One of the terms most commonly used by Realtors when marketing a DC Mid-city listing is "Close to Whole Foods." 

In our thinking there are two kinds of close to Whole Foods……one is the spring Sunday afternoon eight-block stroll from U Street……the other is the two over-loaded (reusable) bags of groceries on a cold and blistery January night close.

While Cooper Lewis and the Metropole get the gold star for being on the same block as the P Street Whole Foods, there are several other condo developments that qualify for the two over-loaded (reusable) bags of groceries on a cold and blistery January night close including:

• 1441 Rhode Island
• Berret School Lofts
• Church Place
• Citta 50
• Cooper Lewis
• Lofts 14
• Lofts 14 Two
• Logan Mansions
• Matrix
• Metro
• Metropole
• Q14
• Rainbow Lofts
• Saxon Court

Here is a resource to view all the condo developments and active listings in the Logan Circle neighborhood.

photo courtesy of Flickr user M.V. Jantzen

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during September 2011 was in the West End at 22 West, located at 1177 22nd Street #6K, Washington, DC.  This 2 BR / 3 BA 1,932 SF condo includes two parking spaces.  The selling price was $1,725,500 / $893 SF which was 97% of asking price.

Congratulations to Marc Infeld of Coldwell Residential Brokerage for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in September 2011.

Honorable mention for the second most expensive DC condo sold in September 2011 was in Logan Circle at Q14, located at 1401 Q Street #602, Washington, DC 20009.  This 2 BR / 2.5 BA 1,800 SF condo includes two parking spaces.  The selling price was $1.355M / $753 SF which was 97% of asking price.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Alex DeLorme of Keller Williams Capital Property for closing this transaction.

In September 2011 four DC condos sold for $1M or over, down from 13 transactions over $1 million in August, eight in July 2011 and ten in June 2011.

If you are interested in learning more about luxury condos, here is a resource to view DC luxury condos that are currently listed for sale.

Luxury new construction in Logan Circle is one of the most sought after property segments in the entire District. A new project located at 1309 Q Street is the conversion of a four-story, brick-front, victorian-era row-house into two luxury condominiums.

The project is a full renovation including replacing all mechanical systems, electrical systems, flooring, sub flooring where needed, framing and windows. Finishes at 1309 Q are high-end and include Pella windows, Sub Zero/Wolf/Bosch appliances, Kohler/Waterworks fixtures, designer tile including Ann Sacks and Waterworks, heart pine floors and custom crown molding.

Unit one includes both the garden level and first floor with approximately 2,234 SF of living space plus an outdoor patio and dedicated secure parking space. Unit two includes the second and third floors with approximately 2,100 SF of living space plus an open air terrace and dedicated, secure parking space.

The developer is offering pre-construction discount pricing starting at just under $1M through December 31, 2011.  Please inquire for additional information about 1309 Q Street.  Our team is ready to assist in learning more about this project and the new construction opportunities.

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.

The Q14, named for its location at the corner of 14th and Q Streets NW, delivers contemporary elegance in DC's hottest residential corridor.  With just 28 units, Q14 has a boutique feel, yet melds wonderfully with the historic row houses on tree-lined Q Street.

Bonstra/Haresign Architects designed the units at Q14 with highly-desirable, modern, open interiors.  Luxury appointments include floor-to-ceiling walls of glass with sweeping city views, private balconies and designer kitchens.  Building amenities include underground parking, club room and roof-top deck.

Currently, one unit is available for sale at Q14.  It is a 2 BR / 2.5 BA, 1678 SF duplex penthouse listed for $1.295M.  Here is a resource to view active Q14 real estate listings.

Towering over Dupont Circle the way Manute Bol used to man the low post for the Bullets, the Cairo is DC's tallest residential building.  At 12 stories, the Cairo would seem more like Muggsy Bogues in high-rise centric markets like Manhattan, Miami or Chicago, but in the District it is a giant.

The Cairo was designed by architect Thomas Franklin Schneider who was inspired during a trip to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.  He fashioned the Cairo after the Fair's Transportation Building.  The Dupont neighborhood didn't like the new skyscraper and soon afterward the DC Board of Commissioners enacted DC's stringent Heights of Buildings Act to prevent another "skyscraper" from being built in the District.

