Nobody has their finger on the pulse of DC Luxury Condo Sales like Life At The Top
September, 2019 DC Penthouse and Luxury Condo Marketing Activity Report
For the latest in the DC Luxury Condo Market, stay informed with our blog every month.
Most Units Sold
The Odyssey in Arlington’s Courthouse neighborhood had four sales in September. The 16-story luxury tower with its curvilinear glass and steel façade is known for its full service amenities and modern touches, as well as a spectacular roof deck with heated swimming pool. The building is right off trendy Clarendon Boulevard, a stone’s throw from top bars and restaurants. In second place is The Columbia in Washington’s West End. The former women’s hospital once served wives and widows of Civil War soldiers. Today, the iconic Italianate-style structure originally designed by Nathan C. Wyeth—architect for the White’s House’s West Wing and Oval Office—has been restored and renovated as high-end condominiums. Residents also enjoy amenities ranging from rooftop swimming pool to a ground floor Trader Joe’s.
There were four buildings with two sales each in September. They are: City Vista in Mount Vernon Triangle, the famous Watergate cooperatives in Foggy Bottom designed by Luigi Moretti, Union Row in the U Street Corridor with separate Flats and Warehouses buildings, and strikingly modern Westlight in the West End. It should be noted that both sales at Westlight topped the million dollar mark.
There were six buildings with one or more sales: 2501 M in the West End, 555 Mass in Mount Vernon Triangle, Atrium in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, Chase Point in Friendship Heights, CityCenterDC in Mount Vernon Triangle and Gallery Place in Chinatown.
Highest Sales Prices
The top condominium sales price in the Washington, DC area in September was a whopping $6.5 million! Unit #PH1D at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown has 4-bedrooms, 4.5-baths and 4,314 square feet of living space. Marble, hardwood and carpeted floors, tray ceilings, huge archways trimmed with crown molding and a large balcony with unobstructed views of the Potomac River and Georgetown Waterfront Park are a few of the features. A giant Chef’s kitchen, wood-paneled family room, formal dining room and room-sized walk-in closets are also notable. The second-most expensive sale is Unit #701 at The Lauren in Bethesda. The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath contemporary flat with 2,676 square feet of space closed at $2,609,200. Extra-wide plank hardwood floors, tray ceilings, fireplace, balcony and a large and open white-on-white gourmet kitchen with marble counters and stainless steel appliances help to make this apartment stand out.
Third place goes to Unit #82 at the strikingly modern Westlight in DC’s West End. With 2-bedrooms, 2-baths, a spacious 1,633 square foot layout, this minimalist flat sold for full price at $1,915,000. Featuring blonde hardwoods, window walls and an open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, this unit also tied for the fifth-highest list-to-sales ratio. In fourth place is Unit #302 at The Hampden in Bethesda. The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence with 1,925 square feet of living space closed at $1,555,000. Dark hardwood floors and a white-on-white gourmet kitchen with upscale stainless steel appliances add to the allure.
Next is Unit #4M at the Ritz-Carlton West End. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with 1,094 square feet of living space sold for $1,400,000. Among the features are Brazilian Cherry herringbone floors, great views from the living area and a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Closing out the highest priced sales data is Unit #716 at The Whitman at $1,280,000. The elongated two-level penthouse has 2-bedrooms, 2.5-baths and a very generous 1,580 square feet of space, bamboo floors and a 700 square foot private roof deck!
Highest Sales Price to List Ratio
The highest sales-to-list ratio in September was Unit #M207 at Wooster and Mercer lofts in Arlington’s Rosslyn community. The 2-bedoom, 2-bath residence listed for $1,150,000 and sold for $1.2 million, translating to a 104.35% ratio. The unit has a spacious 1,672 square foot layout, a wraparound patio, hardwood floors and a gourmet kitchen with dark granite floors and stainless steel appliances. The second-highest sales-to list ratio belongs to Unit #411 at City Vista in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The contemporary flat listed for $519,900 and sold for $530,000, or 101.94% of list. With 2-bedrooms, 1-bath plus an office cubby, this place appears much roomier that its 743 square feet would indicate. Features include maple hardwoods, a strikingly modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a mosaic tile full-length backsplash. Bonus points for the large balcony!
Next up is Unit #W305 at Union Row in the U Street Corridor. The tri-level warehouse style loft listed for $900,000 and closed for $905,000, 100.56% of list. With 2-bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 1,508 square feet of space, this triple-decker is a real stunner. Features include hardwoods on the first level, overhead ductwork, floating iron stairs, a loft/den and balcony. Unit #704 at the Odyssey in Arlington closed for $469,000 and sold for $470,000 or 100.21% of list. The 1-bedroom, 1-bath flat with 696 square feet has an open space design, extra wide-plank hardwood floors throughout, an open gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters, plus a balcony.
