Construction to upgrade the Hill East restaurant La Lomita into a mixed-use building is expected to begin in August, says Samuel Fuentes, owner of the building and restaurant at 1330-1336 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
The project is expected to go before the Board of Zoning Adjustment next month, according to ANC6B Commissioner Nicholas Burger. ANC6B supported the project at its January meeting after Fuentes agreed to parking restrictions for future tenants.
ANC6B Commisioner Brian Flahaven says the ANC backed the project after the developer agreed to block future residents from getting residential parking permits.
“The developer asked for a parking variance, saying they were not able to provide parking. Neighbors were concerned about future residents bringing in their vehicles,” says Flahaven.
The La Lomita project calls for the expansion of the existing two-story building and the construction of two additional stories atop, for a total four-story building. La Lomita, the existing restaurant, will occupy the first floor. Ten condos (six one-bedroom and four two-bedrooms), one of which may be affordable, will occupy the second through fourth floors, says Fuentes.
Fuentes says the restaurant will close in the summer, before construction, and remain closed for nine months to a year. He expects construction to be done by June or July of 2016.
The project also expands the square footage of the restaurant, although Fuentes didn’t say by how much. “The restaurant is doing very well. We needed the extra space,” he said. When finished, the expansion will allow La Lomita to establish a full bar for the restaurant.
La Lomita is located near the corner of G Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE, and the Potomac Avenue metro stop. The BZA hearing is currently scheduled for April 7.