Nobody has their finger on the pulse of DC Luxury Condo Sales like Life At The Top
January, 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
The New Year started off strong with three buildings with four sales each. Turnberry Tower is the tallest residential building in the Washington Metro area, perched by the Potomac River in the Rosslyn neighborhood. Unit #1910 was the most expensive sale in the building for January, as well as the third priciest in the region at $2,210,000. With 2,405 square feet of living space, the luxurious apartment features direct access elevator, 2-bedrooms, a den, 2.5-baths, new hardwood floors and a giant private terrace with sweeping views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge.
The adaptive reuse project known, both as 1745N (for its street address) and Historic Row in Dupont Circle, also had four sales in January. The development was completed in 2018 with a complete makeover of six vacant row houses plus the addition of a new six-story building behind the antique structures. The end result is a blend of classic Victorian architecture and new modern luxury, with both townhouses and flats. Among the January closings was Unit #411 with 2-bedrooms, 2-baths and 1,781 square feet of space. The single floor residence listed for $1,599,000 and sold for $1,450,000.
Union Row in the U Street Corridor also had four sales. This ambitious project from developer P.N. Hoffman is comprised of two structures along 14th Street, one known as the Flats and the other as the Warehouses. Units sold in January range from a 503 square foot studio for $373,000 to a 2-bedroom with 1,137 square feet for $655,000. Somerset House in Friendship Heights had three closings during the first month of the year. These posh residences are located within the gated 17-acre Parc Somerset community and offer a country club lifestyle with scads of amenities. The closings included the second highest sales price of the month, with Unit #1004 listing for $2,599,000 and closing at $2,425,000. The spacious apartment also had the fifth highest price per sq. ft. at $970.78 per square foot.
There were five buildings with two sales each: the Columbia in the West End, Gallery Place in Chinatown, Metropole in Logan Circle, 2020 Lofts in the U Street Corridor and the venerable Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom. Among this group is Unit #720 at the Watergate; a Life At The Top property and the fifth highest closing for the month. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment with 2,450 square feet of living space sold for $1,800,000. A sweeping balcony spans the unit’s entire frontage, offering incredible Potomac River views. There were also five buildings with one sale each. City Center, City Vista and 555 Mass are all located in the Mount Vernon Triangle, Chase Point is in Friendship Heights, and Dumbarton Place is in Dupont Circle.
Highest Sales Prices
Washington’s highest condo sales price in the month of January was Unit #6F at the iconic Wardman Tower in Woodley Park. Built in 1928 by Harry Wardman, the distinctive Georgian Revival building was recently restored and renovated, with just 32 luxury residences inside. This particular unit was the first closing since July 19, 2019. It listed on January 31 for $3,695,000 and sold the same day for $3,250,000. With 3-bedrooms, 3.5-baths and 3,292 square feet of space, the spacious residence exudes classic elegance combined with modern amenities that blend in seamlessly. Among the many features are a large Henrybuilt kitchen, Austrian hardwood floors, exquisite millwork, private terrace and beautiful en-suite baths.
In second place was Unit #1004 at Somerset House inside the 17-acre gated Parc Somerset community in Friendship Heights. The spacious 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment with 2,498 square feet of living space closed at $2,425,000. It also had the fifth highest price per sq. ft. for the month at $970.78. A formal dining room, family room and a large terrace add to the appeal. In third place was Unit #1910 at Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn. With a closing price of $2,210,000, the 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath flat boasts a den, private elevator, new hardwood floors throughout, a giant curved window wall and a sweeping terrace with panoramic views of Arlington and the Potomac River.
Unit #2D at the recently completed Westlight in the West End took fourth place honors at $1,845,000. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath flat in the highly modern building from architect Enrique Norten has 1,723 square feet of living space, a wall-hugging kitchen, giant floor-to-ceiling windows and simple yet sublime spa-inspired bathrooms. In fifth place was Unit #720 at the Watergate in Foggy Bottom. This Life At The Top listing with 3-bedrooms and 3.5-baths sold for $1,800,000, representing 100.28% of its original price. The renovated residence with its large private terrace offers stunning views of the river. Closing out this bunch is Unit #406 at the VIO, located at the new District Wharf in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo sold at full price for $1,469,000. Blonde hardwoods, a Euro-style modern kitchen, a den, giant windows, marble baths and a balcony with views of the channel are among the many features!
Highest Sales Price to List Ratio
Topping the sales-to-list ratio in January was Unit #201 at The Floridian in the U Street Corridor. The 1-bedroom, 1-bath flat with 737 square feet of living space and an open gourmet kitchen listed at $460,000 and sold for $465,000, accounting for 101.09% of the original price. Unit #713 at Ten Ten Mass in the Mount Vernon Triangle came in second, with a sales price of $705,000, representing 100.86% of asking. The 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath apartment has an open layout with wide plank hardwood floors, lots of light from a square front bay and a nifty kitchen with stainless steel appliances and dark granite counters.
