Would You Like to Have a 'Zero Commute?'

WASHINGTON -- How'd you like your commute to be the walk from your bedroom to your living room?

One local developer is banking on that idea.

A new mixed-use, live/work facility called "Solea" is coming to the Columbia Heights area.

Jair Lynch, CEO of Jair Lynch Companies, received approval to build the 60,7000 square-foot building, located on the corner of 14th Street and Florida Avenue in Northwest.

"We say very simply that you can work smarter, live better and own it all," Lynch says. "We recognize that there is a desperate need for live/work, flexible home spaces, and a place where we can have a zero commute."

In many ways, the building is a mini model of places like Silver Spring and Ballston -- areas that place a high emphasis on putting residential and office space close to one another, while at the same time reducing congestion.

"We've lost so much of our quality of life by staying in a car, by not being able to interact with other people, by not being able to walk to the Metro," Lynch says.

Both the Columbia Heights and U Street Metro stops are a short walk from the building.

When it is completed in late 2008, Solea will feature 52 residential condominiums, seven live/work units and three retail condominiums.

Of the 52 residential units, 21 will be set aside for affordable and workforce housing.

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)