Some time ago, George’s Carryout left its longtime digs on 14th Street below Florida Avenue, leaving room for crazy Brightest Young Things art parties. And this morning, U Street Girl noticed that Mercadito Ramos had picked up stakes as well. Tenants leaving the same building in a good location can only mean one thing: Someone’s bought the property, and has bigger plans for it.

Sure enough, 14th and R Street LLC secured title to 2213 – 2217 14th Street NW in early March (property records show that they bought the building for $4.7 million in 2003, but a recent quitclaim deed made some technical corrections). The mailing address is Dupont Italian Kitchen, and part owner Michael Askarinam—-also the guy behind a new Tex-Mex restaurant across the street, along with his brother—-confirms that they’re signing leases with new retail tenants this week. After some renovation, but not wholesale demolition, the second and third floors will become offices.

Sandwiched between 14W and Douglas Development’s upcoming 2221 14th Street project, that’s block’s going to look quite a bit different a year from now.