Nobody has their finger on the pulse of DC Luxury Condo Sales like Life At The Top
Most Units Sold
Union Row in the U Street Corridor led the way in September’s sales, with four closings. The trendy condo community is actually two different buildings on opposite sides of the street, one being the Flats with modern apartment-style layouts and the other being the Warehouses with industrial flair lofts. Sales prices ranged from $385,000 for a studio unit to $799,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath residence with soaring ceilings, exposed ductwork and two separate balconies. There were five buildings with three closings each. Of those addresses, Somerset House in Chevy Chase scored two additional honors with Unit #1603. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment with 2,899 square feet of interior space had the second-highest closing of the month at $2,450,000 as well as the third-highest list-to-sales ratio at 102.30 percent.
Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn had the sixth-highest closing at $1.7 million. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath condo has direct elevator access, an office/den, and a huge balcony with views of the Potomac River. The Wooster and Mercer Lofts in Rosslyn had the fourth-highest list-to-sales price with Unit #W409, an exclusive Life At The Top property. The one-bedroom and two baths loft residence sold for $1,000,000 or 100.50 percent of asking. Also at Wooster and Mercer is Unit #W403 which is the fourth-highest in the per sq. ft. category, closing at its full price of $849,000, translating to $988.36 per square foot. Other buildings with three sales include City Vista in the Mt. Vernon Triangle, and The Floridian in the U Street Corridor.
Five buildings had two sales each. Let’s start with the Ritz-Carlton West End in the popular West End neighborhood. Unit #PRESP3 is the Presidential Suite Penthouse, and it sold for $4,350,000 after listing for $4,500,000. The new owners will enjoy 6,019 square feet of living space, with four bedrooms, 6.5 baths, five parking spaces and a spectacular private rooftop deck. Unit #321 at The Atrium in Rosslyn has the highest list-to-sales ratio for the month at 102.66 percent. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat sold for $390,001 after listing for $379,900. Unit #201 at Lionsgate in Bethesda had the fifth-highest sales price in the same category, listing for $246,111 and closing at $260,889 (100.07 percent). The other two buildings with two sales each are The Columbia in the West End neighborhood (a historic former hospital) and Q-14, a modern building in Logan’s Circle. Also notable is 2501 Pennsylvania in the West End, with its first sale since March 22, 2018. Ironically, Unit 2A with its $2 million closing price is the same apartment that sold back in 2018! The elegant two-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence with 2,732 sq. ft. of living space is part of a boutique building with just 16 units.
Highest Sales Prices
Topping the highest sales price chart for September is one of the most spectacular penthouses you’ll ever find. Unit #PRESP3 is the Presidential Suite at the Ritz-Carlton West End in the West End neighborhood. The massive 6,019 square foot residence exemplifies a rarified lifestyle with four bedrooms, 6.5 baths and a spectacular private rooftop deck. After paying $4,350,000, the new owners will get five parking spaces, an apartment the size of a single-family trophy home, and the Ritz-Carlton full service treatment. Second place goes to Unit #1603 at Somerset House in the gated Parc Somerset community in Chevy Chase. The 2,899 square foot residence has two bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a huge walk-in gourmet kitchen, a formal dining room and a den/library. A wraparound terrace overlooks the club house and swimming pool below. The condo sold for $2,450,000 after listing for $2,395,000, garnering the additional honor of being the third-highest list-to-sales ratio for the month at 102.30 percent.
Coming in third is Unit #2A at 2501 Pennsylvania in the West End neighborhood. The 2,732 square foot apartment with two bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a family room with office nook, sold for $2 million. This was the first closing at the boutique building since 2018. Ironically, it’s the very same unit that sold back then! Unit #101 at Washington Harbour in Georgetown takes fourth place at $1.9 million. The three-bedroom, three-bath penthouse has a 2,603 square foot layout. It also boasts a very spacious covered balcony directly overlooking the swimming pool, as well as the Potomac River and next-door Georgetown Waterfront Park.
In fifth place is Unit #27 at the highly modern Westlight building in the West End neighborhood. The 1,731 square foot apartment with two bedrooms, two baths and a den, sold for $1,850,000. That figure also translates to $1,068.75 per sq. ft., grabbing top honors in the highest price per square foot contest. Airy white spaces, pale blonde floors, giant floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful glossy white open kitchen add to the stylish allure. The building is also home to the new West End library. Closing out this memorable list is Unit #1011 at Turnberry Tower in the Rosslyn waterfront. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment with 2,229 square feet of space has direct elevator access, an office/den, massive window walls and a huge balcony with views of the Potomac River. The closing price was $1.7 million.
Highest Sales Price to List Ratio
Unit #321 at The Atrium in Rosslyn has the highest list-to-sales ratio for the month at 102.66 percent. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat sold for $390,001 after listing for $379,900. Hardwood floors, numerous upgrades and a private balcony are among the features. Second place goes to Unit #111 at the Watergate in Foggy Bottom. The renovated two-bedroom, two-bath co-op apartment with 1,801 square feet of living space has wide-plank Austrian hardwood floors, coordinated wood paneling, a Pedini chef’s kitchen set into one wall, plus a yard-sized garden terrace with a gas grill and irrigation system. The highly modern residence sold for $1,025,000 representing 102.59 percent of asking.
