The Northumberland, located at 2039 New Hampshire Avenue NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, is featured in James Goode's Best Addresses.  Today, the Northumberland remains one of the best-preserved pre-World War I buildings. 

Designed by prominent architect Albert Beers and constructed in 1909 by the legendary Harry Wardman,  the Northumberland features a unique banded exterior facade.  The lobby of the Northumberland featuring 14-foot ceilings and walls adorned with muted-yellow Sienna Marble conveys a level of prestige that is impossible to replicate in newer construction.

Architected in a U configuration, the seven-story Northumberland has 67 units wrapping an interior courtyard.  Common building amenities include a 24-hour front desk, roof top deck, common storage and a hospitality suite for guests.  The Northumberland opened in 1910 as an apartment building and was converted to a co-op in 1920.  The Northumberland has been featured in several movies including the Gardens of Stone directed by Francis Ford Coppola and Broadcast News starring William Hurt.

The location of the Northumberland at the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and V Street offers easy walking access to Dupont Circle, U Street Corridor and Logan.  The popular Meridian Hill Park is located a block north of the Northumberland.

Currently, two units are available for sale at the Northumberland including a 500 SF studio listed for $190,000 and a dramatically renovated 2 BR / 2 BA / 1,850 SF unit listed for $995,000.  Here is a resource to learn more about and view active Northumberland real estate listings.

In a recent study conducted by Realtor.com, Washington, DC ranked first in the nation for having the smallest size homes.  The study calculated the median square footage of all the homes listed for sale in September, 2011.

DC homes weighed in with a median home size of 1,000 sq. ft. and a median lot size of 2,375 sq. ft. Rounding out the top five smallest median home sizes were Hawaii, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio.  The DC top ranking makes sense as this study utilized state data rather than just urban cities or Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).

Many of the smaller condos in the District are located in more venerable residential neighborhoods like Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle with larger units more readily available in neighborhoods like Logan Circle and U Street that have had a significant number of new developments built in the last ten years.

Its tough to find a better located condo development  than Jefferson Row in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC.  Located on Jefferson Place between 18th  and 19th Streets, Jefferson Row is around the corner from the Palm Restaurant and a just two blocks to Dupont Circle.

Jefferson Row features an historic row house design with 23 condos that were completely renovated in 2006.  Finishes at Jefferson Row include chef kitchens with Viking and SubZero Appliances, designer grade cabinetry and counters.  Bathrooms were finished with travertine marble, high-end tubs and dual shower heads.  Jefferson Row amenities include an exercise room, elevator and common roof top terrace with gas grill and views of St. Mathews Cathedral.

Currently, one condo is available for sale at Jefferson Row featuring 2 BR / 2 BA with 1,767 SF, one parking space and a listing price of $1.199M.  Here is a resource to view active Jefferson Row real estate listings.

Originally built in 1906 as a private residence, the Duncan has been re-born as a nine-unit luxury condo development.  The curb appeal of The Duncan is tops in the neighborhood with a front circular drive, gas side-lamps, an elegantly finished window pane doorway and an original two-story stained-glass window.

Located in Dupont Circle at the corner of 18th and R Streets, the Duncan has one of the best and most walkable locations in the entire District as evidenced by the buildings's perfect WalkScore of 100.  The Dupont Metro, Adams Morgan and U Street are all very walkable from the Duncan.

The Duncan draws its name from the original owner, Dr. William Duncan McKim, a retired medical doctor and accomplished organist.  The south end of the property featured a grand conservatory with one of DC's finest privately owned pipe organs.  This organ remained in the property until renovations began in 2004 when it was donated to the Universalist Memorial Church on 16th Street.  Today, worshippers enjoy the brilliant sounds of this magnificent instrument.

The prominent DC-based architectural firm of Hornblower and Marshall, best known for architecting the Smithsonians Natural History Museum, designed The Duncan.  The Duncan was built by prestigious builder William Lipscomb, who has left a stamp on the District with many fine buildings including the Meridian House, the Congressional Club, the Textile Museum and the French Embassy.  

Finishes at the Duncan are dramatic and high-end with SubZero & Wolf appliances, marble baths, 13-foot ceilings, Brazilian cherry floors and custom molding.  The top floor units have private rooftop terraces and the building has garage parking.

Currently, two units are available for sale at the Duncan, a 2 BR / 2 BA with 1,473 SF listed for $1,125,000 and a 2 BR / 2 BA with 1,887 SF listed for $1,250,000.  Here is a resource to view active Duncan Condominium real estate listings.

Time for a second look at the Potomac Construction Group's historic renovation in Dupont Circle at 1841 16th Street. This Victorian row house, located in the 16th Street Historic District, was designed by Nicholas Haller and originally constructed in 1890. The Potomac Construction Group renovation brings this corner at 16th and T back to life with a stunning makeover.

