3DG Announces Ceremonial Groundbreaking at former Bi-Rite
22-Apr-2008

Multi-million dollar investment marks homecoming for local firm.

3DG, a Washington DC-based architectural design and development firm, is proud to announce groundbreaking at its newest development project, 3400 11th Street, in Columbia Heights. A Groundbreaking Ceremony featuring Ward One Councilman Jim Graham will be held on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008, beginning at 2PM.

Long forlorn, the former "Bi-Rite" building at 11th and Park Road is set to be transformed into an architectural and dining destination, serving as a gateway to the north Columbia Heights neighborhood with a striking modern design and housing a new restaurant, tentatively named Meridian Pint, from the owner of Asylum in Adams Morgan.

Local Architectural Landmark

3400 11th Street is a commercial building formerly occupied by a liquor store and a grocery, and has been vacant since 2002. At only one story and nearly 100 feet long, the current structure is low-slung and out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood.

3DG will transform the prominent corner by applying a modern design language along the footprint of the existing structure, and inserting a second story, set back some 22 feet from the corner of the Park Road side of the building for optimum street scale.

The building’s defining feature will be a two-and-a-half story "object wall" placed in the center of the building. This dramatic design element, set apart from the rest of the building by color and material, will create needed separation along the long horizontal plane between the corner section (formerly the liquor store) and the 11th Street section (formerly the Bi-Rite market), while tying together the original street level with the new second story.

Breathing New Life into a Neighborhood Commercial Corridor

3400 11th Street sits prominently at the northern end of a long but underutilized neighborhood commercial corridor. With this project, both the streetscape and the commercial life of the street will be rejuvenated. Meridian Pint will occupy the entire ground floor and a portion of the lower level. Owner John Andrade, who has co-owned Asylum in Adams Morgan with his brother since 1991, plans to offer an American comfort-food menu with a generous vegetarian/vegan section; 20 beers on tap with an emphasis on Belgians; and a wide selection of wines and mixed drinks. The lower level will feature a lounge and bar area, and DJ entertainment is contemplated.

The second floor of the building will contain approximately 3,000 square feet of office space. 3DG co-founder and CEO John Goldman stated, "Office space enhances the mixed-use character of the street by introducing a new layer of activity during the daytime, which animates the streetscape and, most importantly, provides support to existing and new businesses along the corridor."

3DG itself will occupy one of the two office suites, and Solimar International, a tourism development firm dedicated to promoting the goals of sustainable tourism, will occupy the other.

Additional space is available on the lower level, with theater, arts and entertainment tenants being sought.

A Triumphant Return to the Neighborhood

The $3 million project represents a major investment in the neighborhood by a firm that got its start just a few blocks away in a rowhouse on Parkwood Place. Co-founder Goldman stated, "We’re a Columbia Heights born and raised business and we’re thrilled to be moving back to where it all started for us. After working out of our home and then being one of the first tenants of the newly reopened Tivoli, the fact that we’re moving our offices into the 11th Street building, after two years ’in exile’ in Georgetown, is extremely satisfying."

"There are so many aspects of this project that we’re proud of and excited about: Our return to Columbia Heights. Bringing such a fantastic restaurant to the 11th Street corridor. And, we hope, raising the bar for architectural design in the area."

Construction is expected to begin within days of the Groundbreaking Ceremony, and the firm expects the building to be ready for tenant build-out by the fall. Meridian Pint owner Andrade hopes to be open for business by the end of the year, or in early 2009.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Open to All

All are welcome at the Groundbreaking Ceremony, to be held rain or shine on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008, beginning at 2PM. Councilmember Jim Graham, who has tirelessly pushed for development progress along the 11th Street corridor as well as throughout the Columbia Heights neighborhood, will address the gathering and greet attendees.

About the Firm

3DG delivers world-class architectural design and development services to the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region. Employing a highly qualified team of experienced developers, award winning architects, LEED-accredited professionals, interior designers, construction management professionals, licensed real estate agents, and financial analysts, 3DG is able to provide a unique, holistic approach to any building project.

For further information regarding 3DG’s design services or any of our other services, please visit www.3dgllc.com or contact us at info@3dgllc.com or 202-291-3282.