Want to Stalk the New Neighbors?

Wondering if your new neighbors are here to stay or just squatters? Curious when they got married or what they do or a living?

Well then e-stalk away with BlockShopper. Here's a link the latest comings and goings in Columbia Heights.

BlockShopper is "a local news and market data service for current and aspiring homeowners, home buyers and home sellers."

Apparently in the last few weeks we've acquired a Peace Corps couple, an orthopedic surgeon, a VP, a communications manager and a creative director.

The sketchy part is that it doesn't seem as though these people volunteered the info, but rather BlockShopper writers just got their sales docs and googled the crap out of them.

Who likes to rock the party?

I like to rock to the party. Or maybe it should be new luxury apartment buildings want to rock the party but they are trying too hard. Seriously, just let the neighborhood speak for itself.

The news that Highland Park was holding a rival open house party surprised me when I came home from work last night. But the ability to compare the two buildings, even with a year of occupancy on Highland Park, made me appreciate the Allegro that much more. Lame party theme but beautiful building. You win!

Photos from the Highland Park vs. Allegro apartment showdown

Live tweets from dueling rental parties

Check out www.twitter.com/theheightslife for our on the scene account of the Allegro Apartments opening party and dueling event at Highland Park. One was good, the other not so much. Pictures, video and an exclusive interview with Council Graham on the way.

TONIGHT: Desire Party... But really they just want you to rent an apartment

As previously mentioned on this blog, Allergo Apartments is holding a wacky ass party tonight to try and rent you an overpriced apartment in Tivoli North*. Sponsored by Grey Goose and OnTap, DESIRE promises you will "find all that you've been longing for." I've kind of been longing for a puppy, so they better have puppies there.

RSVP here. The Heights Life plans to attend.

And then come back tomorrow to discuss... Was this the douchiest party to ever occur in Columbia Heights? Or does that honor fall to that house across from the Wonderland that hosted a weak 80s themed fete last Saturday night? That's right white house on the corner - we all saw you!

*Ha - just kidding. There's no Tivoli North! Hahaha.

Irving Street For Sale Surprise

The Heights Life checked out some of the local real estate this weekend (not that we can afford it - we're just curious).

Along Irving Street we discovered a simple looking tall red row house with a "for sale" sign. We looked it up, curious about prices in a down market and well... we did not discover a simple row house at all. Not.At.All.

We don't know what to say. We're still processing this. But take a look at the house. Like it? Hate it? Ever been in it? We are infinitely curious what people think of this place.

The Allegro's PR Firm Knows How to use a Thesaurus

I’ll get to the ridiculousness of the “Desire” opening gala in a minute, but check out the phrases used in a press release about the new Allegro apartments on 14th and Newton.

• urban residential sanctuary
• cosmopolitan-inspired residences
• dramatic 297-unit ultra luxury apartment building

The developers think it takes this much superfluous language to sell a new rental apartment building? Apparently it also needs a gala grand opening celebration. A DJ, the “Velvet Allegro Cocktail Competition,” and more, is all yours to experience on April 22. There’s even a cheesy [read: strikingly evocative sensual milk-product] website at http://www.allegrospaces.com/desire/

Hidden in all this is the real news—Thai Tanic one of my favorite Thai restaurants is opening up Thai Tanic II in one of Allegro’s retail spaces.

From Other Blogs: A Tour of Highland Park

As someone who remembers when most of the new developments in Columbia Heights were just giant holes in the ground, it is pretty cool when a building finally opens. The Prince of Petworth has a preview of the Highland Park apartments, and his photo from the roof looking down Columbia Road is too sweet not to post.

New Ad Eats Metro Floor

A new ad took over the floor of the Columbia Heights metro station.

Although an eye-catching approach, it was almost too big to digest without stopping and walking around on top of it.

Next, a giant Best Buy tag on the ceiling?

Update: While I was snapping this photo, I met a fellow photo-snapper. You can check out his website and photos (brighter photos of this ad will surely be up there soon) here.