The Current

Despite a slowing real estate market, small D.C.-based company Level 2 Development is breaking into the big-time condo market in a dramatic way, with two buildings and more than 400 condos slated for the 14th Street corridor, along with an innovative sales office to reel in the numbers needed to sustain such a vision.

The two-person firm, run by D.C. natives David Franco and Jeff Blum, has partnered with a Chicago development giant, Centrum Properties, which has been poised to enter the D.C. market for some time, according to Level 2 Development. The first building, View 14, is a nine-story, 180-unit, $80 million project currently in its pre-construction phase on the northeast corner of 14th Street and Florida Avenue. It will be completed by fall 2008.

The InTowner
By: Michael K. Wilkinson

View 14, 2303 14th Street and Nehemiah Center, 2400 14th Street. Level 2 Development is planning two large condominium buildings across 14th Street from each other. The first, View 14, which was the subject of an extensive report on the sale of the landmark Petrovitch building a year ago in this newspaper (“Longtime 14th St. Auto Repair Business Sells Property to Developer,” July 2005, page 1), includes 36,000 square feet of commercial space. At grade, the developer is marketing 16,000 square feet of retail space to small grocers, restaurants, banks and other neighborhood oriented, pedestrian friendly businesses. There are plans for an outdoor seating area on the Belmont Street side of the building. In the 20,000 square-feet of commercial space on the building’s lower level, the developer is in negotiations to install a state of-the-art fitness center.

Across the street, the developer plans to replace the Nehemiah Center, a one-story complex with surface parking, with a 225-unit condominium building designed by noted architect Shalom Baranes. The building will feature a rooftop pool and green spaces that extend from the lobby outside to the courtyard of the building, with units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms. It will include 18,000 square feet of retail at grade, which the developer will market in the same way as the street-level retail at View14.

The Washington Post
By: Lynn Thorne

Tatyana Schum was single, 30, and looking for new friends. So she decided to take action. No, she didn't sign up for "speed friending," hit MySpace or join a book club. Instead, she organized a condo crawl through her Park Fairfax neighborhood near Shirlington.

Now, a couple of times a year, Schum and her fellow Alexandrians spend an hour socializing at one condo owner's house, sharing everything from gardening tips to decorating ideas. They then move on to a kind of roving party at several other neighbors' condos that continues until late in the evening.

"I wanted to meet people," she said. "It seemed that there were so many young, single people in my neighborhood. And they were right there. But I didn't want to exclude anyone. It seemed natural to have the whole community involved."

DC Modern Luxury

Overview: Level 2 Development is a local development firm bringing a new and fresh perspective to condominium development in D.C. Two new mixed use development projects, View 14 and Twenty Four Hundred with their stunning designs and spectacular views of DC will anchor the north part of 14th and U Streets.  The projects will embody a new way of condominium living.  "Elevated Style", with their sleek Italian kitchens, floor to ceiling glass, intimate courtyards, cantilevered projects, rooftop pool (Twenty Four Hundred) and ecologically friendly components such as green-roof areas.  

History: Founded in 2004, Level 2 Development has grown quickly from small rehabs and infill projects to large mixed use communities.  Level 2 Development currently has over 400 units in planned development with its joint venture partner Centrum Properties of Chicago.  

Philosophy in Practice: We are committed to building well designed quality projects which involve our neighbors and enhance our communities.  We are not just selling a product; we are selling a vision, for both the customer and the neighborhood.  

By: Chris Kirkham

Offers to buy Paulo and Pedro Petrovitch's garage started coming in more than 15 years ago.

Their popular auto-repair shop at 14th Street and Florida Avenue NW sat on a spot that was increasingly in demand for development as the District's real estate market boomed.

But the Petrovitches sat tight, waiting for a buyer who would give them the one thing they wanted: a little extra time. They wanted to close the doors properly on their 35-year-old shop, which over the years had tuned the cars of former mayor and now D.C. Council member Marion Barry, former  defense secretary Robert S. McNamara and now- imprisoned former representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R- Calif.).

Neighborhood residents and those who drive along 14th Street between Florida Avenue and Belmont Street Northwest have been intrigued at recent signs of construction preparation at the former site of an auto repair shop.

This stretch of 14th Street rises high above Washington with spectacular views of downtown. Level 2 Development LLC and Centrum Properties Inc. of Chicago have joined to develop a nine-story mixed-use project known as View 14 at this location, with an additional condominium building, 2400 14th St., across the street. 