In its early life, the Cairo was the most glamorous hotel in the District, hosting dignitaries including William Howard Taft, Thomas Edison, F. Scott Fitzgerald.  The hotel prospered into the 1950s, but began to decline in the 1960s when it became a rundown flophouse inhabited by squatters, drug addicts and criminals.  In 1974, the Cairo was restored under the direction of Arthur Cotton Moore and converted to condos in 1979.

The Cairo has been wonderfully restored and boasts an awesome roof deck with awe-inspiring district views.  Last summer the original Terrazzo tile floor in the lobby was restored in beautiful fashion. Cairo condos have significant architectural character with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and large windows.  At present, there is one active listing at the Cairo, featuring 2 BR / 1 BA and 708 SF listed for $465,000.  Here is a resource to view active Cairo listings.

Have you heard about the new mezzanine-level people watching perch at the P Street Whole Foods?  Now you can sit high above the action and watch health-conscious mid-city-ites shake melons, squeeze oranges and occasionally sneak a grape or two. People watching doesn't get any better than this!

For those who like to people watch.....and who doesn't in DC...how about a DC condo with a prime-time people watching balcony?  What could be better than checking out the scenery from your private balcony?

Much of the DC housing stock has outdoor balconies and space orientated away from the action towards the rear property.  After much introspective thought, here are our picks for the best people watching balconies in the District:

Q14 - Tough to top a balcony on the prime-time corner of 14th & Q
Metropole - 15th & P is a corner everyone walks by
Cooper Lewis - Check out who is heading into the P Street Whole Foods
Langston Lofts - Enjoy the Busboys & Poets scene from above

What is your favorite DC people watching balcony?

One of the key attractions to East Village residents is the close proximity to both Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom and their Metro Stations.  With Walk Scores in the mid 80s, the East Village is classified as a "very walkable" neighborhood.  East Village residents enjoy the greenery, natural beauty and serenity of Dumbarton Oaks Park, Montrose Park and Rock Creek Park that wrap the northern and eastern border of the neighborhood.

The housing stock in East Village includes a selection of traditional Georgetown row houses that line the streets of the village.  Some of my favorite East Village homes are located on Q Street.  Rounding out the neighborhood housing inventory are several condo developments including Georgetown Gateway and Dumbarton Court.  Here is resource to view Georgetown East Village real estate.

photo from flickr M. V. Jantzen

One of the most sought after DC properties are penthouse condos in the Logan Circle neighborhood.  Most Logan penthouse listings attract significant attention soon after they hit the market.

Currently available Logan Circle penthouses include a 2BR / 2BA penthouse at the Dalton, 1341 Q Street NW.  This 3 level penthouse features a private rooftop deck and is just a block from Whole Foods. The asking price for this unit is $1.395M.

Two penthouse condos are available at Logan Station, 1210 R Street NW.  A two-level 2BR / 2.5BA unit with 1,660 SF and two balconies is on the market for $824,500.  Also at Logan Station is a two-level 2BR / 2BA +den with 1,404 SF.  This unit features a private rooftop terrace and is listed for $779,000.

Here is a resource to view active DC penthouse condo listings.

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during February 2010 was in Gerogetown's East Village at the Sheridan Garage development, located at 2516 Q Street, NW #Q202, Washington, DC.  This new construction furnished model unit is 1,350 SF and features 2 BR and 2.5 BA.  The selling price was $1,000,000 / $741 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Alix Myerson of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in February 2010.

Honorable mention for the 2nd most expensive DC condo sold in February 2010 was was in the U Street Corridor at Moderno, located at 1939 12th Street NW #501 Washington, DC. This new construction penthouse unit is 1,452 SF and features 2 BR and 3 BA.  The selling price was $890,000 / $613 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Tony Hain of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. for closing this transaction.

In February 2010, only one DC condo sold for a $1M or over, down from five in January.  No doubt activity over the past couple of months has been slowed by the major snow storms.   

If you are interested in learning more about luxury condos, here is a resource to view DC luxury condos that are currently listed for sale.