More Than Meets the Eye (right now) at City Market at O Street NW (PART TWO)

Its been a little while since I visited City Market at O, so some of the information may be a little dated. Giant Food  trucks are coming and going, and the buildings are getting closer to completion. I covered the construction and impact that the retail segment of City Market at O will have in Shaw in Part One of this article/photo gallery. Now lets take a look at the residential segment.

The City Market at O 'campus' spans 7th, 9th, O and P Street's NW, and contains 4 buildings (East, West, Hodge on 7th and The Cambria Suites Hotel). When complete there will be approximately 645 units (did we mention they're pet friendly?) The first of the 407 residential units (these are market-rate rentals) will begin to become available shortly after the Giant Food Store opens in November this year. The specially designed Senior Housing, Hodge on 7th, which has 90 one bedroom apartments, will began occupation in early Spring 2014. (Hodge on 7th was named in honor of Michael Hodge, a long-time Director of DC Government’s Revenue Bond Program. Between 1993 and 2007, Hodge had greatly expanded the issue bonds that help finance construction projects and other development efforts for nonprofit organizations and corporations in the District). The final units (approximately 148) will be part of the second phase of construction, if that happens.

The East Building from O Street NW

The East Building, which is located between, the new, 8th and 7th Street's NW, stands out because of its lime green exterior,  houses the new section of the Giant Food store, and also includes the senior living apartments, Hodge on 7th. This is the most viewed part of the campus, besides the original O Street Market structure, it also features the much photographed cantilevered out-crop, referred to by the workers as the 'diving board'.

referred to as the 'diving board' what is becoming the 'face' of the campus located on the East Building

The East Building contains the new section of the Giant Food store, here's the 8th Street entrance

Hodge on 7th, the senior living apartment building is on the P Street end of the East Building, with the lobby entrance located on the corner of 7th and P Street's. 

Still under construction the lobby/entrance to Hodge on 7th

Hodge on 7th features 90 one bedroom, affordable, senior living apartments

The apartments are specially designed with seniors in mind, although on first look they seem no different to standard apartments. Extra width on the door frames, easily accessible cabinetry and a bathroom designed will be attractive features for seniors. 

Kitchens are designed to accommodate seniors in the Hodge Building

Bathrooms are large, have room to maneuver, and with easy access in the Hodge Building

Hodge on 7th will also feature quite a few amenities for seniors to get together, with features like community and game rooms as well as access to the East Buildings pool and gym.

The bulk of the East Building contains the residences and some unique amenities. So lets take a look at what makes the campus so special. The main lobby entrance to the East Building is on the corner of the newly re-created 8th Street and P Street. The lobby sets the stage, as the two story lobby, lined with floor to ceiling glass walls can only mean you entering into a light filled building.

East Building lobby/entrance 8th & P St NW

Re-creating 8th Street NW (view from O Street NW)

The East Building also has one of the more unique out-door spaces you will find in an apartment building. With access from both the main residences and the Hodge on 7th apartments, located just above the old O St. Market is a "park". The space takes up two-thirds of the buildings length and will feature plenty of living greenery as well as ample seating and walking space. This park is visualized in the renderings of the campus 

Rendering from Roadside Development

Still under construction when I visited, the 'park' is a huge space that all residents have access to

The skylight for the City Market line one side of the park

So much care was taken to use original iron-work, or to reproduce from the original. Can you tell?

Another, and much touted, feature in the East Building is the rooftop Dog Park. For pet owners, the City Market at O is a haven, and the amount of thought and effort by developer Roadside into creating this space show's their commitment to their prospective residents. Just a little about this free amenity. The Dog Park is made up of three segments, a leash free running space, an area for people to sit with their dogs and just hangout, and finally a grooming area. The Dog Park takes up one half the entire length of the roof of the East Building, and also incorporates community space for residence to congregate, the views are 360 and as with most DC high rises, spectacular.

The rooftop 'Dog Park' extends the length of the East Building providing ample 'running room'

The other half of the East Building roof contains the utilities and the massive water tanks. Some people like to see photo's of power plants etc. so some are included here of course, but really the special feature of this campus utilities are the water tanks. The tanks service the complete campus (ex-hotel which provide their own) very efficient and very cost effective. 

What is the mechanical enthusiast called? Anyway this is for you

The huge water tanks service the whole campus (ex Hotel) from the roof of the East Building

Reduced costs and easy maintenance make this system extremely efficient

Dear Reader:  This post is not the end of the story. I intended to do a two part post as the campus size warranted, but I am finding that a third post is necessary. The first post looked at the original structure "O Street Market" its tenant Giant Food et. al. This post has taken a closer look at the East Building(s), the next and final post will review the West Building and the Cambria Suites Hotel as well as a wrap-up of the total campus and resources you can go to for more information.

Hodge on 7th was named in honor of Michael Hodge, a long-time Director of DC Government’s Revenue Bond Program. Between 1993 and 2007, Hodge had greatly expanded the issue bonds that help finance construction projects and other development efforts for nonprofit organizations and corporations in the District. - See more at: http://www.wdcep.com/wdcep-news/roadside-development-dante-partners-unveil-hodge-on-7th/#sthash.TEovaRIC.dpuf