More than a century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt made a habit of walking from the White House to Grace Reformed Church, drawn by its link to his Dutch religious roots. Today, with our help, that Sunday retreat is stepping into a bold new future — this time, not for worship, but for an unforgettable event and dining experience.
The upcoming transformation of a church at 1401-1405 15th Street NW is truly set to redefine the nightlife and dining scene in Washington, D.C. Monument Realty, led by founder Michael Darby, is spearheading this ambitious project which will feature a cutting-edge restaurant and event space, described by insiders as “unlike anything you have seen”.
It’s not a secret that with their congregations dwindling (in line with the nation-wide trend of declining religious attendance), DC historical churches can be desirable pieces for real estate developers and a much-needed funding source for parishes. But such undertakings often run into zoning and legal hurdles and a project like this one requires a good deal of creativity and knowledge.
Source: Pew Research Center
Grace Reformed Church is a Gothic Revival masterpiece constructed by architects Paul J. Pelz and A.A. Ritcher in 1902-03, where President Teddy Roosevelt himself laid its cornerstone. It is one of three buildings that occupy the lot at 1401-1405 15th Street NW. The church sits alongside a 1911 Sunday School building and a 1892 Victorian row house (Parish House), all designated as historic landmarks.
To move the project forward, a subdivision of the original record lot that contained all three buildings into two parcels was necessary, enabling the sale of the church (vacant since 2022) and the row house. This step was key for securing the transfer of ownership, financing, and recording deeds of trust. The Historic Preservation Review Board has confirmed the subdivision aligns with the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act, striking the right balance between preservation and reuse.
The property is currently undergoing a rezoning process that would amend the map from the high-density residential (RA-5) zone to the medium-density, mixed-use (ARTS-3) zone. Fully supported by the Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the Office of Planning, the rezoning paves the way for sustainable, community-serving redevelopment — bringing new services, amenities, and employment opportunities to Logan Circle.
✅ Final Zoning Commission approval is just around the corner – a major milestone!
Putting innovation and creativity at the heart of high-stakes real estate transactions
To finalize the purchase of the 15th Street church property, Monument Realty executed a strategic closing on both the church and the adjacent row house — a complex transaction that required speed, precision, and out-of-the-box thinking. At District Real Estate®, we supported this process leveraging our network of private investors to identify the perfect buyer for the residential side. We negotiated the purchase price and facilitated a smooth closing— clearing the path for redevelopment to move forward without delay.
This project reflects what we are passionate about at District Real Estate®: creative problem-solving that respects history, meets modern financing and ownership needs, and elevates the built environment.
Looking ahead, Monument Realty plans to manage the venue’s nightlife and event aspects while partnering with top-tier world-class operators to run the restaurant- with a focus on serious investors who are ready to meaningfully contribute to this one-of-a-kind venture. While the full set of visuals is kept under wraps until zoning approval, we were allowed to share one exclusive rendering — a sneak peek into what’s to come!
This is just one of three church redevelopment projects currently underway at District Real Estate®. Each reflects what drives us: preserving iconic spaces, solving complex challenges, and shaping vibrant, purpose-driven destinations in our city.
So, the next time you’re out to dinner, you just might find yourself savoring courses at the table of holy DC history.
About District Real Estate®
District Real Estate® specializes in solving creative challenges and navigating complex real estate transactions. The hybrid tech brokerage/investment firm creates a sales infrastructure/ for churches, hedge funds, builders and brokerages. With Frederick “Fritz” Hubig as the Broker at the helm, District Real Estate® continues to set the standard for excellence in profitable luxury real estate representation and sales.