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There are neighborhoods in DC with higher property values than the U Street Corridor, but it’s doubtful you’ll find one with more pop and sizzle. With independent art galleries, boutique shopping, fine dining (including a slew of Ethiopian restaurants), and highly original multipurpose venues such as Busboys and Poets within walking distance, the neighborhood is an urbanite mecca with long-term investment potential. “The nice thing about U Street is it’s an open canvas,” says Gerard DiRuggiero, broker and managing member at UrbanLand Company LLC. Lively niche businesses such as Town Danceboutique and Nellie’s Sports Bar are finding homes in this viable strip of land.
Flats, Warehouse Lofts, Take Your Pick
On 14th between V and W streets, Union Row by PN Hoffman has turned a full block into urbane, livable space. The finished buildings (one building of “flats,” one of “warehouse lofts”), have a variety of floor plans ranging from pied-à-terres to large split-level penthouse units, and exquisite finishes abound. Each unit is outfitted with Porcelanosa tile, hardwood floors, and exotic granite; many have outdoor terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of downtown.
“The architecture is very unique,” says Michelle Giannini, senior vice president of sales and marketing for PN Hoffman. Many have curved ceilings, for example, and there are several different elevations to optimize views.
From the low $300,000s to more than $1 million.
Easy and Breezy
The Floridian, a new development with sales by UrbanLand Company LLC, is painted with uncommonly festive colors for a high-rise – sea green and bright yellow. Wedged in a key location on Vermont Avenue and Florida Avenue (some units have unobstructed views of The White House), the vibrant building has interesting finishes inside, too. The ceilings are concrete but resemble wood (because the concrete was poured onto wood, DiRuggiero explains, and the concrete mimics the wood’s grain). The spacious bathrooms are tiled in Porcelanosa, and smart use of even smaller spaces will help make those migrating from the suburbs feel like they can stretch their limbs a bit.
When it’s time to furnish the space, everything you need is within blocks. Vastu, Muléh, Good Wood, RCKNDY, Home Rule, and more are a walk away. Need art? Project 4, Transformer, Irvine Contemporary Fine Art, and Gallery Plan B are walkable, too.
From the mid $200,000s up to $1 million.
