March 2014

Notable dignataries including President Obama and the first lady have shared several date nights in Old Town, and now Old Town in Alexandria, VA, is being recognized on a Top 10 list of the best downtowns across the country for 2014.  The streets of downtown Old Town has landed a bright spot at #5 on a new list by the website Livability.com.  The editors say Old Town Alexandria is one of the best downtowns for its “creativity, inclusion and innovation.”  Good downtowns showcase a community by featuring a wide selection of local architecture, art, lifestyles and things to do.  “Great downtowns…unite residents…by providing places to connect.”  How true of Old Town!

Old Town Alexandria has been selected for its top ranking based on its high energy,

DC’s newest luxury condo 460NYA had a grand opening last week.  Highly anticipated, the launch of a new condo building in the popular Mount Vernon Triangle has been met enthusiastically by those who flock to Mount Vernon Triangle’s vibrant nightlife and restaurants but crave to live near this hotspot. 

Location is key here.  460NYA is within the triangle and walking distance of the Mt. Vernon Square Metro Station as well as the Gallery Place Metro Station.  It is also walking distance to the Verizon Center, Gallery Place shops, The National Portrait Gallery, popular Busboys and Poets, coffeehouses, spas, gyms, and Harris Teeter and Safeway supermarkets.  All of these urban conveniences are within just a few blocks; the building is also across from the

Who wouldn’t want to live next door to a U.S. Senator?  Among the political elite in DC, one of the most powerful members of Congress, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) bought a $2.7 million condo in early February at the Residences at CityCenter.  McCaskill and her husband will soon move into the tony mixed-use development in in the Penn Quarter.

Units have ranged from $417,000 to $1.7 million and Sen. McCaskill’s sale is the priciest condo unit to sell to date at the upscale Residences at CityCenter.  More than 50 condos have sold so far out of 216 in this brand new mixed-use development.  McCaskill and her husband have sold their previous Washington condominium on Massachusetts Avenue, NW, which they bought for $700,000 in 2007.  She made a big gain

DC is at the top of the heap in the Business Journal’s rankings of “brainpower” across 102 major cities.  DC outranks all cities for numbers of adults with bachelor’s degrees (47.6 %) and adults with graduate degrees (22.8%).  The Business Journal looked at 102 major U.S. markets and scored them based on the percentage of adults (25 and older) who hold high school diplomas, bachelor’s degrees and graduate degrees.  DC had the highest brainpower ranking (6.9) by far.

After DC, the rest of the Top 5 is as follows: Madison, Wis. (with a brainpower ranking of 5.54), Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn. (5.32), Boston (5.17) and San Jose, Calif. (5.08).    Workforce studies reveal that a person holding a bachelor’s degree will earn 77% more than a high school graduate;

The rich history of the Northumberland cooperative building oozes splendor and has housed many from Washington’s political and financial elite, not to mention the building has appeared in three Hollywood blockbuster films.  The Northumberland is one of the Best Addresses in the Dupont Circle neighborhood located at 2039 New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

The Classical Revival building was constructed in 1910 by the famous local developer Harry Wardman and architect Albert H. Beers.  A fine example of Washington architecture, the Northumberland is currently on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Northumberland sits on a unique, irregularly shaped lot and has an eclectic classical façade but blends harmoniously with the buildings in the neighborhood and

In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, the luxury Oronoco condominium building is an urban hideaway .  It is also a prime setting for entertaining on the banks of the Potomac River with direct access from the back door to a park right on the waterfront.

The boutique condo residences enjoy 1-level living with spectacular views of the DC skyline, the Potomac River and the Old Town Alexandria skyline.  This plush building is 85% sold out.  Ideal for those who enjoy living close to plenty of walking trails, and the charm of Old Town Alexandria’s upscale retail and restaurants.  The Braddock Road Metro Station is near the Oronoco.

The Oronoco includes 60 single-level units ranging from 1,600-3,500 square feet plus expansive private patios and terraces. Two

Park View in Northwest DC has a strong sense of community among its residents and is pleasantly walkable.  The Petworth Metro Station is walking distance.  Shops and restaurants in nearby Columbia Height are within walking distance.  Park View has a diverse population in a residential community and neighborhood gentrification is taking place.  Like the neighborhoods around it, Park View has become a magnet for new bars, restaurants and other businesses popping up.

The neighborhoods surrounding Park View are Columbia Heights, Petworth and Howard University.  Located in the Northwest section of DC, Park View is north of Howard University and west of the Old Soldier’s Home.  The “park” in Park View refers to the nearby grounds of the Old Soldier’s Home. 

An enclave of distinctive new homes has been completed adjacent to the recently renovated 19th century Wormley Primary School in Georgetown.  The high-end townhomes maintain the historic integrity of this Colonial neighborhood as the exterior designs and materials blend in with adjacent homes and the interiors embrace today’s state-of-art luxury residences.  Located n the heart of Georgetown on Prospect Street between 33rd and 34th Streets, Wormley Row offers new construction townhomes that range in size from 4,900-5,600 square feet.

Wormley Row features exterior brickwork, copper flashings and architectural details in keeping with its traditional classic Georgetown roots.  Inside the residences, the architectural details include tall ceilings,

14th and Q in 2009

14th and Q in 2013

The northeast corner of 14th and Q has forever changed…..it is now impossible to walk to our office in the next block without thinking about and smelling the amazing bread that is now baked on this corner.   We are not talking Whole Foods $4.00 loaf bread…..but rather Marie Antoinette "let them eat cake" hand-crafted by the baker of the royal court bread.

This mouth-watering bread is from one of the hottest and most popular restaurants to open in the District in a long time.  Le Diplomate is packed with Francophiles and players including the First Lady who yearn for French dining at a bistro with cutting-edge design, and stellar food, service and ambiance.  But you may face a challenge when calling for a

Hipster bars and restaurants have revitalized H Street, NE, into a thriving destination not just for local residents but also for visitors and residents all over DC.   Home to a diverse community, the H Street corridor features restaurants offering foods from all over the world.  International cuisines boast Vegan, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Italian, Vietnamese, Caribbean, Belgian and so much more. The collection of new and exciting restaurants enhances the quality of life and stomachs in DC, especially in the vibrant walk-able neighborhood of H Street.  Yelp reviews are flooding the Internet by hip 20-somethings writing glowing reviews for their favorite DC restaurants and these are our top picks:

Atlas Room:  The small and intimate Atlas Room features