After the disastrous Frager’s Hardware fire on June 5, 2013, the remnants of the building at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE remained “as is” for 4 years. Finally, in early May 2017, Perseus Realty (the developer) gave the renewal project a name (“PennEleven”) and announced the start of construction that involves saving the historic exterior brick walls and adding a multi-story structure with a new space for the return of Frager’s Hardware and its Garden Center, more street front retail space, and about 39 condo units with underground parking. To view the plans, go to my article The Return of Frager’s Plus …
As of March 2019, major construction has been completed and about 50% of the condos have been sold. Frager’s Hardware is doing a build out of its new space in the 4-story infill building (1115 Pennsylvania Avenue SE) and plans to open in April. The Frager’s Garden Shop will be located at 1127 Pennsylvania Avenue SE and at the rear and plans to open this month. In September 2018, Perseus announced that a new restaurant–Emilie’s–will occupy the ground floor space at the corner of 11th and Pennsylvania SE. The developer is still seeking a neighborhood serving shop or shops for the balance of the ground floor space.
Below are photos I took to document the progress of the development. Photos/comments are reverse order, most recent on top.
December 27, 2018
The pre-2013 fire “Frager’s Hardware” sign has been reattached to the Penn11 building. Although, the sign is a bit west of where Frager’s Hardware will be situated in the new building.
November 24, 2018
Sidewalks are back along Pennsylvania Ave and 11th Street
August 25, 2018
Or, maybe it’s a cargo ship hauling dry wall materials
August 24, 2018
Is this a cruise ship or a condo building?
August 3, 2018
Shrouded in plastic and scaffolding; pointing of old exterior walls on floors 1 & 2. I’m not sure of what’s going on behind the plastic.
July 23, 2018
Repair of walls affected by the fire begins
May 1, 2018
Topped out and lit at night.
April 20, 2018: Not quite five floors
April 14, 2018: Preparations begin to dismantle the crane. Fifth floor added so most of concrete work completed on the building. Installing exterior walls and windows is next.
March 21, 2018: A day of no work
February 21, 2018: Close up of second floor
January 4, 2018: Building progress obscured by focus on clouds.
December 14, 2017: Looking northeast from 11th Street, showing work on basement walls and columns
November 18, 2017: The tower crane is installed enabling the construction of five floors.
October 19, 2017: Excavation and shoring is well underway. A stationary crane to be installed in mid-November.
September 26, 2017: The excavation phase has begun.
September 1, 2017: The auger in operation. The pile installation process was completed mid-September, bringing some peace to the neighborhood.
August 27, 2017: The auger/drill (in background of photo) arrives on site. It’s operation, drilling to install piles, caused at least one noise complaint. Still, better than using a pile driver that pounds in the piles.
July 21, 2017: Most of the wall bracing and repair are completed
By the end of June, most of the walls not being saved have been demolished. It’s a mess out there today (6/28) with Pepco added to the mix, digging a trench in one of the eastbound lanes of PA Avenue.
