Best City Block of 2009: 5th and K Streets NW

• December 18th 2009

by Mark Wellborn

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This week UrbanTurf is taking a look back at the best that DC’s residential real estate market had to offer in 2009. From the best deals to the best trends to, of course, the best listings, we believe we have sussed out the cream of the crop.

While it may be still in transition, the nascent Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood, and specifically the intersection at 5th and K Streets NW, has seen impressive transformation in 2009.

What once was a desolate stretch populated largely by prostitutes and their clientele, the block has become a destination for both young professionals and long-time DC residents who probably never imagined they would be sitting outside eating brunch at this intersection.

While it is unfair to attribute the increasing popularity of the block to just one factor, CityVista will always be central to any conversation on this subject. The fast-selling condo project which fills the entire city block has been very successful at bringing energy and density to the street level, making 5th and K something of an anchor for the neighborhood. This fall CityVista added Taylor Gourmet, the popular Philadelphia Italian deli, to its growing cadre of retail and restaurants, while Busboys and Poets opened in late 2008 and really got going earlier this year. A large Japanese restaurant called Kushi is slated to open its doors soon.

But beyond the growing number of restaurant options, there seems to be a steady interest in the future success of this area. Last week, the second meeting of the Mount Vernon Square District Project was held where proposed alternatives to transform 7th and 9th Streets into corridors that focus more on pedestrian and cyclist safety were discussed, according to Paul Sieczkowski of neighborhood blog The Triangle.

“K Street in the Mount Vernon Triangle has a great master plan in terms of ground-floor designs for retail and mandating a mix of 50 percent residential and commercial in new development,” Sieczkowski told UrbanTurf. “The a lack of old building stock and prevalence of surface parking lots limits our ability to grow until the construction cranes return. However, CityVista shows what is possible when they do.”

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Previous Best Of 2009 entries:

• The Best (and Craziest) Real Estate News Outside of DC in 2009
• UrbanTurf’s Top Five Posts of 2009
• Best Tip for New Condo Buyers: Demand a Free Parking Space
• The Best Listing of the Year (For Well Paid Lobbyists)
• Best Condo Conversion: View 14
• Best Up-and-Comers in 2009: Redfin.com, Streetcars and FHA Loans
• Best Live/Work Space: Fathom Creative
• Best Neighborhood Debate: Is H Street Worth It?
• Best New Tech for DC Real Estate Scene: Google Street View
• Best Deal of 2009: The $419,000 Three-Bedroom
• Best Record Set This Year: Mortgage Rates Hit All-Time Low
• Best Local Real Estate Idea (That Went Nowhere): Inauguration Rentals
• The Best Listing of the Year (For Well-Paid Lobbyists)
• Best New Listing of the Year (For Mere Mortals)

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/best_city_block_of_2009_5th_and_k_streets_nw/1617.