Nobody has their finger on the pulse of DC Luxury Condo Sales like Life At The Top
September, 2020 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
September was a robust month for condominium sales in the Washington, DC area. Let’s start with The Columbia Residences in the West End neighborhood. The historic former women’s hospital was converted into luxury condos for sale in 2006 and has been a highly popular place to live ever since. It’s the only condo community for four sales in September, one of which was Unit #423, a bright and airy Life At The Top listing that closed at $560,000. With a loft bedroom and a marble bath, this super sunny unit has blonde hardwoods throughout and a wonderful open kitchen featuring light granite counters, white tile backsplash, a Sub-Zero fridge and Viking gas range.
There were four buildings with three sales each. CityCenterDC spans more than five blocks in the Mount Vernon Triangle and boasts an impressive bubble community of high-end shops, restaurants, apartments, hotels, offices, condo residences and a 1.5-acre park. Unit #1107 is a fabulous two-bedroom, two-bath penthouse that listed for $1,400,000 and closed for $1,280,000, while Unit #811 took sixth place honors in September for the highest price per square foot after selling for $1,250,000 ($914.41 per sq. ft.). The iconic Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom certainly holds a place in political folklore. But the stylish cooperative apartments have also long held had a reputation for pampered luxury. Among the three closings is Unit #801, a completely renovated residence with two bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a balcony offering Potomac River views. The co-op listed for $1,095,000 and sold for $1,065,000. Turnberry Tower is located in the Rosslyn waterfront neighborhood and also had multiple sales, including the highest closing price of the month. Unit #2301 is a spectacular penthouse with a 4,447 square foot layout. The three-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence sold for $3,200,000 and includes a sweeping balcony with panoramic views of the river, Washington and Arlington. The historic Yale Steam Laundry in the Mount Vernon Triangle once cleaned linens for the White House. Now converted to condos, the building had three sales in September, including two that closed at full price and one that claims sixth place in our highest list-to-sales category. Unit #902 was offered at $699,900 and sold for $705,000, or 101.13 percent.
There were no fewer than six buildings with two sales each. They are: 2020 Lofts in the U Street Corridor, Atrium in Arlington, 555 Mass and The Whitman in the Mount Vernon Triangle, the Ritz-Carlton West End in the West End neighborhood and Somerset House in Friendship Heights. Somerset House is set inside an exclusive gated community with a country club setting, and is home to the third-highest sale of the month. Unit #1308 with two bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a spacious 2,780 square foot floorplan closed at the full price of $1,830,000. The other closing at Somerset House, Unit #402, also sold for full asking price, at $1,575,000. Also notable is Adams Alley in Adams Morgan, with its first sale since August of 2019. Unit #308 is a sun-filled loft with two bedrooms, two baths and soaring 20-foot ceilings. It closed at full price, for $849,000.
Highest Sales Prices
The highest sales price in the Washington Metro region in September goes to Unit #2301 at Turnberry Tower in the Rosslyn waterfront neighborhood. The three-bedroom, 4.5-bath penthouse sold for $3,200,000. A private elevator opens into a foyer, which in turn leads into a massive open living area framed by a giant curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Stunning views of the Potomac River, as well as DC and Arlington skylines, are available from virtually every room, as well as from two long balconies. The 4,447 square foot floorplan includes an open gourmet kitchen, a family room, a library and luxurious marble baths. Second place goes to Unit #6C at 22 West in the West End neighborhood. The award-winning building is notable for its modernist design, environmental sustainability and superb amenities. This two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a den, balcony and 1,829 square foot layout, sold for $2,000,000. Gleaming hardwood floors, huge windows and a sublime open kitchen add to the appeal. The flat also captured third place in the month’s highest price per square foot category.
Unit #1308 at Somerset House in Friendship Heights wins the third highest sales figure at $1,830,000. The spectacular 2,780 square foot residence has two bedrooms, a library, two balconies, 2.5 baths and an expansive updated kitchen. The gated, resort-style community is one of the most exclusive in the region. Fourth place goes to Unit #251 at Gaslight Square in the Rosslyn neighborhood. With a sales price of $1,499,000, the home offers two levels of loft living, with 18-foot soaring ceilings, exposed ductwork, floating iron stairs, exposed concrete walls, a quartz and stainless steel kitchen and two private terraces.
Unit #201 at The Duncan in Dupont Circle is notable in two regards. Not only does it capture sixth place honors in the highest priced sales category at $1,400,000, it is also the first sale at this building since March of 2018! The former mansion-turned-embassy was built in 1906, and is now home to just nine timeless residences. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment blends exquisite original architectural details with contemporary amenities, such as the open gourmet kitchen. A wood-burning fireplace with a huge, ornate mantle, adds a lovely touch of warmth in the spacious living room.
Highest Sales Price to List Ratio
Topping the list-to-sales ratio in September is Unit #201 at the grand old Northumberland in Dupont Circle. Delivered in 1909, the Beaux Arts building was constructed by Harry Wardman for as distinguished apartment housing for government officials. The extra-large one-bedroom, one-bath flat with its original parquet floors, exquisite detailing and remodeled open kitchen, was listed for $530,000 and sold for $556,111, representing 104.93 percent of asking. Second place goes to Unit #602 at Mather Studios in Chinatown. The building is home to both art spaces and residences, while this particular industrial chic dwelling sports concrete ceilings and floors, exposed brick walls and ductwork, and a stainless steel and granite kitchen. Priced at $498,750, the hipster pad closed at $520,000, or 104.26 percent
Next up is Unit #426 at The Lafayette in Penn Quarter. The corner residence with two bedrooms, one bath, a custom Murphy bed, gourmet kitchen and multilevel 315 square foot terrace, listed for $694,000 and sold for 103.10 percent, equaling $715,500. Unit #325 at the Lofts at Adams Morgan listed for $560,000 before selling for $576,000, representing 102.86 percent of asking. The Adams Morgan residence has one bedroom plus a den, and two full baths. Bamboo floors, soaring ceilings, factory style windows and a large private terrace as well as a balcony off the bedroom, add to the hipster allure.
