New Art Gallery and Studio coming to 9th Street?

Updated August 22nd: Content (top of posting)
Updated August 4th: Photograph
Updated June 28th: Content and Video
Updated June 4th: Content and Video
Updated June 1st: Content
Updated May 2nd: Content
Updates are in order oldest to newest at the bottom of blog post

Update 8/22/2013
Permits approved.  "Interior demolition and renovations to the first-floor tenant space, formerly Lady Lisa's Beauty Salon, for a new art studio and gallery, to be called "SwatchRoom." The second floor, formerly two apartment units, will be renovated for general art gallery office space, and the exterior will be updated with new windows, doors, storefront entry and metal cornice. The building had been used as a beauty salon since 1956. Lady Lisa's closed in August 2012".

In June a the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment will decide whether or not 1527 9th Street (currently Lady Lisa’s Beauty Salon) will be able to remodel itself as a new Gallery and Studio.

 Now vacant Lady Lisa’s Beauty Salon at 1527th 9th Street

The application also requests extension of the Gallery and Studio to the 2nd floor.(rear view)

UPDATE May 2 2013:  
At the ANC6E meeting on May 1st, representatives of the gallery presented its plans. Under the working name of "SWATCHROOM". The ground floor will have a gallery and studio and the second story will offer smaller work spaces. A typical user, said the representative of 1527 9th LLC, would be a photographer who occasionally needs a place to meet with clients.The aim is to be different from other similar co-working locations in DC and offering workspace for artists would be its main goal.

The Gallery, if approved, is located mid-block, and would be a neighbor of the new Mandalay and The Queen of Sheba Restaurants. No name has been published for the new Gallery. The structure does have a permit for demolition (interior) already approved and posted.

Good Luck to '1527 9th LLC', as you go through the zoning approval. I am sure you will have the approval of the neighborhood.

UPDATE June 1st 2013:

So it looks like the neighborhood will get a new Art Gallery (see below)

"ANC Commissioner Padro moved, and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC6E support the zoning relief for the property located at 1527 9th Street NW to allow the use of the building as an art gallery and to use the upstairs as commercial for offices above the art studio and that said support be communicated in writing to the BZA. The motion was carried unanimously, 7 - 0 - 0."

UPDATE June 4th 2013:
In spite of unanimous approval by ANC6E, the DC BZA has ordered a continuance of the application for variance of usage at 1527 9th Street NW, as the owner and lessee's stumble in their bid to have the buildings 2nd story zoned commercial. The continuance will be held on June 25th (assuming the owner can provide the requested  plans and argument by June 18th) or July 9th.
Basically, the owner and co-lessee's of "Swatchroom" came across as somewhat ill prepared and were not able to put up a strong enough argument to sway the BZA into granting an exception for the properties 2nd floor usage (from residential to commercial). I have included a link to to the video of the hearing, it is a little long but if you haven't seen one of these hearings before, quite educational. As previously updated, the property use has full ANC support, as well as support from the community, during the hearing the DC OP seemed supportive on part of the bid, but did not fully support the bid submission as it was presented.
So, not a denial, but the owner has been put on notice to follow protocol, and given an opportunity to re-submit. It should also be noted that during the hearing, the co-lessee's stated that should the application be denied, that the property would no longer suit their needs, and that the lease was contingent on both floors being zoned commercial.
I will be tracking this story very closely and will continue to update this posting as this progresses through its BZA hearings.

UPDATE June 28th 2013:
BZA grants approval for variance of usage. Vote was 3 - 0 in favor. Swatchroom agreed to some additional conditions.
The Upper Floor will become residential use, and the studio/gallery will take up the lower floor.
Here is a video clip of the hearing, the clip is a little under 15 minutes long, and lays out the conditions that SwatchRoom will be working under, as well as testimony by ANC6E01 commissioner Alex Padro in support.


Good News for Shaw and 9th Street NW growth. So YES 9th Street NW gets a new Art Gallery.


Update 8/4/2013

Demolition/construction begins in earnest - roof replacement