PROJECT DETAILS
Location: Washington, D.C.
Developer: Perseus Realty
Architect: Hickok Cole
Builder: Grunley Construction
Interior Designer: Akseizer Design Group
Opened: February 2019
Number of Units: 34
Unit Mix: One-, two-, and three-bedroom condominiums
Sales Prices: Average price is $900 per square foot (approximately $591,00 to $1.7 million)
For nearly 100 years, Frager’s Hardware was a beloved Capitol Hill institution. It’s where locals went to buy paint, tools, and other supplies until a 2013 fire destroyed the building, leaving just two sides of the brick façade.
The new Penn Eleven development brings back the landmark business along with 34 new condominium residences above the ground-floor retail space.
Led by developer Perseus Realty and architect Hickok Cole, the project team worked closely with the local Historic Preservation Review Board to preserve the original façade while creating a new mixed-use development that fits its Washington, D.C., neighborhood.
Mary Parker Architectural Photography
Taking into account the historic context of the site, the team stepped back the massing of the residential building to properly respect the scale of the neighborhood and preserve its local community feel. This technique presented the unique opportunity to build several levels of terrace spaces for the residents to enjoy, complete with outdoor seating, grilling areas, and views of the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument.
The new infill development provides a modern interpretation of the original building.
Penn Eleven provides a smaller-scale version of multifamily residences—an uncommon property type in a neighborhood primarily consisting of rowhomes. This option provides members of the community with the flexibility to downsize while still maintaining access to their neighborhood. Units range from one to three bedrooms with the option of a den. Eight units are considered inclusionary zoning units, helping to diversify the neighborhood and make the development accessible to families with a range of incomes.
Penn Eleven residence represents a new chapter of the Frager’s story and helps to extend the Capitol Hill neighborhood farther south.
