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July, 2020 DC Penthouse and Luxury Condo Marketing Activity Report
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Most Units Sold
July ushered in a wave of condominium sales in the Washington, DC area. Topping the list is City Vista in the Mount Vernon Triangle with four sales. This upscale urban development offers three residential towers, along with a private one-acre park, a rooftop swimming pool, club room and a number of ground level businesses including an Urban Lifestyle Safeway. Sales prices in July ranged from $499,900 to $808,000. Included in this group is Unit #1120, a one-bedroom, one-bath apartment that topped the list for the highest sales-to-list ratio for the month. The modern flat with wide-plank floors, open gourmet kitchen and private balcony is located in the K building, listing at $519,900 and closing at $537,000 or 103.29%.
There were several buildings with two sales each. It starts with The Whitman in the Mount Vernon Triangle. This luxury building offers tons of amenities, including a spectacular rooftop oasis with pool, gas grills and multiple dining and lounging areas. Unit #525 with two bedrooms and two full baths sold for full price at $650,000. Unit #903 with two bedrooms and 1.5 baths listed at $659,000 and closed at $640,000. One of Life At The Top’s favorite buildings, The Columbia, also had two sales in July. Originally built in 1886, the West End complex with its striking architecture used to be the Columbia Hospital for Women. These days, it offers renovated residences, a rooftop pool and an on-site Trader Joe’s. Unit #241 with two bedrooms and two baths sold for its full asking price of $998,000. Unit #535 with one bedroom, a den and one bath, also closed at full price for $599,000. Adams Row in the perennially popular Adam Morgan neighborhood had two loft-style sales, each with two bedrooms and two baths. Unit #301 sold for its full list price of $720,000 while Unit #207 listed at $629,000 and closed at $610,000. Clara Barton at Penn Quarter had two sales. Unit #1104 with one bedroom, one bath and a balcony, listed for $489,900 and sold for $502,500, and is the second-highest sales-to-list ratio for the month at 102.57%. Additionally, Unit #219, a 639 square foot studio, listed for $359,900 and closed at $345,000. Clara Barton is the sister building of Lafayette, offering hotel-style living with every conceivable amenity and service.
The legendary Watergate in Foggy Bottom had two sales in July. Of these, Unit #1501 was the second-highest sale for the month, closing at the full listing price of $2,250,000. The fully renovated duplex penthouse with 1,661 square feet of living space plus a private roof deck, also had the highest price per square foot at $1,354.61. The Yale Steam Laundry in the Mount Vernon Triangle was once the laundry facility for the White House. These days, it offers trendy lofts for sale. Unit #224 sold for full price at $439,000 while Unit #1206 listed for $525,000 and closed at $523,000. The grand old Northumberland in Dupont Circle had two closings for the month. Designed by Harry Wardman, the elegant Beaux Arts structure is listed in Washington’s “Best Addresses.” 525 Water Street in the Southwest Waterfront rounds out the list of buildings with two sales each. Buildings with one sale include Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn, CityCenterDC in the Mount Vernon Triangle, 555 Mass, also in Mt. Vernon Triangle, 1745N in Dupont Circle, 2501M in the West End, Atrium in Rosslyn and Lionsgate in Bethesda. Of these, Unit #2204 at Turnberry Tower was the highest-priced closing in July at $2,650,000. The 2,650 square foot residence with its private elevator plus sweeping river views from the balcony, was also the fourth-highest price per square foot at the nice round number of $1,000.
Highest Sales Prices
Unit #2204 at Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn’s waterfront neighborhood accounts for the highest condo sales price in the Washington area in July. The two-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence with a den and 2,650 square feet of living space sold for $2,650,000. In addition to the top price for the month, this luxurious apartment with marble floors and a private elevator, also had the fourth-highest price per square foot at $1,000. Among the many features is a huge wraparound balcony offering views of the Potomac River. Second place goes to Unit #1501 at the iconic Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom. The fully renovated duplex penthouse closed at full price for $2,250,000. Designer touches include an incredible spiral staircase that certainly qualifies as art. Also worth noting is the private roof deck. This co-op also has the highest price per square foot for the month at $1,354.61.
