RSS FeedVida Fitness Sales Office Opens This Wednesday In Gallery Place
Brian, from VIDA Fitness, sends us an update on their new fitness center/salon at 601 F St. I must note that Brian is one of the first local businesses to discover & reach out to the Gallery Place Living blog. It would seem that VIDA’s focus on neighborhood relationship building would give them a leg-up on the competition.
- VIDA FITNESS AT THE Verizon Center Opening August 23, 2006
Elite Charter Memberships Now Available
$59.00 initiation fee
$75.00 per month
Sales Office Opens on April 19, 2006
M-F 10-7
S-S 12-5
Special Promotion: Lock in Rate. Refer 5 new members and when they join, you lock in your original Elite Charter Membership rate for a total of 5 years.
Located at the Verizon Center in DC’s Penn Quarter, VIDA Fitness is committed to being the leader in full service luxury fitness centers. Together with Bang Salon we offer services and amenities that are unmatched in the fitness industry and at a superior quality. VIDA will be a place where you can work on your mind and body to create a fuller more balanced lifestyle. From our extensive group fitness programs to our Zen spa complete with endless pools, Japanese soaking tubs, to over 10,000 sq. ft. of fitness equipment, VIDA Fitness is for you. Visit our website for full details and membership information. Our Elite Charter Membership offer is now available. www.vidafitness.com
Features
• Over 10,000 Sq. Ft. free weights and selectorized machines
• Cardiovascular machines with individual LCD screens
• Unique Group Fitness Programs
• Indoor cycling
• Pilates
• All forms of yoga and mediation
• Group Wellness
• Endless pools
• Japanese Soaking Tubs
• Sauna and Steam
• Smoothie Bar
• Pro Shop
• Bang Salon and Spa
Thanks Brian!
DC Emancipation Day On Monday
The Washington Post informs us that this is the first year the official holiday falls on a work day, which means D.C. government employees have the day off.
This year’s observance recognizes the 144th anniversary of the day — April 16, 1862 — President Abraham Lincoln signed an act freeing more than 3,100 slaves in the District of Columbia.
We wonder if Metro will be on a holiday schedule on Monday?
DC Historic Preservation Review Board Update *Updated*
There is an interesting item on the HPRB’s April 27 agenda: Washington Hebrew Congregation (Greater New Hope Baptist Church), 816 8th Street, NW, HPA #06-xxx, review of proposed scope of preservation work for transfer of development rights.
We’re not totally sure what transfer of development rights means, but it would seem that Washington Hebrew Congregation may be settling back into its old abode at 816 8th. The Goethe Institut notes that 816 8th St bears a similar resemblance to the Berlin Synagogue on Oranienburger Strasse.
The churches & synagogues of downtown DC have an interesting history because of the ownership changes that have occurred over the years. The building exteriors have remained mostly the same, but the congregations have cycled throughout the years. An example from this Washington Post article:
- Corinthian Baptist Church at 5th and I Sts., Bill Lebovich notes, actually began as a 19th century Presbyterian church. Then from 1906 to 1956 it was Ohev Sholom congregation. Finally, reflecting the growing African-American population of the neighborhood, Corinthian Baptist purchased the building in 1957.
GPLiving can now continue where the WaPo article left off because Corinthian Baptist Church was sold less than 3 months ago to the Chinese Community Church of Washington:
- TRUSTEES OF CHINESE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WASHINGTON
Mailing Address: 500 I ST NW; WASHINGTON DC20001-2656
Sale Price: $4,600,000
Sale Date: 01/23/2006
Note: Article pictures are courtesy of the Goethe Institut.
Update:
Thanks to Anon for pointing us in the right direction of what Transfer Development Rights means (view the comments for anon’s write-up). This is, indeed, what is going on with the 816 8th St filing.
GPLiving contacted the (very helpful) Historic Preservation Office and got some more details:
- The transfer of air rights
—to construct higher than the current structure to the height limit
imposed by District law is a possibility available for a limited number of
properties within the downtown area, this property is one of those.
The congregation seeks permission to sell their development rights to
another entity and finance preservation/renovation work to the existing
structure with the proceeds.
Cowgirl Creamery, Where Are You?
John asks us (paraphrased), “Where the fizzle is Cowgirl Creamery?” GPLiving noted back in February that the Creamery planned to open at 919 F St on April 6.
The most recent info that we could dig up comes from the DC approved permits list: 03/29/06 – 919 F ST NW, INTERIOR ONLY TEANT FITOUT 1ST FLOOR AS PER DWGS. douglas development inc
The permit estimates construction costs at $65K. Since the permit was only approved on March 29, we think it may still be a couple of weeks before the Creamery doors open!
Update:
Gal from GPLiving phoned the Creamery and got the answer: beginning of June! Great work Gal. 