I can’t imagine two things more essential to a D.C. dweller than a supermarket and a Metro stop. The Kelsey Gardens apartments, located at the intersection of 7th and P Streets, had both of them practically right next door. The Giant is literally across the street, and the Shaw/Howard University stop is just up the block north of Rhode Island Ave. The location is in that gentrification border area where fully renovated, newly painted houses sit side-by-side with mangled fences and crumbling brick facades. The Kelsey Gardens apartments, Section 8 housing, had a reputation for being a big neighborhood drug spot and crime magnet. In January of 2007, a man was murdered in the front stairwell area of the 1512 building. But, the apartments were also the target of a building manager’s manipulative efforts to remove residents, as we wrote about in 2005.

Well, that Kelsey Gardens is no longer. The buildings have been emptied out to make way for a new project. (Last I heard, there were a few lingering residents. But the place was basically vacant.) And just recently, a real estate agent source sent me this link about the proposed replacement:

ADDISON SQUARE

Washington, DC
1 Acre
256 Apartments
15,000SF Retail

Addison Square is an exciting example of the redevelopment potential that exists to transform deteriorating apartment communities into unique high-rise mixed-income residential communities. Addison Square is located in Washington, DC, one block north of the new Convention Center and situated in a rapidly progressing neighborhood that has a unique mix of retail, office, public space, and residential lifestyles.

Metropolitan Development worked carefully to create a development plan that included a large percentage of affordable units. Of the 256 apartments units on this 1 acre site, 54 will be provided for low income residents. 15,000 square feet of street front retail has also been incorporated into this urban fill project. Addison Square will contain numerous community features such as a state-of-the-art fitness facilities, underground parking, clubroom, and cyber cafe. Addison Square is another project that further illustrates Metropolitan Development’s development goals of creating successful development in high-barrier to entry markets.