Northwest DC · Washington, DC
Bloomingdale
Hilly Brick Rowhouses and Strong Community Identity.
Quick Answer
Bloomingdale is one of DC's most architecturally intact rowhouse neighborhoods, defined by a tight-knit community identity and remarkable consistency in its brick housing stock. The housing stock is almost entirely brick rowhouses on topographically varied terrain that creates visual interest and property character. A 2018 Historic District designation protects the neighborhood's architectural integrity.
Row Home Market
Fee simple & rowhouse condo · Closed sales, last 12 months
Median Sale Price
$1M
▼ -6.7% YoY
Median Days on Market
22 days
◀▶ Flat YoY
List-to-Sale Ratio
98.5%
Near Ask
Median $/sqft
$693
Fee Simple
$446
Condo
Row Homes in Bloomingdale
942
14 currently for sale
How We Calculate $/sqft
$/sqft is calculated on above-grade finished square footage, the standard used by DC appraisers, MLS systems, and most market participants. Properties with finished below-grade space (English basements, rental units) carry that square footage as additive value, but appraisers typically apply a discount of 50 to 75 cents on the dollar relative to above-grade space. Blending the two into a single $/sqft figure would make a home with a finished basement look cheaper than it is and obscure the real comparison. When a property has significant finished below-grade square footage, both metrics are presented in context so you understand the full picture before the appraiser does.
Row homes only (fee simple & rowhouse condo) · Source: BrightMLS via Compass · 40 closed sales · 12-month rolling period · Median figures · Updated periodically
The Neighborhood
Bloomingdale, Washington DC: Neighborhood Overview
Bloomingdale sits north of Truxton Circle and northeast of Shaw, occupying hilly terrain that creates distinctive visual character and natural property variety. The neighborhood is bounded approximately by North Capitol Street to the east, 2nd Street NW to the west, Florida Avenue NW to the south, and the McMillan Reservoir to the north. That footprint contains some of DC's most architecturally consistent rowhouse blocks, with most examples built between 1892 and 1916 in brick with period details. The terrain means properties range from street-level rowhouses to those with basement entries that double as light wells, creating visibility and physical variety rare in flatter neighborhoods. The housing stock is dominated by fee-simple rowhouses, with very few condo conversions or new construction.
Bloomingdale's character is deeply rooted in community identity. The neighborhood is adjacent to LeDroit Park and draws on that institutional anchor. Retail anchors include Big Bear Cafe and Red Hen restaurant on 1st Street NW, which have created a walkable food and beverage corridor that drives weekend foot traffic. The neighborhood's topography means no single street dominates the way 14th Street does in Logan Circle or Shaw. Instead, the neighborhood functions as a collection of micro-neighborhoods defined by specific blocks. That structure creates strong block-level community feeling and lower commercial density than more gridded neighborhoods. Transit access is primarily via bus lines on North Capitol Street, Florida Avenue NW, and Rhode Island Avenue NW, with the Shaw-Howard University Metro station (Green and Yellow Lines) accessible on foot to the southwest. The tradeoff is worth it for buyers who value community coherence over maximum commercial density.
What to Know Before You Buy
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Bloomingdale's appreciation is steady but not dramatic. The 22-day DOM is tight but slightly faster than Logan Circle's 23 days, suggesting a healthy market that is not artificially supply-constrained.
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The neighborhood's topography is a feature for some buyers and a liability for others. Properties with street-level entries appeal to walkability-focused buyers. Those with basement entries appeal to buyers with garden and outdoor space priorities. Understanding your topographical preference matters before house hunting.
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Condo conversions are rare in Bloomingdale. Almost everything available is fee-simple rowhouse ownership, which appeals to land-focused buyers but eliminates condo entry-point options.
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The neighborhood has a strong community identity that attracts owner-occupants and repeat neighborhood loyalty. Turnover is lower than in rapidly transforming neighborhoods, which means less inventory at any given time but also more price stability.
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Proximity to LeDroit Park to the west and the planned community feel creates a neighborhood that functions more as a discrete residential area than as an extension of broader commercial corridors. That isolation appeals to some buyers and repels others.
Market Position
Bloomingdale Real Estate Market: What Drives Demand
Bloomingdale attracts owner-occupants who value community identity over maximum walkability or architectural distinction. The buyers who show up here tend to be long-term holders and professionals who want good bones and strong neighbors over cutting-edge retail or restaurant scenes. That demand pattern supports stable appreciation without the volatility of investor-driven neighborhoods.
Bloomingdale sits at a modest discount to Shaw and Logan Circle despite comparable architecture on a per-square-foot basis. The discount reflects the neighborhood's lower commercial density and smaller footprint. For buyers who recognize that community character is undervalued in DC's real estate market, Bloomingdale offers good value relative to nearby alternatives.
