Capital Business Blog - Fresh takes on the region's entrepreneurs and companies.

Posted at 12:38 PM ET, 12/01/2011

Group founded by Newt Gingrich sued for rent on K Street offices

By Jonathan O'Connell

A D.C. judge authorized the eviction of an advocacy and fundraising group founded by New Gingrich.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 12:38 PM ET, 12/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:39 AM ET, 12/01/2011

An early test for Vincent Gray to keep technology jobs

By Jonathan O'Connell

The start-up newBrandAnalytics, which recently raised $26 million, may provide an early test to Mayor Gray’s efforts to retain tech jobs.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:39 AM ET, 12/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:55 PM ET, 11/29/2011

JBG-Grosvenor swap condo plans for apartments on 14th Street

By Jonathan O'Connell

JBG never sold any units or opened a sales office for the project, which it marketed as “District Condos.”

By Jonathan O'Connell | 06:55 PM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:54 PM ET, 11/29/2011

Winners and losers of GSA-Metro proposal

By Jonathan O'Connell

Metro’s board is likely to consider an agreement in December. Here’s a look at possible ramifications.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 12:54 PM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:16 AM ET, 11/29/2011

WPP acquires Glover Park Group

By Catherine Ho

Glover Park Group, the D.C. communications and government relations firm is being sold to marketing giant WPP.

By Catherine Ho | 11:16 AM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/28/2011

Post 200: Your picks

By Abha Bhattarai

The Capital Business team is fast at work preparing this year’s annual guide to the region’s largest companies, law firms, nonprofits and other enterprises. Which company or organization do you think makes the cut? Submit your picks now.

By Abha Bhattarai | 12:00 PM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:24 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Source: Penzance lands Watergate offices for $76 million

By Jonathan O'Connell

The company closed on a deal to acquire the Watergate office building, according to Eastdil Secured, which brokered the sale.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:24 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:56 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Instructor says gym fired him after tweet about co-worker eating fast food

By Steven Overly

An instructor at Life Time Fitness says he was fired after tweeting about a co-worker’s fast-food meal.

By Steven Overly | 06:56 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Wal-Mart agrees to fund job training programs, open hiring centers in deal with District officials

By Jonathan O'Connell

Wal-Mart officials and the District government say they have signed a community benefits agreement.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 01:35 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Capital City Market recovers from a bad week

By Jonathan O'Connell

An immigration raid and a fire displaced vendors at the market in Northeast D.C. last month.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 04:13 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 11/21/2011

Deal between GSA and Metro could shape FBI’s future

By Jonathan O'Connell

The next Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters could be on a site near a Metro station.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 11:58 AM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:49 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Living Social expanding into Acme Stove Building in Shaw

By Jonathan O'Connell

The online coupon company plans to lease 1005-1011 7th Street NW, a historic property in the District.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 04:49 PM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:42 AM ET, 11/17/2011

In White Flint, the mall is being turned into a town

By Jonathan O'Connell

A 25-year plan seeks to close most of the mall’s existing stores to build a central plaza with new housing.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:42 AM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:42 PM ET, 11/16/2011

The future of “Science City” clouded by lawsuit

By Jonathan O'Connell

Area family sues Johns Hopkins University in Montgomery County Circuit Court over Belward Farm.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 06:42 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:40 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Old Post Office developer selection postponed to early next year

By Jonathan O'Connell

The GSA had planned to pick a partner by Nov. 17, but now plans to make a selection early in 2012.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 06:40 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Carnegie Library gets new life as visitor’s center

By Jonathan O'Connell

Greg O’Dell is taking over the historical society’s lease to open a visitor’s center in the building.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 03:04 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 11/16/2011

Another big apartment buy on H Street

By Jonathan O'Connell

McLean-based Insight Property Group is the latest developer to show interest in H Street NE.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:28 AM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 11/14/2011

A setback for Anacostia’s growth

By Jonathan O'Connell

The owner of the Uniontown Bar & Grill in Southeast D.C. has been arrested on felony drug charges.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 01:35 PM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:09 PM ET, 11/11/2011

Paterno hires D.C. criminal defense attorney Wick Sollers

By Catherine Ho

Sollers, an experienced attorney, regularly represents companies in civil and criminal investigations.

By Catherine Ho | 07:09 PM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011

LivingSocial seeks massive new headquarters space

By Jonathan O'Connell

The company is on the hunt for as much as 350,000 square feet — the size of three Wal-Mart stores.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 08:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 11/10/2011

Herman Cain brings building owner unwanted attention

By Jonathan O'Connell

D.C.-based developer Akridge now owns the building where women were allegedly sexually harrassed by the GOP presidential hopeful.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 02:53 PM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 11/10/2011

Development gods smile on Catholic University

By Jonathan O'Connell

The Monroe Street Market project is an attempt to create a college main street for the D.C. university.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 12:13 PM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011

District-based newBrandAnalytics secures $26M with help from former D.C. mayor

By Steven Overly

The firm secured $26 million from local investors after a meeting with former D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty changed the company’s course.

By Steven Overly | 06:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 11/09/2011

NVCommercial raises $25 million fund for distressed Washington real estate

By Jonathan O'Connell

The developer says it will invest in real estate projects around the region that have stalled or slowed.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 02:49 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 11/08/2011

Target yanks plans for Northeast D.C. store

By Jonathan O'Connell

A proposed store off New York Avenue NE won’t open, according to one of the project’s developers.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 12:37 PM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Bechtel to move 625 jobs to Reston Town Center

By Jonathan O'Connell

The California-based contractor said it would move 625 jobs from Frederick to Reston Town Center.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 05:19 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:46 AM ET, 11/07/2011

The Middle East bets big again on Washington real estate

By Jonathan O'Connell

The Qatar Investment Authority is a major stakeholder in one of the most valuable portfolios in Arlington.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 10:46 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:11 PM ET, 11/04/2011

GSA’s grand green building experiment is cut short

By Jonathan O'Connell

Bob Peck’s vision for a greener building is now on hold thanks to federal budget cutbacks.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 02:11 PM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:02 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Filene’s Basement to close all four local stores

By Jonathan O'Connell

The company is filing for bankruptcy and plans to close all 46 of its stores, including four in the area.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 06:02 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

Watergate Safeway to close Dec. 3

By Jonathan O'Connell

The grocery store on the ground floor of the Foggy Bottom office building will close next month.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 02:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:52 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Goldman Sachs acquires massive Rosslyn office portfolio

By Jonathan O'Connell

Lehman Bros. withdrew its lawsuit against Goldman Sachs and closed the transaction Monday.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 03:52 PM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Ben’s Chili Bowl owners focus expansion on H Street, Clarendon

By Jonathan O'Connell

The restaurant’s owners recently bought a former clothing store at the corner of H and 10th streets NE.

By Jonathan O'Connell | 12:13 PM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Capital Business Blog: December, 2011