Unit #1603 at Somerset House in Chevy Chase brings home third place honors in the list-to-sales category. The super spacious apartment with two beds, 2.5 baths and a 2,899 square foot layout, listed for $2,395,000 and sold for $2,450,000. Not only is that 102.30 percent of the asking price, it’s also the second-highest closing for a condo or co-op in the DC area in September. Taking fourth place is Unit #W409 at the always popular Wooster and Mercer Lofts in Arlington’s Rosslyn community. This exclusive Life At The Top listing is a one-bedroom penthouse that’s loaded with Smart features as well as a bonus loft office space, two baths and a sublime rooftop deck that runs the length of the unit. The super-chic residence with its upgraded chef-inspired kitchen received an accepted offer just three days after coming to market. It ultimately closed at $1,000,000 after listing for $995,000, translating to 100.50 percent of asking.
Unit #201 at Lionsgate in Bethesda comes in fifth with a closing price of $260,889 (100.07 percent). The one-bedroom, one-bath apartment with 795 square feet of living space has oak hardwood floors throughout, an open gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, a balcony and an in-unit washer and dryer. Closing out the list is Unit #829 at City Vista in the Mount Vernon Triangle. The one-bedroom, one-bath flat with 666 square feet of living space has the distinction of being an affordable dwelling unit in a luxury building, selling for its full price of $266,566 (100 percent of list).
Highest Prices Per Square Foot
Capturing first place in September’s highest price per square foot competition is Unit #27 at Westlight in the West End neighborhood. The 1,731 square foot apartment sold for $1,850,000, translating to a robust $1,068.75 per sq. ft. The two-bedroom condo with two baths and a den, also took fifth place in the highest overall sales price category. Pale natural oak floors, giant windows, a glossy white modernist kitchen with panelized stainless steel appliances, and teak floors in the master bath’s huge frameless shower, are among the highlights. Second place goes to Unit #403 at VIO at The Wharf in Washington’s Southwest Waterfront. The luxurious two-bedroom, two-bath flat with a 1,370 sq. ft. layout sold for $1,435,000, or a sturdy $1,047.45 per square foot. There’s a bonus den with custom built-ins, an incredible open kitchen with Thermador appliances, and picture perfect views of both the Washington Channel and the VIO swimming pool, from giant windows and an outside balcony.
In third place is Unit #406 at 2501 M in the West End. The 1,170 square foot condo closed at $1,187,000, or $1,014.53 per sq. ft. The residence has one bedroom, a large den, two full baths and a desk cubby. Other features include a modern open kitchen with recessed appliances, designer wall treatments, and a private balcony. Unit #W403 at Wooster and Mercer in Rosslyn nabs fourth place, closing at its full asking price of $849,000. The one-bedroom, two-bath penthouse has 859 square feet of interior space, equaling $988.36 per square foot. Extra kudos for a private rooftop deck at the top of the factory-style gray metal floating stairs.
In fifth place is Unit #PH10 at The Residences at Market Square in Penn Quarter. This nifty one-bedroom, one-bath penthouse has an economical 549 square foot layout, but maximizes the space with an open floorplan, a cute white gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances tucked into a corner, and a fun private roof-level balcony with cityscape views. The apartment sold for $485,000 ($883.42 per sq. ft.). Our final entry is Unit #4G at the Ritz-Carlton West End. The two-bed, two-bath apartment with its floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in kitchen, sold for $985,000. That comes out to $858.76 per sq. ft. for the 1,147 square foot residence, not counting the spacious private terrace with multiple entry points.
September, 2021 Highest Price New Listings
Some truly spectacular new listings hit the market in September, accompanied by eye-popping prices. The most expensive is Unit #3F at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown. The three-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence with 3,890 square feet of living space is being offered at $6.5 million. Featured in Architectural Digest, the Georgetown apartment was transformed into a true stunner by Solis Betancourt & Sherrill. From the marble foyer to travertine floors and a waxed Venetian plaster ceiling in the living room, the entire residence glows with pale tones and a shimmering luminosity. A special shout-out to the spectacular Potomac River views. In second place is Unit #501 at the legendary Watergate in Foggy Bottom. Priced at $4,295,000, the two-bedroom, three-bath cooperative apartment with a den and 2,750 square feet of space has received a complete bare-slab makeover from BOWA Design/Build. Wood-ribbed wall and ceiling treatments, a showcase kitchen, stunning new bathrooms and TRUCOR Black Hills Oak floors are among the new features. A 94-foot balcony offers pristine views of the river.
Next is Unit #PH101 at the Westlight in the West End neighborhood. Listed at $3,975,000, the ultra-luxe penthouse has three bedrooms, three sleek baths and 2,684 square feet of space. Everything about this apartment is modern and understated, with blonde hardwood floors, white finishes and a minimalist gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Fourth place goes to Unit #609 at VIO at The Wharf. The 1,985 square foot corner flat with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths is listed at $3.4 million. Once again, incredible views are on the menu but this time it’s the Washington Channel, with two giant walls of uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling windows gazing out at docks and glorious evening sunsets. You’ll also get two spacious balconies and an incredible Euro-style chef’s kitchen.
It’s back to the Westlight for fifth place with Unit #9F priced at $2,995,000. The 2,415 sq. ft apartment has three beds and three baths. Huge windows, pale blonde floors and the signature Westlight open kitchen with its glossy white cabs and cubist design contribute to the feeling of understated elegance. The Watergate also gets revisited for sixth place with Unit #101/2. Listed at $2,595,000, this ground level co-op with a townhouse layout is absolutely massive. There are five bedrooms, five full baths, two half-baths, 4,505 square feet of interior living space, and an amazing 1,100 square foot private patio with swing doors leading out to the gardens. It feels much more like a house than an apartment, and also includes a second upstairs kitchen for entertaining.
