D.C. condo project celebrates building’s history

During the Civil War, the building was appropriated for use as a military hospital after the Union Army’s defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. Poet Walt Whitman was among those who volunteered to care for the wounded at the hospital, and Mary Walker, an Army doctor and the only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor, is said to have worked there, among other posts. A photo from 1865 of soldiers on the front steps attests to the building’s use through the end of the war.

After the war, the building was turned into rental apartments. Now it’s being transformed into condominium units at 1305-1315 30th St. NW in D.C., with original and restored details that connect them to the building’s 200-year history. Occupancy is expected by the end of the year.

“The Golden Eagle team is honored to have been the conservator of the Colonial, a true icon in Georgetown’s historical landscape,” Abduljabar “Jabs” Totonji, the development company’s chief investment officer, said in a statement to The Washington Post. “We have taken every effort to create a thoughtful renovation that seamlessly blends modern amenities with the charm and character of the Colonial’s original design.”

The Colonial has two three-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and 10 one-bedroom units. Twelve of the 18 units, including all the one-bedrooms and two of the two-bedrooms, have 6-by-12-foot decks with views of the Potomac River and Washington Monument. Three units — 1A, 1B and 1F — have home offices, and eight come with a reserved parking spot in Georgetown. An additional 20 parking spots are available for $125,000 each, on top of the unit price, or for $250,000 each if purchased separately from a condo. Seven spots have already been sold.

Unit 1A, the decorated model condo — with two-bedrooms and 1,326 square feet at 1315 30th St. — has an open-concept living area, dining area and kitchen on the ground floor. The primary bedroom, at the rear of the main floor, has an en suite bathroom, a reach-in closet and a deck. The other bedroom, on the lower level, has an en suite bathroom and a walk-in closet. The lower level also has a home office and an 80-square-foot storage unit. At $1.69 million, including parking, Unit 1A is the highest-priced of the 18 condos.

Each condo has a dedicated storage space, ranging in size from 30 to 90 square feet, corresponding to the size of the unit.

Units in the 1305 section are narrower and longer than those in the other two, largely identical, sections. The six units in 1305 do not have decks.

All units have high ceilings — heights vary, but the model unit’s are 9 feet 4 inches — hardwood floors and smart home technology that includes Google Nest video doorbells, smoke detectors and thermostats.

Kitchens have white quartz countertops and LG stainless-steel appliances, and bathrooms have porcelain tile, backlit anti-fog mirrors and LED lighting. All units come equipped with an LG washer and dryer and an independent HVAC system.

Building services include bicycle storage, trash pickup, snow removal and security. The condominium fees for all units are 67 cents per square foot a month.

Preserved historical elements of the building include the millwork around the facade’s doors, windows and shutters. Internal staircases are also being restored, the developers said, and most units have some exposed original brick.

Community amenities and recreation

The Colonial’s East Village location is close to some of D.C.’s best-known historical estates, including Dumbarton Oaks, Tudor Place and Evermay. The Georgetown waterfront offers access to rowing and other water sports, and easily accessible trails connect runners and cyclists to Rock Creek Park and routes throughout the D.C. -Maryland-Virginia region.

Nearby shops and restaurants

Georgetown is a popular destination for nightlife, dining and shopping. Georgetown Park, known for eateries and upscale retailers on M Street NW, is minutes from the Colonial. Other popular restaurants, including Chez Billy Sud and Filomena Ristorante, are within a 10-minute walk. More fine dining, including Fiola Mare, can be found along the Georgetown waterfront not far beyond.

Hyde Addison Elementary, Hardy Middle and MacArthur High

The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines, and the Dupont Circle station, on the Red Line, are both about a mile from the Colonial. The G2 bus stops within a block of the building, and M Street NW and Wisconsin Ave NW, both within two blocks, provide access to additional bus routes.

Developers stress the care they’ve taken to preserve the history of the Colonial, with its connection to famous Americans and events.

“Our main objective in redeveloping the property is to bring it back to its former glory and make it a historic landmark once again,” Irfan Totonji, chief executive and co-founder of the Golden Eagle Group, said in a statement. “This to me is the most important part of the project.”