Coming in third in July’s highest priced sales is Unit #22 at the highly stylized Westlight in the West End neighborhood. The two-bedroom, two-bath flat has 1,486 square feet of space and sold for $1,440,000. Natural oak wide-plank floors, an open gourmet kitchen and a private balcony are among the many features. The unit also came in sixth in the highest price per square foot category at $969.04. The fourth-highest sale is Unit #204 at 2501M in the West End. The two-bedroom, two-bath residence with 1,207 square feet of living space sold for $1,275,000, and also came in third in the price per square foot sweepstakes at $1,056.34. The fifth-highest condo sale for the month is Unit #902 at Somerset House in Friendship Heights. The elegant two-bedroom apartment with 2.5 baths and a spacious 1,952 square foot layout sold for $1,250,000. The Somerset gated community is known for its country club amenities, with 17 acres of lushly landscaped grounds.
Our final entry is Unit #908 at CityCenterDC in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The 1,423 square foot corner apartment closed at $1,250,000. Walls of massive floor-to-ceiling windows, an extended balcony, Northern Oak wide-plank floors and a completely open modern kitchen that blends into the living area, are among the features fir this two-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence. The CityCenterDC community stretches for more than five downtown city blocks, and is home to over 30 upscale retailers and restaurants.
Highest Sales Price to List Ratio
Topping the sales-to-list ratio in July is Unit #1120 in the K building at City Vista in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The one-bedroom, one-bath apartment with wide-plank floors, an open gourmet kitchen and private balcony, listed for $519,900 before selling for $537,000. That equals 103.29% of asking for this stylish flat in a very popular condo community that is loaded with amenities. Second place goes to Unit #1104 at Clara Barton at Penn Quarter. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat with a balcony was priced at $498,900 but sold for $502,500 or 102.57%. Clara Barton with its hotel-style living is the sister building to the Lafayette.
In third place is Unit #241 at The Columbia in Washington’s West End neighborhood. The two-bedroom, two-bath corner unit on the ground floor sold for its full asking price of $998,000. It had hit the market just one day before going under contract. The gracious residence at the former women’s hospital has a private yard and patio. Fourth place is awarded to another full-priced closing; Unit #129 at Lofts 14 in Logan Circle. This stunning duplex loft with its white-on-white ambience, soaring cathedral ceilings and 1,789 square feet of living space, sold for $1,199,000. Lofts 14 is located at Church Street and 14th, and is part of a block that was once known as Auto Row for its body shops and car dealerships.
Fifth place goes to Unit #1501 at The Watergate in Foggy Bottom. The fully renovated penthouse sold for 100% of its asking price at $2,250,000. The two-bedroom, two-bath duplex with 1,661 square feet of living space also topped the price per square foot category at $1,354.61. Marble baths and kitchen, dramatic spiral stairs, an upstairs wet bar and a private roof deck add to the allure. Next up is Unit #1002 at the fabulous VIO at The Wharf in Washington’s Southwest Waterfront. The one-bedroom, one-bath condo with 720 square feet of space sold for the full asking price of $825,000. In addition to its solid sales-to-list price, this modern flat with its giant windows and private balcony overlooking the Washington Channel and boat slips, has the second-highest price per square foot at $1,145.83. Rounding out the list is Unit #314 at 1745N in Dupont Circle. The two-bedroom, two-bath end unit at the Historic Row redevelopment offers an open floor plan and 1,038 square feet of living space. It sold for 100% of its list price at $999,900.
Highest Prices Per Square Foot
The highest price per square foot honors in July goes to Unit #1501 at the perennially popular Watergate cooperatives in Foggy Bottom. The renovated duplex penthouse with two bedrooms, two baths and a 1,661 square foot layout sold for full price at $2,250,000, equaling $1,354.61 per square foot. This was also the second-highest condo/co-op sale in the DC area in July. The two-bedroom, two-bath residence has been totally renovated, and features herringbone floors, a modern open marble kitchen, marble baths with frameless showers, and an incredible spiral stairway leading up to a lounge with wet bar and a private roof deck with river views! Second place goes to Unit #1001 at the VIO, located at PN Hoffman’s new Wharf redevelopment along the Southwest Waterfront. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat has a 720 square foot floorplan, and sold at the full price of $825,000. That translates to $1,145.83 per square foot. Among the many features in this modern apartment are huge windows and a private balcony, affording unfettered views of the Washington Channel and boat slips.
