweating at the seams. when you go outside and look at the exterior of that wall, the bricks are all rotted through. the house looks fantastic, the kitchen is great, etc. but the wall should give anyone serious second thoughts.

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