Next is Unit #1-1509 at Somerset House in Friendship Heights. This was also the fourth-highest sales price in September, closing at 100% of the list price at $1,275,000. Two-bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2,064 square feet of space, plus cove ceilings and interesting room shapes are among the many features. Closing things out is Unit #82 at the Westlight in DC’s West End. With 2-bedrooms, 2-baths, a spacious 1,633 square foot layout, this sleek flat sold for $1,915,000—100% of the asking price. This very modern flat with its blonde hardwoods, window walls, white-on-white open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, was also the third-highest sales price in September!
Highest Prices Per Square Foot
The highest price per square foot honors in September also happens to be the highest overall sales price. Unit #PH1D at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown closed at $6,500,000 with 4-bedrooms, 4.5-baths and 4,314 square feet of space. That translates to $1,506.72 per square foot for this Georgetown penthouse with fantastic up-close views of the Potomac River. The second-highest price per square foot, as well as the third-highest sales price and sixth-highest sales-to-list ratio goes to Unit #82 at the very modern Westlight in DC’s West End. The minimalist flat with its giant windows, open gourmet kitchen and 1,633 square feet of living space sold for $1,915,000 or $1,172.69 per square foot.
The third-highest price per square foot is Unit #701 at The Lauren in Bethesda. The 2,676 square foot residence was also the second-highest overall sales price at $2,609,200 or $975.04 per square foot. Next up is Unit #507 at the popular 2501M in the West End. The fabulously modern residence with 2-bedrooms, 2-baths, floor-to-ceiling window walls, a balcony and 1,215 square feet of living space sold for $1,170,000 or $962.96 per square foot.
In fifth place is Unit #1006 at CityCenter in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment with extra wide-plank Northern Oak hardwood floors, a balcony spanning the length of the unit and 772 square feet of living area closed at $650,000 or $861.40 per square foot. Closing things out is Unit #2110 at the Waterview in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood. The contemporary 1-bedoom flat with 833 square feet of living space and spectacular views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge sold for $700,000, translating into $840.34 per square foot.
September, 2019 Highest Price New Listings
The most expensive new condo listing in Washington Metro in September is Unit #PH217 at Washington Harbour. This unique waterfront penthouse in Georgetown is priced at $4.7 million and features 3-bedrooms, 3.5-baths, a den and 3,700 square feet of living space. Add to that a 5,000 square foot private terrace with heated swimming pool, spa, waterfall and lily pond, not to mention remarkable point-blank views of the Potomac River. That’s not too shabby! You can also toss in multiple fireplaces, Chef’s kitchen, gallery, a massive living room, formal dining room and a master bedroom suite with sitting room and his and hers bathrooms. Close behind is Unit #71 at 2029 Connecticut in affluent Kalorama. Listed at $4.5 million, this incredible jewel spans the entire length of the building along Connecticut Avenue. That translates into 5,000 square feet of living space with 5-bedrooms, 4-baths, library with wet bar, foyer, a huge central hall/gallery, not one but two kitchens, plus an additional catering kitchen! It’s the ultimate in timeless elegance in a 1917 classic building.
In third place and listed at $3,995,000 is Unit #PH2E at the Ritz-Carlton West End in DC’s West End neighborhood. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath penthouse offers 4,008 square feet of living space and was relisted in September. Intricately beamed ceilings, three private outdoor spaces, catering kitchen, custom wall treatments, formal dining room, Brazilian Cherry herringbone floors and a family room are among the many features. In fourth place is Unit #408 at the new VIO at The Wharf in the Southwest Waterfront. Priced at $3,198,000, the 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath modern luxury flat has 2,507 square feet of living space, along with wide-plank hardwood floors, a minimalist Euro-style recessed kitchen and giant floor-to-ceiling window walls wrapping around three sides and gazing out at the docks and Washington Channel below.
Fifth place goes to Unit #2 at Wendell Mansions. Listed at $3,195,000, the spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence with 4,335 square feet of space is located in a historic Beaux-Arts Kalorama building. Original architectural details blend seamlessly with new luxury features. With a library, family room, heavy overhead beams, a giant Chef’s kitchen and impeccable marble baths, this city home is truly stunning. Our finally entry is Unit #602 at The Lauren in Bethesda. Listed at $3,099,000, the brand new 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment offers 3,169 square feet of space, dark grey oak floors and a modern white-on-white open kitchen with marble counters and Wolf, Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances. Other features include fireplace, marble baths and an impressive master bedroom suite.
