Kalorama Homes and Condos for Sale
The impressive houses in this neighborhood look out over Rock Creek Park.
The neighborhood of Kalorama is named after the estate that was built there in 1807. Even though the mansion no longer stands, some of DC's most fashionable addresses can be found in Kalorama, including diplomatic homes and embassies as well as Mediterranean, Colonial and Georgian Revival mansions.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A place away from everything.
This residential neighborhood was one of the earliest developments in the city and therefore is exempt from DC's gridded street layout system. The leafy streets feel a world away from the bustling downtown area, despite being right next door.
From picnicking in the three-acre grounds of Kalorama Park to walking up the photogenic Spanish Steps, there is plenty to keep you entertained in Kalorama. It's here you can take a guided tour around the President Woodrow Wilson House, sip on a fresh brew and people-watch at one of the local coffee shops or simply marvel at the historic buildings in the Kalorama Triangle.
The Kalorama neighborhood is located within Washington, D.C.’s Northwest Quadrant, which is famous for its influential residents. Some of D.C. 's elite live in this area, which is about a mile from downtown, including the Obamas, Jeff Bezos, and various diplomats. The region is referred to as Washington’s Beverly Hills because it’s THE place to live when residing in D.C.
THE LIFESTYLE
No disturbance allowed.
The rules of this close-knit community are for peace and quiet. It is tightly secured around the homes of former President Barack Obama, current presidential advisor Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Its residents are high ranking government officials or diplomats who come here to escape from their jobs and social lives.
Kalorama is less than three miles away from the White House and is home to 28 embassies, which is partly why there is such a diverse community of residents. The neighborhood, which borders DuPont Circle, also prides itself in having safe, pedestrian-friendly streets and several nurseries. Kalorama Park provides a nice spot to enjoy an afternoon in a comfortable community setting or to take a four-legged friend for a walk.
Public transportation links are also plentiful for frequent travelers, while a number of well-connected roads make it easy to travel to both the National Airport and Dulles Airport. When residents seek nightlife or a larger selection of restaurants and bars, it's only a short trip to head to the lively Adams Morgan neighborhood.
The Kalorama neighborhood is one of D.C. 's most desirable areas to reside, whether you already live in Washington D.C. or are relocating. Its quiet, historic charm, elegant nature, and proximity to bustling D.C. make it an ideal area for living.
Available from the library's website, Kalorama is a great resource for learning about different cultures and religions around the world. You can access individual embassy email lists to stay informed of public events such as concerts, lectures, and exhibits that take place throughout the year.
Kalorama has two distinct districts: Kalorama Heights in the southwest and the Kalorama Triangle in the north.
Kalorama Heights is the quieter of the two because it’s away from busier neighborhoods like Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. The Kalorama Triangle, on the other hand, borders Adams Morgan, which has a lively entertainment district.
Both districts are extremely walkable thanks to the ample sidewalks and lack of traffic. There is enough space on these streets for various activities, including walking the dog and jogging.
There is plenty of space for outdoor activities in Kalorama, thanks to the neighborhood’s parks.
Kalorama Park is in the Kalorama Triangle area. The three-acre park features basketball courts, a playground, walking paths, picnic tables, and plenty of green space in a quiet residential section of the neighborhood.
Kalorama isn’t known for its dining or nightlife, but you will find a few good places to eat on Connecticut Avenue and Columbia Road.
If you’re looking for something exotic, Lapis is a modern Afghan bistro that serves home-style dishes cooked with local, seasonal ingredients.
18th Street NW, which is just east of the Kalorama Triangle, is loaded with bars and restaurants within walking distance.
Grand Duchess is a neighborhood cocktail bar in the middle of Adams Morgan that serves classic cocktails, house-made tortillas, and has a Supper Club option.
There are many more dining options on Connecticut Avenue NW and P Street NW in Dupont Circle. Having access to this dining and nightlife without having it right on your doorstep keeps the neighborhood quiet and is one reason for its popularity with the elite.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
Easily available parking spaces.
The neighborhood provides a heavily treed oasis of quiet streets with no thru traffic, lovely to walk. All houses have garages so parking abounds, except near Connecticut Ave.
THE MARKET
This space is hard to come by.
