Real estate experts emphasize that all real estate is local, with markets shifting from one neighborhood to the next and sometimes even from street to street.
In Northwest Washington, listings of resale condominiums were up 17 percent in February 2008 compared with February 2007 and the number of signed contracts dropped by 30 percent in that same time period, but developers continue to build new condominiums in a variety of neighborhoods.
City condominiums appeal to many buyers, including first-time buyers wanting to make the shift from renting to home ownership, young professionals who want to enjoy an urban lifestyle without a commute, and empty-nesters ready to enjoy the cultural and entertainment venues of the city in exchange for a smaller home requiring less maintenance.
New condominium buildings often include amenities such as a fitness center and a lounge or party room for residents, and some include a rooftop deck and even a rooftop swimming pool.
Condominiums now selling in Northwest Washington can be found in both revitalizing and established neighborhoods.
Columbia Heights: The restoration of the Tivoli Theater and this month’s opening of DC USA, where large retail stores are part of the revitalization of the neighborhood surrounding the Columbia Heights Metro station, also encouraged the development of several new condominiums.
The Non Profit Community Development Corp. of Washington, D.C. (NPCDC) and SIGAL Construction Corp. worked together to build the Heights of Columbia Condominium at 2750 14th St. NW, within two blocks of the Columbia Heights Metro station.
These two- and three-bedroom condominiums, ranging from 1,025 to 1,400 square feet, include two baths, fireplaces, Jenn-Air appliances, pecan hardwood flooring and whirlpool jets.
The homes are base-priced from $489,900 to $639,900. Condominium fees range from the mid-$400s to the low $500s per month.
Call 202/745-0033 or visit www.theheightsofcolumbiacondominium.com.
Kenyon Square, designed by Torti Gallas and Partners Inc. at 14th and Irving streets, has views of the National Cathedral, the monuments along the Mall and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The building includes a lounge, a great room, a library, underground parking, a 24-hour front desk, a business center and a party room.
Inside, the homes have stainless steel appliances, a washer and dryer, 9-foot ceilings, ceramic tile baths and high-tech wiring with high-speed Internet access. Some of the homes include a balcony.
The homes range from $354,000 to $709,000, with floor plans available with one bedroom, one bedroom with den, two bedrooms and two bedrooms with den.
Some two-level homes with lofts are also available.
The homes range from 616 to 1,243 square feet.
Condominium fees average $375 per month.
Call 202/332-6477 or visit www.kenyonsquare.com.
Fairmont Row, at 1322 and 1324 Fairmont St. NW, are two environmentally friendly buildings with two-bedroom condominiums with 2½ baths and a patio or deck.
The homes have 1,800 square feet and are base-priced from the upper $700,000s to the low $800,000s, with a monthly condominium fee of $323.
The homes have hardwood cabinets, cherry floors, stainless steel appliances and gas fireplaces.
Call 202/588-0858 or visit www.fairmontrow.com.
Adams Morgan: Castle Development is building 23 one- and two-bedroom condominium homes at Kalorama Court at 2412 17th St. NW.
Each home has a kitchen with maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and stone counters, plus hardwood flooring, high-tech wiring and an individual security system in addition to the building security.
The homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500.
The development is about 60 percent sold out. Both flats and loft-style homes are available here, across the street from the new chain grocery store.
Call 202/580-6005 or visit www.kaloramacourt.com.
Adams Investment Group is building the Viya at 2426 Ontario Road NW, where 16 loft units have been designed to overlook a courtyard.
Base prices start in the $300,000s to the $800,000s for these homes, which range from a one-bedroom home with one bath to a two-bedroom penthouse-level duplex with 2½ baths. Some of the homes include a roof deck.
All have high ceilings, large windows, wood flooring, European-style kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Monthly condominium fees average $300.
Call Long & Foster Realtor Sam Davis at 202/256-7039 or visit his listings at www. samuelrdavis.com.
Boundary Street Development LLC is selling five homes at the West Olmsted condominium at 2922 18th St. NW.
The homes have views of Rock Creek Park and the National Cathedral and are priced from the upper $200,000s to the mid-$600,000s.
Two one-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom homes and a two-bedroom penthouse with a roof deck are available.
The homes have hardwood and porcelain tile flooring, maple cabinets, Corian or granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Monthly condominium fees range from $153 to $302.
Call 202/210-6448 or visit www.westolmsted.com.
U Street Corridor: PN Hoffman is building two developments at 14th and V streets Northwest, near the U Street Corridor and Shaw, known as the Flat at Union Row and the Warehouses at Union Row.
The Flats include loft designs with terraces, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. These homes range from studio homes to one- and two-bedroom homes, including some with a den, priced from the upper $200,000s to the upper $900,000s.
Monthly condominium fees range from $243 to $488.
The Warehouses offer a variety of ceiling heights in the homes, which are gathered around a central courtyard with elevated walkways leading to each private entrance. The Warehouse one- and two-bedroom homes are priced from the upper $300,000s to $1,200,000.
Monthly condominium fees range from $333 to $428.
Call 202/232-1997 or visit www.pnhoffman.com.