Fifth place goes to Unit #716 at the legendary Watergate in Foggy Bottom. The two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with original parquet floors and 1,428 square feet of living space, also has a 44-foot long balcony. After listing for $529,000, the cooperative sold for $535,000, or 101.13 percent. Closing out our Top 6 is Unit #902 at the Yale Steam Laundry in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The two-bedroom, two-bath condo with 1,060 square feet of living space, has an open floorplan with bedroom suites at either end. It was priced at $699,900 and closed at $705,000, or 101.13 percent.
Highest Prices Per Square Foot
The highest price per square foot honors in September goes to Unit #74 at the highly modernist Westlight building in the West End neighborhood. The 1,542 square foot two-bedroom, two-bath apartment sold for its full list price of $1,810,000, equaling $1,173.80 per square foot. An open floor plan, huge windows and pale blonde hardwoods give this residence an airy and spacious feel. A simple yet stylish kitchen with recessed appliances matches the white-on-white ambience that is present throughout. Second place goes to Unit #5K at 3303 Water Street in Georgetown. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat with its large windows overlooking the Potomac River, sold for $983,750. That translates to $1,099.16 per sq. ft. for the 895 square foot layout. An open kitchen with panelized appliances and an island cooktop help maximize space in the living area.
In third place is Unit #6C at 22 West in the West End neighborhood. The two-bedroom, two-bath contemporary flat with a den, a balcony, giant windows and 1,829 square feet of living space sold for $2,000,000, or $1,093.49 per square foot. It was also the second-highest overall sale price for a condo or co-op in the DC area in September. Unit #251 at Gaslight Square in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, had both the fourth-highest price per square foot and fourth-highest sales price, at $936.88 and $1,499,000 respectively. The 1,600 square foot loft also comes with 459 square feet of private outdoor space, divided by two terraces. Exposed concrete walls, soaring ceilings and floating metal stairs add to the hipster flair.
In fifth place is Unit #1803 at Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn. The square footage matches the apartment number at 1,803. The luxurious two-bedroom, 2.5-bath flat sold for $1,655,000, or $917.91 per square foor. Features include direct elevator access, marble tile floors, two terraces and an open gourmet kitchen with upscale appliances set into Snaidero cherry cabinets. Closing out the Top 6 is Unit #811 at CityCenterDC in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The two-bedroom, two-bath contemporary flat sold for $1,250,000, equaling $914.41 per square foot for the 1,367 sq. ft. floorplan. The giant open main living area is complemented by giant expanse of uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling windows, and a glossy white modern kitchen recessed into a single wall.
September, 2020 Highest Price New Listings
The highest priced new condominium listing in the Washington DC area in September is Unit #2W at 1055 High in Georgetown. Priced at $4,525,000, the three-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence has a 3,446 square foot layout and is part of a unique boutique building with just seven units. Each bedroom is en-suite with its own sophisticated bathroom. There’s also a library, a remarkable kitchen and a large private terrace. Bonuses include a private service entrance, a large laundry room and two underground parking spaces. The building also has a state of the art fitness center, a rooftop heated pool, a garden lounge and grilling areas. Second place goes to Unit #4 at the historic Wendell Mansions in Kalorama. This fabulous Beaux Arts co-op building has just four residences—one for each floor! Listed at $3,795,000, this penthouse residence offers three bedrooms, 3.6 baths, two sunrooms, an office and two huge wood-burning fireplaces. Flawlessly restored and renovated, the timeless classic has an owner’s suite in its own private wing, a perfectly updated open kitchen with recessed appliances, plus direct views of the Washington Monument.
In third place on the highest-priced sweepstakes is Unit #3E at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown. The three-bedroom, 3.5-bath luxury condo listed for $3,795,000 and has already sold for $3,695,000. With Brazilian Cherry herringbone floors, a giant private terrace and point-blank views of Georgetown Waterfront Park and the Potomac River itself, this 3,006 square foot flat is all about the pampered lifestyle experience. Unit #23 at the Westlight in Washington’s West End neighborhood nabs fourth place, with an asking price of $3,615,000. The building with its cantilevered glass exterior was designed by Enrique Norton, and also houses the new West End Library. Inside the modernist apartment you’ll find expansive window walls, pale hardwood floors, three bedrooms, three baths, an open white-on-white minimalist kitchen with recessed appliances, and 3,031 square feet of living space with a tranquil, open feeling throughout.
Fifth place goes to Unit #703 at The Lauren in Bethesda. Listed at $3,095,000, the stunning three-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment is already pending. A spacious 3,167 square foot layout boasts direct elevator access, a combination of marble and hardwood floors, an elongated fire feature, huge windows, an open white marble kitchen, luxurious white marble baths and a private balcony. Closing out our list of highest-priced new listings is another residence at The Lauren. Unit #603 offers three bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,223 square feet of interior space. Priced at $2,999,900, this stylish apartment has direct elevator access with a marble foyer, dark gray hardwood floors, a marble gas fireplace, cove ceilings with thick crown molding and two private terraces. Each of the bedroom suites has its own marble bath, while the white gourmet kitchen has marble counters and recessed upscale appliances.