This project, which restored a dilapidated structure formerly known as the Dupont "Demon House," includes luxury finishes such as Pedini Kitchens, marble counters, Miele and Bosch appliances and bamboo flooring.  This location offers easy access to the Metro, dog park, Whole Foods and the shopping and dining in the Dupont, Logan and U Street Neighborhoods.

Significant $100k price reductions were just taken on the two remaining units at 1841 16th Street.  Unit #1 with 3 BR / 2.5 BA / 2,062 SF and private outdoor parking was just reduced $100,000 from $1,299,000 to  $1,199,000.  Previously, this unit was listed in 2010 for $1,499,000.  Unit #PH-3 with  2BR / 2 BA / 1,174 SF and private roof deck was just reduced $100,000 from $999,000 to $899,000.  Previously this unit was listed for $1,499,000 in 2010.

Our team is available to assist in your search for a new home in the District. Our TTR Sotheby's office is located on 14th Street in the heart of Logan and convenient to all the popular DC Mid-city neighborhoods

A recent article in Realtor Magazine about the real estate preferences for Generation Y buyers detailed this demographic groupings wants and desires.   This sector, who were born in the late 1970s through the early 2000s, has a strong preference for an urban living experience.  Walkability is a key desire for this group as is living in the now rather than taking a long-term view of its housing needs.

DC's Logan and Dupont neighborhoods are tailor-made for Generation Y buyers.  With WalkScores in the mid and high nineties, walkability rules the day in this part of DC.  Life without a car is a reality for many of the residents in these two neighborhoods. Many residents are able to walk to work Downtown from their Logan or Dupont home and commute via Metro to more distant locations.

Basic daily necessities like groceries, dry cleaning, banking and health clubs are a short stroll in both Logan and Dupont.  After work, Generation Y also like to play and these neighborhoods are stocked with restaurants and clubs.  They are also situated near to Gen Y hotspots like U Street and the Penn Quarter.

If you are a member of the Gen Y demographic and are looking for a place in the District, here are resources learn about the Logan Circle and Dupont Circle real estate markets.

The DC real estate blogosphere has been buzzing this week about a Dupont Circle studio apartment listing where Washington Post columnist Bob Woodward lived during his days investigating the Watergate scandal.  The balcony of this unit was used by Woodward to signal his source "Deep Throat."  Woodward would plant a flag in a flower pot to indicate to Deep Throat that he wanted to meet.

It was incorrectly reported that Woodward owned the Webster House unit where he lived.  This is not accurate as the Webster House was an apartment building from its delivery in 1968 until it was converted to condos in 1978 by Holladay Corporation.  Bob Woodward confirmed to me renting at the Webster House " I believe that is the correct apartment number.  Never owned it because it was a rental building.  I rented it for about $115 a month beginning in late 1969 to early 1973."

At the time of the Watergate break-in, Woodward was a young journalist in his first year of working for the Washington Post.  Prior to joining the Post, Woodward worked for a newspaper in Montgomery Country, MD.  Before this, Woodward served in the Navy for five years after graduating from Yale University.

Woodward's career was forever changed when Post editor Ben Bradlee assigned him and Carl Bernstein to report on a burglary at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building.   Upon discovering that the Nixon operatives were responsible for the break-in Woodward found himself at the core of one our country's biggest political scandals.  Woodward skillfully reported on the scandal and over the last for decades and has arguably been the nation's most influential and respected journalist.

Woodward's unit, 1718 P Street #617 is now on the market and listed for $215,000.  This 500 SF studio has been stripped back to the shell and is ready for a new interior.  Webster House residents enjoy the rooftop pool, staffed front desk, interior courtyard, underground parking and bike storage room.

Washingtonians who have chosen to live on Q Street in the District enjoy some of the finest property in the entire city.   This venerable east-west corridor which runs from Eckington in the east through Shaw, Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Georgetown before terminating in the Palisades.  Much of Q Street runs one-way in the easterly direction and it is not continuous through the Georgetown University campus.

Q Street in Georgetown traverses both the East and West Villages, home to some grand homes including historic Cooke's Row.  Condo developments in Georgetown include Sheridan Garage, Gateway Georgetown and Lyons Mill Condos.

After crossing over Rock Creek Park via the historic Dumbarton Bridge with its iconic buffalo sculptures, Q Street continues through the Dupont Circle neighborhood.  Developments along Q Street in Dupont Circle include The Cairo, 1625 Q, Dupont Row and Harmony House.

Q Street continues eastward through the Logan Circle neighborhood where it's leafy blocks are lined with Victorian era row houses.  Logan Circle developments along Q Street include Berret School Lofts and Q14.