JCR Companies To Acquire and Renovate Capitol Hill Restaurant Venue – 301 Massachusetts Avenue NE Houses The White Tiger

Before (lower) and After Proposed Renovations

JCR Companies To Acquire and Renovate Capitol Hill Restaurant Venue – 301 Massachusetts Avenue NE Houses The White Tiger

by Larry Janezich

JCR Companies, a full service real estate investment, leasing and asset management firm based in DC, expects to close on the property at 301 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, within a month.  Joe Reger, founder and Managing Partner, has major renovations planned for the corner, which he termed “the nicest patio in the city.”  Since 1966, the building has been at times, the home of a dry cleaner, a bar called “The Man In The Green Hat,” a Thai Restaurant, and its current tenant, “The White Tiger.”

Reger intends to move quickly to clean up the property, expanding the serving space by erecting glass enclosures on the Third Street side of the property and a retractable awning on the Massachusetts Avenue side.  In addition, the façade will receive a face lift, with new windows, moving of the main entrance to the corner, and a white wooden screen panel to shield mechanics on the roof.  The outdoor enclosures will help protect Third Street neighbors from noise from the outdoor dining on the Massachusetts Avenue side.  Reger is considering installation of a refrigerated trash room to placate unhappy neighbors concerned about trash.  When finished, it appears the corner will have a distinct European café feel to it. 

Reger brought his plan before the Restoration Society’s Historic Preservation Committee on Monday night.  Since the property is in the Capitol Hill Historic District, exterior renovations must come before the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) via the Capitol Hill Restoration Society and the ANC   In the open part of the meeting, committee members seemed enthusiastic about the proposed changes.  Subsequently, the Committee went into secret session to consider their recommendations regarding whether the changes are in keeping with the compatibility of the Historic District.  CHRS’ Historic Preservation Committee is chaired by Nancy Metzger, who City Paper reported is the Mayor’s pick to fill a slot on the HPRB. 

If there are no unexpected roadblocks, Reger expects to have the renovations done by next spring.  He thinks it will be possible for The White Tiger to remain open during the renovations depending on the season. 

JCR is involved in other food and beverage outlets, including ACKC, the 14^th Street Wine and Chocolate Bar; also, the company recently closed on a Chipotle’s in Old Town, Alexandria. 

Reger’s past experience includes stints as Vice President of Acquisitions for McCaffery Interests, Inc., and Acquisition Director for Next Realty.  JCR operates in Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, and South Florida.  In Washington, JCR targets “irreplaceable” real estate acquisitions in the $2 – $50 million range.