Captain and Tennille……Rogers and Hammerstein……Siskel and Ebert……Hall and Oates……Sid and Nancy…..Cheech and Chong……Georgetown and luxury condos…….yes if you are playing a word association game with a Washingtonian, it highly probable that they would put Georgetown and luxury condos together in a pairing.

There are a number of factors that have driven developers to build luxury condos in Georgetown and the neighboring West End.  Georgetown's historic narrow streets and active neighborhood special interests groups, coupled with its location on the banks of the Potomac River and its namesake University have left virtually no developable parcels. From a practical standpoint, to deliver new residential housing in Georgetown requires the acquisition and repurposing of existing structures.  This is an expensive endeavor and has driven developers to position projects at the very top end of the luxury scale.

Georgetown is home to several luxury condominium developments where the movers and shakers of Washington make their homes.  Here are DC Condo Boutique's top five Georgetown luxury condo developments:

• 3303 Water
• Residences at Harbourside
• Residences at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown
• Washington Harbour
• Wormley Row

Buyers looking for a luxury new construction townhouse or single-family home in Northwest DC currently have several options worthy of consideration. New NW DC developments include:

1801 Foxhall

1801 Foxhall is a new community featuring 27 single-family homes in a prime location bordering both Glover-Archbold Park and Whitehaven Park. Custom homes at 1801 Foxhall feature chef's kitchens, owners suites, two-story foyers and two-car garages. 1801 Foxhall is located in Berkley off Foxhall Road just north of Reservoir Road.

Berkley Chase

Berkley Chase is a development of eight single-family homes in the Berkley neighborhood of Washington DC featuring upscale finishes and integral two-car garages. Berkley Chase is located on U Street and 48th Street off McGregor Boulevard.

Canal Parc

Canal Parc is a new community of 34 luxury townhouse under construction in Palisades at the site of the now-razed Riverside Psychiatric Hospital. Canal Parc townhouse range in size from 2,200 SF - 3,500 SF and feature dedicated garages. Canal Parc is located on MacArthur Boulevard between Foxhall Road and Q Street.

Phillips Park

Phillips Park is a new 16-acre community of 46 luxury estate homes located on the former Phillips Estate. Homes in the community range in size form 4,900 SF - 9,000 SF with designs currently available from renown award-winning architects. Phillips Park is located in Berkley on Foxhall Road opposite the GW Mount Vernon campus.

Wormley Row

Wormley Row phase two features six luxury townhouses which meld modern conveniences with quintessential Victorian-era architecture. High-end finishes, voluminous ceilings, private gardens and underground parking are just a few of the luxury appointments at Wormley Row. Wormley Row is located in Georgetown on Prospect Street between 33rd Street and 34th Street.

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during June 2010 was in Georgetown at the Residences at Harbourside, located at 2900 K Street NW #603, Washington, DC.  This 2-level penthouse unit was completed in 2008 and is 4,888 SF and features 4 BR / 4 BA.  The selling price was $3.1M / $634 SF.  This is the second consecutive month that a Residences at Harbourside unit topped the luxury market in DC.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Nancy Itteilag of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in June 2010.

Honorable mention for the 2nd most expensive DC condo sold in June 2010 was in Georgetown at Wormley Row, located at 3329 Prospect Street, #3 Washington, DC.  This 2 BR / 2.5 BA 2,409 SF condo was the last new construction unit available from the developer at Wormley Row.  The selling price was $1.8M / $747 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Debbie Singleton of Living Real Estate, LLC for closing this transaction.



In June 2010 six DC condos sold for over $1M, down from eight $1M+ transaction in May 2010, nine in April and 11 in March 2010.
  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.

The most expensive condo to sell in the District during March 2010 was in Georgetown at the Residences at the Ritz, located at 3150 South Street, NW $2D, Washington, DC. This condo is 4,314 SF and features 4 BR / 5.5 BA.  The selling price was $4.5M / $1,043 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Chris Ritzert of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for closing the most expensive condo sale in the District in March 2010.

 Honorable mention for the 2nd most expensive DC condo sold in March 2010 was in Georgetown at Wormley Row, located at 3329 Prospect Street, NW #7 Washington, DC.  This new construction duplex unit is 4,725 SF and can be built out to the buyers specification with 3 or 4 BR. The selling price was $3.78M / $800 SF.

Congratulations to selling Realtor Mary Ehrgood of Washington Fine Properties, LLC for closing this transaction.

In March 2010, 11 DC condos sold for a $1M or over, up from one in February and five in January 1010.  The spring real estate season is in full bloom in the district.
   
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.

The  District is home to several wonderful condo developments whose buildings had a prior life as a DC public school.  With very limited vacant land, height restrictions and an ever-growing demand for upscale lofty condos, these school conversions are a concept that works well in the District for both the city as well as the developer.  In other parts of the country, many old and underutilized school buildings end up on the losing end of an encounter with the wrecking ball.

Common attributes of DC schoolhouse conversion projects include high ceilings, over-sized windows, exposed brick and outdoor courtyard areas.  Many school conversion projects have taken advantage of the ceiling height to create a loft environment.

Schoolhouse conversion projects have been completed throughout the District including Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Currently units in schoolhouse conversions are available at: Bryan School Lofts $1.595M; Berret School Lofts $639,000; Lovejoy Lofts $399,000 & $438,444 and Wormley Row $1.995M

Other schoolhouse conversion projects in the district which currently do not have any active listings include: Carberry School Lofts and Lenox School Lofts.