Welcome to Kalorama
Exuding old-world charm, sophisticated Kalorama is the preferred address of many of Washington, D.C.’s most esteemed residents. Former presidents have lived as well as diplomats and top-ranking government officials. But despite the handful of highly influential residents, Kalorama remains private and quiet.
Kalorama is located in the Northwest Quadrant of Washington, D.C. The area consists of two different neighborhoods: Sheridan-Kalorama (also known as Kalorama Heights) and Kalorama Triangle.
History Highlights
- In stark contrast to today’s Kalorama, the area in the past used to be rural and undistinctive. Everything changed when former DC commissioner Gustavus Scott built a classical white house named Rock Hill in the area in the 18th century.
- Rock Hill was eventually sold to Joel Barlow in 1807. He rechristened the property to “Kalorama,” a Greek word that roughly translates to “fine view.” It was from there that this highly-coveted residential area got its name.
- Although officials ordered Charles L’Enfant’s grid plan to be extended to the rest of Washington, D.C. in the late 19th century, Kalorama is one of the neighborhoods that didn’t become part of the system.
Kalorama DC Real Estate and Kalorama DC Homes for Sale
Sheridan-Kalorama (Kalorama Heights)
Sheridan-Kalorama (also known as Kalorama Heights) makes up a significant portion of the southwest Kalorama area. Its boundaries include Rock Creek Park, Florida Avenue, and Connecticut Avenue. The neighborhood used to be largely undeveloped but underwent a massive change in the 20th century. Today, this part of the Kalorama area is a well-balanced mix of urban and suburban sensibilities.
Real estate in Sheridan-Kalorama is impressive. The housing market is a collection of historic homes that include streets lined with DC’s iconic row houses, as well as mansions, luxury apartments, and dignified townhouses. Architectural styles popular in the area include Romanesque, Victorian, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Federal Revival, and Beaux Arts.
Kalorama Triangle
Located adjacent to Sheridan-Kalorama is the neighborhood of the Kalorama Triangle. It is bounded by Columbia Road, Connecticut Avenue, and Calvert Street. Compared to its neighbor and its largely suburban ambiance, Kalorama Triangle is considerably more urban of the two. This urban character is reflected in the local real estate, which also features more condos and attached dwellings in addition to spacious single-family homes and row houses.
Kalorama Triangle’s lineup of colorful early 20th-century row houses stands out, but the architectural variety also adds excitement. Aside from the classical styles like Georgian and Federal, Kalorama Triangle real estate also has excellent examples of Mediterranean-style architecture.
What is it Like Living in Kalorama DC?
High Level of Accessibility
The prestige and history of the area aside, one of the reasons why people love to live in Kalorama is its location. Although it feels worlds away from the rest of Washington, D.C. because of its higher elevation, the best the city has to offer is quite near. The White House is less than two miles from the neighborhood while it takes less than 10 minutes to get to Dupont Circle by car.
Embassies and Historic Sites
There are a number of historic buildings as well as embassies located in the Kalorama area, with the latter concentrated along Massachusetts Avenue (also called Embassy Row). Kalorama Triangle is also a designated Historic District. Points of interest in the neighborhood include:
- The Woodrow Wilson House, where former president Woodrow Wilson resided after leaving the Oval Office. It’s a National Historic Landmark and now operates as a museum. It is located on Embassy Row.
- The Spanish Steps, which were built in the early 20th century as part of the “City Beautiful” project, connect Decatur Place NW and S Street.
On Embassy Row is also known as the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District. Here, there are over 30 embassies as well as stately private residences to be found. Aside from diplomatic missions, the embassies along Massachusetts Avenue regularly open their doors to visitors for a host of cultural events.
Schools in and Around the Area
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