SK&I Architectural Design Group of Bethesda has designed the building. The 275,000-square-foot View 14 project functions as a link between the Columbia Heights neighborhood and the U Street corridor, both of which have experienced growth and revitalization in recent years.

The In Towner
By: Rafael E. Valero

The Metropolitan Police Clubhouse #10, located in Lower Columbia heights at 2500 14th Street, a unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, was the recent beneficiary of a $20,000 donation that will allow for the expansion of its tutorial programs.

With this funding provided by the city’s newest commercial real estate development group, the local owners of which have established their offices on U Street, Clubhouse #10 will now be able develop and implement educational activities focusing
on music, arts and crafts, along with further expanding its sports programs and the summer camp program, as well as setting up a state-of-the-art computer lab.

“We’re delighted to do our part in promoting youth programs in the community,” says David Franco, founder of Level 2 Development. “This donation is our little way to support the Clubhouse and help foster children and education in the Washington metropolitan area.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to help youngsters of all backgrounds, with an emphasis on at-risk youth; build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults.

Level 2 Development is not new to the 14th Street neighborhood. Just a stone’s throw from Clubhouse #10, the company is transforming two properties into high-end condominiums and up-scale retail stores. Plans include the redevelopment of Nehemiah Shopping Center, which is adjacent to the Clubhouse, along with the former Petrovich Auto Repair Shop property at 14th Street and Florida Avenue. (This latter project was the subject of a report in this newspaper a year ago. See, “Longtime 14th St. Auto Repair Business Sells Property to Developer,” InTowner, July 2005, page 1.)

Washington Business Journal
By: Sean Madigan

An upstart U Street development company has reached a deal with Horning Bros. to transform a shabby strip center into a $100 million condominium project.

The 18 month-old company, Level 2 Development, is buying the Nehemiah Shopping Center, which runs a full block along 14th Street between the U Street corridor and Columbia Heights.

Level 2 founder David Franco and his partner, Jeff Blum, plan to raze the retail strip -- which includes a wig shop, pizza place and a convenience store -- and build about 220 condos and ground-floor retail.

Franco would not disclose the purchase price for the retail center, but a representative for the seller said the cost was "north of $13 million."

Neighborhood News
By: Susan Ruether

What used to be the Petrovitch auto repair shop -- abandoned in recent years and one of 14th street's last vestiges of the bygone “auto row” -- will soon be transformed into a nine-story mixed-use development including approximately 170 residential condominiums, street-level retail, and below-grade parking. The construction will take place at 14th St, NW between Florida Ave and Belmont St. The project also involved nine months of negotiations with Comcast to remove a satellite farm and antenna tower from the corner of 14th ST and Florida Ave.

“View 14” as it is to be called, is a joint venture between a local developer “Level 2” and Centrum Properties of Chicago IL. The project was recently approved in its application for “Planned Unit Development” at a Dec 5th hearing before the zoning commission. The Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a process in which developers apply for additional density in exchange for negotiating a public benefits package.

The public benefits package in this case is comprised of a small number (6-7) of on-site affordable housing according to David Franco of Level 2. The real contribution however comes in a million dollar donation to the Sankofa Tenant Association which will “Provide the funding necessary for them to acquire the Crest Hill Apartments half a block away from our project.” Franco adds, “That is a 48-unit, low income building which is managed by Jubilee Housing; the Crest Hill Apartments risks losing its affordability unless the tenants are able to purchase the building.”

Earnest Springs, President of the Meridian Hill Neighborhood association said that local community groups felt satisfied with the outcome. Of the Crest Hill deal he says, “Their proposal has given hope to the folks there, that at least a permanent part of the neighborhood will persist beyond all the development . . . They themselves are pleased with this which is more important because those people have lived here a very long time. I'm totally pleased with what Level 2 Development has done on behalf of the community and most importantly - they have raised the bar on new developers who now might make similar contributions.”

In addition to the contribution to the Crest Hill, the benefits package includes a financial contribution of $20,000 to the Boys and Girls Club on nearby 14th ST; a $10,000 contribution to the Studio Arts School. Level 2 is also planning a “green roof,” the use of local small business contractors, and a “first source agreement” with the department of employment services which targets 51% of new jobs created by the project to be given to District residents.