Next up is Unit #204 at 2501M in the West End neighborhood. The two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with 1,207 square feet of space sold for $1,275,000, equaling $1,056.34 per square foot. The stylish residence was also the fourth-highest sale for the month. In fourth place is Unit #2204 at Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn’s waterfront neighborhood. The two-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment with 2,650 square feet of space sold to $2,650,000, equaling an even $1,000 per sq. ft. The elegant condo with its private elevator, large balcony and views of the Potomac River, was also the highest sales price for condos and co-ops in July.
Fifth place goes to Unit #709 at Metropole in Logan Circle. The rare one-bedroom penthouse with 817 square feet of space closed at $795,000, or $973.07 per sq. foot. Trendy industrial finishes include concrete ceilings, exposed ductwork, a minimalist modern kitchen set into a single wall, and floating iron spiral stairs leading up to a landing and a 350 square foot private roof deck! Closing out the list is Unit #22 at the highly modern Westlight with its cantilevered glass façade, located in the West End. The two-bedroom, two-bath flat has a 1,486 square foot design and sold for $1,400,000. It was the third-highest sale for the month and the sixth-highest in the measurement category at $969.04 per square foot. With natural oak wide-plank floors, a private balcony and an open white-on-white kitchen with recessed appliances, this apartment exudes contemporary style.
July, 2020 Highest Price New Listings
The legendary Watergate in Washington’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood is where you’ll find July’s highest priced new listing. The 10-acre mixed-used complex sits along the Potomac River, between the White House and Georgetown. Unit #502 is listed at $3,999,900 and comes with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,678 square feet of living space. Redesigned by legendary architect Robert Gurney, this spacious apartment is the product of two apartments that have been conjoined into one breathtaking showcase with wide open spaces, luxurious minimalism and an outrageous gourmet kitchen. Bonus props to the 1,000 square foot wraparound terrace overlooking the river and Georgetown waterfront. Coming in second is Unit #704 at The Lauren in Bethesda. Priced at $3,150,000, the two-bedroom, 2.5-bath penthouse with 2,676 square feet of space has already gone into active-under-contract status. A white-on-white design, pale wide-plank floors, a library/office an, a completely open white marble kitchen and an incredible 1,300 square foot private grand terrace, combine to make this an extraordinary residence.
In third place is Unit #715 at CityCenterDC in the downtown Mount Vernon Triangle. Listed at $3,050,000, the two-bedroom, two-bath terrace apartment has 1,584 square feet of living space, with ultra-wide plank floors, extensive upgrades to the kitchen and a 576 square foot walk-out terrace with multiple levels of wooden decking plus lush plantings. Fourth place goes to Units #1117/1118 at the Watergate. With an asking price of $3,034,000, this five-bedroom residence with 4.5 baths and 3,560 square feet of space is the result of two apartments that have merged into one supersized flat. A sweeping terrace with direct views of the river is just one of the features in this luxurious Foggy Bottom cooperative.
Unit #24 at 2101 Connecticut Avenue in the tony neighborhood of Kalorama comes in fifth, at $2,775,000. The three-bedroom co-op with three full baths and 2,800 square feet is another redesigned modern masterpiece from Robert Gurney. New cubist designs merge with classic Washington elegance in this award-winning residence, located at one of the District’s grand old addresses. Sixth place goes to Unit #153 at Quarry Springs in Bethesda. With a list price of $2,585,000, the three-bedroom penthouse with 3.5 baths and 3,689 square feet of space offers traditional elegance with private elevator access, exquisite millwork, lots of marble and a huge outdoor terrace.