Urban Land Co. represents the Floridian on Florida Avenue near the corner of 9th and U streets Northwest.
The Floridian has studio homes from the mid-$200,000s, one-bedroom homes from the $300,000s and two-bedroom homes from the mid-$400,000s. A penthouse is also available from $625,000.
Condominium fees range from $300 to $450 per month. The views from many of these homes look down Vermont Avenue to the White House, and the building, located near the U Street Metro stop, also includes two levels of underground parking.
Call 202/299-9923 or visit www.urbanlandcompany.com.
Division One Architects has designed the Lacey, a modern, glass-walled four-story condominium building at 1100 Florida Ave. NW, just a few blocks from the U Street/Cardoza Metro Station.
The Lacey’s 26 one- and two-bedroom homes range from the mid-$300,000s. Penthouses also are available. Monthly condominium fees are about $300 and up depending on square footage.
Every home in the building has a balcony, a rooftop deck or a yard. Four live-work duplexes are part of the development, each with a private front yard and private entrance. The four penthouse suites include rooftop decks and city views.
Standard features include hardwood flooring, high ceilings, high-tech wiring, stainless steel appliances and designer lighting.
Call Debi Fox at 202/744-1007 or visit www.laceydc.com.
Robertson Development is building the mid-rise Murano condominium at 2117 10th St. NW, one block from the U Street Metro station. The 12 homes include one-bedroom-and-den, two-bedroom-and-den and two-bedroom duplex homes with a great room. Monthly condominium fees range from $227 to $484.
Visit www.robertsondevelop ment.com.
At the Moderno at 12th and U streets Northwest, buyers will find a wide range of styles and sizes among the 19 homes for sale. This Lakritz Adler Development LLC and Robertson Development project has one-bedroom homes, one-bedroom homes with a den, two-bedroom homes and two-bedroom homes with a den, some of which are flats and others that are two-level penthouse homes with private roof terraces.
Duplex and triplex town homes are also part of this mixed-use development.
The homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s to $1,300,000, with monthly condominium fees ranging from $250 to $500.
Call 202/637-0102 or visit www.lovemoderno.com.
Robertson Development is also building the Beauregard at 2100 11th St. NW, a midrise, six-story building with 45 homes.
Two blocks from the U Street Metro station, this development includes a fitness center, garage parking and rooftop space for gazing at city views.
Priced from the upper $300,000s to $1,350,000, the homes have one, two or three bedrooms, and some include a den. Monthly condominium fees range from $303 to $728.
Call 202/549-2212 or visit www.thebeauregard.com.
Mount Vernon Square/ Massachusetts Avenue: Quadrangle Development Corp. and Wilkes Co. have developed the Sonata and Madrigal Lofts as part of the mixed-use Mount Vernon Place development at 4th and I streets Northwest.
The homes in both buildings include 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile baths and upgraded kitchens with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
Call 202/408-0007 or visit www.madrigallofts.com or www.thesonata.com.
TenTen Mass, a joint project of RCP Development and Citigroup Property Investors, occupies the corner of 11th Street and Massachusetts Avenue Northwest.
Amenities in this new high-rise include retail shops on the ground level, secure underground parking, a 24-hour front desk, floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood flooring, a rooftop swimming pool and a location within walking distance of several Metro stops.
Prices range from the upper $300,000s to the upper $900,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500.
Call 202/682-0202 or visit www.tentenmass.com.
At the Yale Steam Laundry at 4th Street and New York Avenue Northwest, IBG Partners has developed one- and two-bedroom loft-style homes with large windows.
The community includes garage parking, a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness center and a billiard lounge. Each home has hardwood flooring, multimedia wiring, a washer and dryer, ceramic tile flooring in the kitchen and baths and an open kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
The homes are priced from the low $300,000s to the upper $600,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500. Call 202/628-0460 or visit www.yalelofts.com.
At the Dumont, developed by Broadway Partners at Massachusetts Avenue and 4th Street Northwest, condominiums are available in a high-rise building with a rooftop swimming pool surrounded by gardens, a fitness center, underground parking and additional storage space.
Inside, the homes have 9-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, a full-size washer and dryer, walk-in closets, high-speed Internet access and upgraded kitchens with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Some of the homes include balconies.
The homes are priced from the mid-$200,000s to more than $1,000,000, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500.
Call 202/898-0800 or visit www.dumontcondos.com.
At the Whitman at Mount Vernon Metro, developed by Faison at 910 M St. NW, one- and two-level homes are available.
The development includes a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness room, a billiards room and garage parking. Inside, the homes have hardwood flooring in the living areas, ceramic tile baths, a full-size stacked washer and dryer, and an upgraded kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
The homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s to more than $1,000,000, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500.
Call 202/682-5955 or visit www.thewhitman.com.
At the Alta at Thomas Circle, PN Hoffman is building loft-style condominiums with exposed ductwork and stainless steel appliances. A rooftop terrace and a lounge are available for residents. The homes are priced from the mid- to upper $500,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from $360 to $430.
Call 202/232-1997 or visit www.pnhoffman.com.
