Anacostia Waterfront Real Estate

The Anacostia River is a precious resource lying at steps from the nation's Capital. In recent years the neighborhoods along this waterway have experienced a major transformation and are blossoming into DC's most sought after corridor for 21st century urban living.

The waterfront area along the Anacostia includes approximately 2,000 acres and includes the Southwest Waterfront, Capitol Riverfront, Popular Point, Hill East and Kenilworth/Parkside neighborhood. Major infrastructure developments in this area include the Anacostia Riverwalk, Anacostia Metro Station, Washington Canal Park, Kingman Island and Marvin Gaye Park.  Read more about Anacostia Waterfront real estate.  

Anacostia Waterfront Homes & Condos For Sale

More About Anacostia Waterfront Real Estate

The transformation of the Anacostia Waterfront area has been nothing short of remarkable. Significant investment in public infrastructure has helped accelerate this revival. Popular attractions in the area include:

Anacostia Riverwalk

The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System is a 20-mile interconnected system of bicycle and pedestrian paths, extending along both sides of the river from the National Arboretum to the Tidal Basin. The trail links 1,200 acres of green spaces, including more than 100 acres of newly created public parks, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.

Hill East District

Plans are underway to improve the long-neglected and largely vacant Reservation 13 site on the shores of the Anacostia River, known as Hill East. The Hill East Master Plan calls for the site to be redeveloped to meet diverse public needs, including health care, education, employment, government services and administration, recreation, and housing.

The vision is to transform Hill East into a thriving, mixed-use neighborhood featuring tree-lined streets, recreational trails, an attractive monument circle, a beautified Metro station, new “green roof” construction, and the extension of Massachusetts Avenue all the way to the waterfront. The site encompasses 60 acres, including the DC General Hospital Site, near the Stadium / Armory Metro Station at 19th Street and Independence Avenue, SE.

Kingman Island

Kingman Island and the adjacent Heritage Island are a publicly accessible park that connects local citizens with the astonishing natural wonders of the Anacostia River. The 45-acre parcel of land lies at the center of many neighborhoods along the Anacostia River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US-ACE) created Kingman and Heritage Islands in 1916 from dredged sediment taken from the Anacostia River. The islands were originally planned as a recreational area for the surrounding neighborhoods, but until recently were neglected and abused for decades.

The National Park Service owns Kingman Island’s northern half as part of Langston Golf Course. Ownership of the southern portion of the island was transferred from the U.S. Department of Interior to the District of Columbia in December 2000. The five-acre Heritage Island is to the west of Kingman Island.

Plans include the restoration of the island’s natural wetlands and wildlife habitat and the creation of trails, canoe tie-ups, and a playground. Other proposed elements for the project include a memorial grove of trees dedicated to District residents who were victims of the 9/11 tragedy and an Environmental Education Center that will be a premier destination for learning about the river’s restoration and the importance of environmental preservation.

Marvin Gaye Park

Formerly known as Watts Branch Park, the newly revitalized Marvin Gaye Park provides an inviting and attractive natural environment with recreational amenities that enhance the surrounding urban neighborhood. The park occupies a mile-long stretch of green stream valley along Watts Branch which is the largest tributary to the Anacostia River within the District of Columbia. It includes a recreation trail, a restored stream and ponds, and woods and gardens for both wildlife and people to enjoy.

Recent improvements to the park include a rejuvenated stream bed, development of a bicycle trail, and improvements to the pedestrian bridges. A model of sustainable design, the park will also protect the stream from stormwater runoff and make use of renewable resources.

Popular Point

Poplar Point encompasses more than 110 acres of federal land adjacent to Historic Anacostia, directly across from the Navy Yard. Development efforts in this area will reconnect historic Anacostia and its residents back to the Anacostia River. Plans call for the site to be revived as a green gateway to the Anacostia River and act as a catalyst for neighborhood economic development. The transformation will feature state-of-the-art ecological restoration as well as cultural, historical, and community attractions. Plans for the site include a 70-acre cultural park, civic memorials (including one honoring Frederick Douglass), wetlands, and residential, commercial, and office development.

Washington Canal Park

Washington Canal Park opened in 2012 and is the first public park built under the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. It is an inviting area attraction and a model of sustainable development. The park provides a green pedestrian link between Capitol Hill and the revitalized waterfront. It serves as a focal point for the area’s emerging high-density, mixed-use development that includes the new U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters and the Capper-Carrollsburg housing development. It is a centerpiece of the Near Southeast waterfront neighborhood, where residents and visitors can enjoy the park’s many amenities and special events.