In third place was Unit #208 at Wooster and Mercer in Rosslyn. This private Life At The Top sale brought in $1,007,500 for a $1 million listing, or 100.75% of the original price. The exquisite corner residence has 2-bedrooms, 2-baths and massive windows wrapping around the 1,703 square foot layout. From the open chef’s kitchen to sublime modern marble baths, this residence is picture perfect. Fourth place belongs to another Life At The Top sale; Unit #720 at the Watergate in Foggy Bottom. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment with 2,450 square feet of living space closed at $1,800,000 or 100.28% of the list price. The completely renovated residence with stunning Potomac River views from the large private balcony was also the fifth highest sales price for the month.
Unit #604 at CityCenterDC in the Mount Vernon Triangle takes fifth place with a sale of $740,000, representing 100.01% of the advertised price. The 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath modern flat has a Foster + Partners designed kitchen recessed into a single wall of Molteni wood-toned cabinets, along with pale Northern Oak flooring and tons of natural light. Closing out this bunch is the first sale at St. Nicholas in the Kalorama neighborhood since May 26, 2016! Unit#2CW in this historic building listed and sold for full price at $1 million. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with 1,429 square feet of living space is loaded with Old World charm, and sold in just 13 days.
Highest Prices Per Square Foot
The highest price per square foot honors in January was also the fourth-highest sales price. Unit #2D at Westlight in the West End has 1,723 square feet of living space and sold for $1,845,000, translating to $1,070.81 per square foot. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment offers luxury minimalism, with pale hardwood floors, giant windows and a white-on-white kitchen with recessed appliances set into the wall. The distinctive structure with its cantilevered glass façade was designed by Erinque Norten of TEN-Arquitectos. The building is also home to the new West End Library. Unit #716 at Metropole in Logan Circle came in second at $993.75 per sq. ft. The 1-bedroom, 1-bath contemporary flat with 800 square feet of space closed at $800,000. Blonde wide plank hardwood floors, massive windows, exposed ductwork, private balcony and a sublime kitchen recessed into custom wood cabinetry add to the appeal.
In third place was Unit #6F at Wardman Tower in Woodley Park. The 3,292 square foot apartment sold for $3,250,000, or $987.24 per square foot. The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment was also the highest condo sale of the month. The famed building dates back to 1928 and was recently restored and renovated from top to bottom. In fourth place is Unit #1406 at the iconic Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom. The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath cooperative with 1,669 sq. ft. sold for $1,625,000 or $973.64 per square foot. Original parquet wood floors juxtapose with a contemporary updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances. A private deck overlooks the Potomac River.
In fifth place was Unit #1004 at Somerset House in Friendship Heights. The 2,498 sq. ft. apartment sold for $2,425,000, translating to $970.78 per square foot. The elegant residence was also the second highest overall sale for January. The final entry for this group was Unit #1910 at Turnberry Tower in Rosslyn. The 2,405 sq. ft. residence sold for $2,210,000, or $918.92 per square foot. With 2-bedrooms, 2.5-baths, a den, private elevator and panoramic views of Arlington and Potomac River, was also the third highest sale of the month.
January, 2020 Highest Price New Listings
The highest priced new condo listing in January was Unit #7D at Wardman Tower in Woodley Park. The 4,648 square foot residence is listed at $5,995,000 and occupies an entire wing of the historic building. There’s Austrian hardwood floors throughout, with 2-bedrooms, 3.5-baths, a large den, library, double living room, balcony, marble baths and a Henrybuilt kitchen. This spectacular city home is reminiscent of a movie from the Golden Age! In second place was Unit #1409-E at Watergate East in Foggy Bottom. The two-story penthouse with 3-bedrooms, 2.5-baths, a den and 3,750 square feet of space is priced at $3,950,000 and has been completely renovated throughout. Luxury modernism is on full display with marble floors, floating glass stairs and an incredible glossy red kitchen with stainless steel appliances. A 685 square foot private roof deck boasts up-close views of the Potomac.
Coming in a close third was Unit #PH2E at the Ritz-Carlton West End. Listed at $3,795,000, the 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath penthouse has 4,008 square feet of space with custom wall treatments and three private terraces. Brazilian Cherry herringbone floors, a library, sunroom, family room, formal dining room and home office with catering kitchen add to the allure. In fourth place is a return to Wardman Tower with Unit #6F. This 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment with 3,292 square feet of space listed for $3,695,000 on January 31 and closed the same day for $3,250,000! Not only was it the fourth highest list price, but the top sales amount for the month as well. This was also the first closing at the iconic building since July 19, 2019. The immaculately renovated residence has Austrian hardwood floors, flawless millwork, a Henrybuilt kitchen, sumptuous en-suite baths with heated floors, laundry room and private terrace.
In fifth place was Unit #41 at the highly contemporary Westlight in the West End. Listed at $3,180,000, the 3-bedroom, 3-bath flat has an open 2,684 square foot layout with pale hardwood floors, giant window walls and a sublime kitchen and bathrooms that evoke white-on-white cubist principles. Designed by Enrique Norten, the mixed-use building is one of the newest and most acclaimed in Washington. Our final entry in the month’s highest priced new listings is Unit #1009 at VIO in the Southwest Waterfront’s new District Wharf development. Priced at $3,000,000, the 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath modern flat with 1,985 square feet of space boasts massive window walls with southern and western exposures, plus a large private balcony. The Washington Channel, boat slips and East Potomac Park are on full display! A glossy white kitchen with recessed Thermador appliances is set into a single wall, lending to the airy and open feel.