Lowe Enterprises, Bundy Development Corp., the CIM Group Inc. and the Neighborhood Development Co. LLC have teamed to develop City Vista at 499 K St. NW, a condominium development with a gym, swimming pool, 1-acre park, a clubroom and a supermarket on-site.
Located two blocks from the Mount Vernon Square Metro station and three blocks from the Gallery Place Metro station, this two-building development has one building already completed. The one- and two-bedroom homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s to the low $700,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from the upper $200s to the upper $600s.
Call 202/640-1302 or visit www.cityvistadc.com.
Logan Circle: In the Logan Circle area at Logan Station, near Vermont Avenue and R Street Northwest, Bogdan Builders Inc. is selling studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes, some including a den.
The building includes underground parking, 10-foot-high ceilings, hardwood flooring in the living areas, ceramic tile flooring in the baths and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Each home comes with a flat-panel television.
The studios are priced from the mid- to upper $200,000s, one-bedroom homes from the mid-$300,000s to the low $400,000s, one-bedroom-with-den homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s and two-bedroom homes are priced in the $500,000s, with two-bedroom-with-den homes priced from the mid-$600,000s to the low $800,000s.
Monthly condominium fees range from about $150 to $450.
Call 202/265-0668 or visit www.loganstationcondo.com.
Holladay Construction LLC is building the Matrix, a collection of lofts and flat condominiums at 1529 14th St. NW.
The building will include retail shops on the first floor, and each home will include hardwood flooring, 9- to 11-foot ceilings, large windows, ceramic tile flooring in the baths, a full size washer and dryer, track and recessed lighting and an upgraded kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
The homes are priced from the upper $400,000s to the upper $700,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from over $200 to over $500.
Call 202/462-0191 or visit www.matrixcondo.com.
At Logan Row at 1425 11th St. NW, Ellis Denning Construction LLC has developed one- and two-bedroom homes, including some two-level models. The homes share a rooftop deck, with penthouse units enjoying private rooftop decks.
The homes are base-priced from the low $300,000s to the mid-$500,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500. Call 202/575-1160 or visit www.loganrow.com.
At the Fennessy Lofts at 1209 13th St. NW, two-story condominiums have been developed by Ellis Denning and Holland & Knight LLP. The homes each have a kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile baths, a powder room and wiring for digital cable and Internet access.
The one- and two-bedroom homes are priced from the low $400,000s to the upper $700,000s, with monthly condominium fees ranging from more than $200 to more than $500.
Call 202/575-0522 or visit www.fennessylofts.com.
Lofts 11, a 27-home building at 1125 11th St. NW built by Taurus Enterprise Group Inc. and Norman Smith Architectural, is within a 15-minute walk of four Metro stations.
This contemporary high-rise building of metal, glass and brick has low-energy tinted windows, a green roof for increased energy efficiency and a terrace or balcony with every home.
Energy-efficient features include passive solar construction, high-efficiency water heaters, heating and air conditioning, environmentally friendly paint, Energy Star-compliant appliances, dual-flush toilets and counters of recycled glass or recycled paper.
The homes have floor-to-ceiling windows, gas fireplaces, natural maple cabinets, imported bath tiles, track lighting and prewiring for surround sound, cable, satellite, Internet and high-definition television.
The homes range from the upper $300,000s for a one-bedroom, one-bath home with a balcony to the mid-$900,000s and higher for the penthouse homes.
Monthly condominium fees range from $299 to $1,100.
Call Realtor Michael Schaeffer with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 202/387-6180 or visit www.lofts11.com.
Citta 50, at 1446 Church St. NW and built by DC Hampton LLC, is a condominium development with one new section and the rest a renovation of an existing building.
Priced from $385,000 to $1,250,000, the homes have one or two bedrooms and one to 1½ or two baths. The two-bedroom homes are duplexes.
Inside, the homes have maple cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances, with a breakfast bar. Monthly condominium fees range from $207 to $450.
Call 301/347-1631 or visit www.citta50.com.
West End: East Banc is building the high-rise luxury condominium 22 West at 1177 22nd St. NW, across from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and within three blocks of two Metro stations.
The homes have floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, oak flooring, high-tech wiring and a call station linked directly to the front desk and concierge services.
Priced from the low $800,000s to more than $3,800,000, these homes have one, two or three bedrooms including some with a den, along with penthouses.
Some of the homes have balconies and patios. Monthly condominium fees, which include all utilities, range from $700 to $2,800.
Call 202/333-3313 or visit www.22west-dc.com.
Friendship Heights: PN Hoffman is building 107 luxury homes at Chase Point on Military Road at the Friendship Heights Metro station.
This traditional, elegant building includes 24-hour front desk services and a fitness center, along with a location within walking distance of the Metro station, upscale shops and restaurants.
The homes, with 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, include Viking appliances, granite and marble surfaces, natural stone floors and showers in the baths, and each has a balcony or terrace. Prices for the homes, which have two bedrooms and a den or three bedrooms and a den, range from the upper $800,000s to $2,400,000. Monthly condominium fees range from $789 to $1,455.
Call 202/966-2100 or visit www.pnhoffma0n.com.
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