The temptations of city living are many — walking to coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and bookstores; a short commute to work on foot or by public transportation; quick access to museums and theaters; and an easy taxi ride home after a night on the town. Living in the city sometimes means giving up the amenities that are taken for granted by suburbanites, such as garage parking and a private outdoor space.
Residents at the Crescent condominium in Kalorama can enjoy the best of both worlds by living within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and shops, yet with a one-car garage and a charming courtyard.
This midsize condominium building at 1840 California St. NW rests on a quiet, tree-lined street within one block of Adams Morgan. Residents can stroll to the corner for a French pastry and a cafe au lait, or walk a little farther to enjoy nearly any type of ethnic food or shop in boutiques for vintage clothing, used books, vinyl records and contemporary home furnishings.
A slightly longer walk leads to Dupont Circle’s shops and restaurants or to the U Street corridor’s many nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and eclectic shops. Both the Woodley Road and Dupont Circle Metro stations are also within walking distance, allowing residents quick access to most of the Washington area.
The Crescent features a secured entrance through a gated courtyard that links two condominium buildings, both constructed of brick in 1909.
Unit 4A in the Crescent, now on the market for $495,000, is a two-level home with a courtyard view. This home features hardwood floors on both levels.
The main entrance to the home opens to a small foyer with a door to the left that leads into the white-on-white kitchen. While narrow, this kitchen has plenty of cabinet space and full-size appliances including a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a microwave and an electric range/oven.
The home opens into an open living and dining area. Each window has plantation-style shutters. At one end of the living area is a small bump-out in the wall that creates an alcove. The home has recessed lighting and track lighting.
Carpeted stairs lead to the lower level, which has two bedrooms. The larger bedroom includes a private full bath and a separate vanity area with a sink. A mirrored wall hides a deep walk-in closet with built-in shelving. A door with wood blinds leads from this bedroom to a walkway leading to the parking garage.
The second bedroom includes a closet with built-in shelving and a door with wood blinds that leads to a private patio with a view of the courtyard.
Both bedrooms are spacious, with plenty of room for bookcases and dressers in addition to large beds. The second full bath includes a closet with a stacked washer and dryer.
The lower level also has a closet with extra storage space. An additional storage unit is just outside the home.
As anyone who has spent an evening in Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle must be aware, the garage parking that comes with this home may be as much of an amenity as the home itself, since it is such a rare find in this part of the city. However, having two levels of living space and a bit of private outdoor space are also features to be valued for city dwellers.
Address: 1840 California St. NW, No. 4A, Washington, DC, 20009
Community: Kalorama
Age: Built in 1909
Price: $495,000
Size: About 875 finished square feet
Taxes: $2,943.56 in 2009
Condominium association fee: $295 per month
Exterior features: Brick, garden-style condominium building with gated entrance, interior courtyards, small private patio and garage parking for one car
Interior features: Two-level home with two bedrooms and two baths; hardwood floors; white-on-white galley-style kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, electric oven/range and refrigerator; open living room and dining room with bump-out alcove; multiple windows; stacked washer and dryer; plantation-style shutters; central air conditioning; extra secured storage; a quiet street within walking distance of urban amenities
Close by: One block to Adams Morgan restaurants, shops and night life; walk to Dupont Circle, U Street corridor and Metro
Open house: 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8
Contact: Realtor Chris Jones with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. at 202/944-8400
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