Most of the houses in the neighborhood were built in the early 20th century and they are considered prestigious. The city's elite pay a lot of money to buy one when it becomes available.
Kalorama is a charming neighborhood with a mixture of grand Colonial and Georgian Revival townhouses as well as more modern new-builds. Some buildings also feature interesting Spanish-inspired features that give parts of the area a Mediterranean feel. There are spacious apartments and large detached houses available to buy or rent in Kalorama, which is why the area's properties often sell for above average prices and quickly get snatched up by potential buyers. Despite being so prestigious, the friendly community will welcome you with open arms if you decide to move here!
One reason for the neighborhood’s exclusivity is its hilltop location. The first houses built in the area looked out over the city because of the elevation, and over the years, Mediterranean, Georgian-Revival, and Colonial mansions have appeared on its residential streets. Kalorama is a private, leafy green neighborhood with distinguished estates overlooking Rock Creek Park. Kalorama apartments make a person feel like they’re a world away from bustling D.C. but in fact, they’re quite close.
There is a serenity to Kalorama as it’s quite literally “off the grid.” The residential streets of Kalorama were exempted from D.C. 's gridded layout system as development expanded outward from downtown. The very walkable Kalorama neighborhood streets are lined with trees, and the historic homes and apartment buildings make this a desirable location for families and young professionals alike.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The enchanting streets and forested views make this area a peaceful place to live.
The walk around Kalorama's curving lines reveals exquisite architecture and manicured gardens. Additionally, the view of Rock Creek Park can be seen from many points along the route.
The historic homes and apartments that line the streets are full of character and will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. The location is also great because you're minutes from downtown and the National Mall. This position makes Kalorama the ideal neighborhood to live in when working in government.
Kalorama is aesthetically stunning, thanks to its classic architecture. It isn’t a modern neighborhood with cookie-cutter buildings. The historic homes and apartments that line the streets are full of character and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The location is also great because you’re minutes from downtown and the National Mall. This position makes Kalorama the ideal neighborhood to live in when working in government. Georgetown University is nearby, too. Kalorama offers a mix of serenity and luxury, history, and international flair, which makes it desirable to many.
The classic-architecture homes of Kalorama offer plenty of history. There are two official historic districts – Sheridan-Kalorama and Kalorama Triangle – both of which have this designation because of their vintage buildings.
The President Woodrow Wilson House is steps from Mitchell Park. It’s the home where Wilson spent his post-presidency retirement. Today, the building is a museum featuring artifacts and some of his personal property.
Present-day Mitchell Park also has historical significance because it’s where Anthony Holmead II built a house in 1795. During the Civil War, the home was used as a Union Hospital. It was later accidentally set on fire in 1865, re-built, turned into the German Embassy, and eventually demolished again.
Mitchell Park is currently a neighborhood park in Kalorama Heights with a baseball diamond and a playground. This dog-friendly park hosts concerts and other gatherings in the summer, making it a cultural hub in the neighborhood. The park is only an eight-minute stroll to The Sedgewick. History is everywhere in Kalorama, and living there puts you in the midst of one of America’s most important historical neighborhoods.
Massachusetts Avenue, on the south end of Kalorama Heights, features several international embassies, including Japan, India, Korea, and Turkey. The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., is also on this street. Massachusetts Avenue is a great place to wander if you’re interested in architecture because many of the buildings have a unique flair to them. There are residences among the embassy buildings, as well.
One of Kalorama’s most recognizable sites is the Spanish Steps. These steps are one of Washington’s most romantic locations because they’re hidden away from the rest of the city and feature a calming fountain and beautiful flowers.
Heading to the Spanish Steps is always a good choice when looking for an escape because of its peacefulness.
Getting around without a vehicle in Kalorama is simple, thanks to D.C.’s public transportation system.
The Woodley Park Metro Station provides trips on the Metrorail system from the Kalorama Triangle. The Red Line takes you directly to Metro Center Station in minutes, where the rest of downtown is accessible on foot. Metrobus and the D.C. Circulators also have stops in the Kalorama Triangle.
Kalorama Heights is close to the Woodley Park and Dupont Circle Metrorail stops. The only bus stops in Kalorama Heights are on Massachusetts Avenue near the embassies. This station is a four-minute stroll from The Rodney and 1830 R St NW and a five-minute walk from The Sedgewick.