The supply dynamic in Bloomingdale is stable. The neighborhood is built out with minimal new construction, and condo conversions are not a major factor. That means appreciation is driven by demand and existing property improvement, not supply additions. That stability makes Bloomingdale attractive for long-term owner-occupants but less volatile for short-term speculation.
Streets + Pockets
Best Streets and Blocks in Bloomingdale
Not all blocks are equal. Here is a street-level breakdown of Bloomingdale's distinct pockets.
Rhode Island Avenue NW (1st Street to North Capitol)
The neighborhood's primary commercial node, anchored by bars, restaurants, and food markets near the 1st Street intersection. Higher foot traffic than purely residential blocks with active storefront leasing.
1st Street NW (Florida Avenue to Bryant Street)
The neighborhood's primary north-south residential and restaurant corridor. Big Bear Cafe (1700 1st St NW) and Red Hen restaurant (1822 1st St NW) anchor the street, creating consistent foot traffic and walkable amenities across multiple blocks.
2nd Street NW (Florida Avenue to Channing Street)
The western edge of the neighborhood with strong residential character. Tree-lined blocks with intact rowhouse consistency. Quieter than 1st Street with lower commercial activity but comparable house prices due to neighborhood draw.
U Street NW (2nd Street to North Capitol)
Quiet east-west residential block running through the heart of the neighborhood with intact rowhouse fabric typical of Bloomingdale's interior. Direct proximity to Crispus Attucks Park, the neighborhood's hidden green space tucked in the alley behind the block.
Crispus Attucks Park (1st to North Capitol, U to V Streets)
Hidden 1.06-acre park tucked behind the U and V Street rowhouses between 1st and North Capitol Streets NW, known locally as The Secret Park. A rare interior green space that adds outdoor amenity and reinforces the community identity of the surrounding blocks.
Bryant Street NW (1st Street to North Capitol)
Northern residential block near the McMillan Reservoir boundary with strong community feeling. Good value relative to southern blocks while maintaining access to neighborhood amenities and the Rhode Island Ave commercial corridor.
Row Homes
Bloomingdale Row Homes for Sale: Market Overview
Bloomingdale's rowhouse market is exceptionally consistent, with the vast majority of stock being brick examples built between 1892 and 1916. Fee-simple rowhouse ownership is nearly universal, with condo conversions virtually nonexistent. Prices vary by block location, renovation condition, and topographic position. The neighborhood's topography means certain properties sit at street level with traditional entry layouts, while others step down to basement-level entries with light wells or garden space. That variation in property type within the standard rowhouse form creates more diversity of living experience than flatter neighborhoods offer. Bloomingdale was designated a Historic District in 2018, meaning exterior modifications require Historic Preservation Review Board approval.
DC Row Homes Guide →Total Row Homes
942
in Bloomingdale
Currently for Sale
14
active listings
Housing stock: DC public property records · Active listings: BrightMLS via Compass
Brian's Take
"Bloomingdale is the neighborhood you buy if you understand that appreciation is not the only return on real estate. Community identity, good bones, stable neighbors, and the pleasure of actually knowing your neighbors matter. The current market pricing reflects the cost of that stability. This is not Logan Circle's scarcity play or Shaw's builder frenzy. It is a neighborhood that has been here for over a century and shows no signs of radical change. That consistency is worth something."
Brian R. Hill · Let's talk about Bloomingdale →
From the Record
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Bloomingdale was developed as a suburban extension of DC between 1892 and 1916 by prominent developers including Harry Wardman, with most rowhouses built in Victorian and brick styles as the streetcar lines expanded northward.
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Beginning in the late 1920s, African American professionals were drawn to Bloomingdale by proximity to Howard University and the neighborhood's established community identity with strong institutional anchors.
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Howard University's proximity has contributed to the neighborhood's character as an intellectual and educational hub, complementing the residential quality and community stability.
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The neighborhood's topographic variation creates distinctive visual character and living experiences, with street-level rowhouses and basement-entry designs with light wells that differ from more uniformly developed DC neighborhoods.
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Bloomingdale's transition from early-20th-century commuter suburb to established urban neighborhood has created a strong community identity and tradition of long-term ownership, supporting neighborhood stability and consistent appreciation over decades.
Frequently Asked
Bloomingdale Real Estate: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Bloomingdale?
The current median sale price for Bloomingdale can be found in the live market data above top of this page, sourced from BrightMLS via Compass. That figure reflects almost entirely fee-simple rowhouses, as condo conversions are rare. The price range reflects block location and renovation condition more than house type, since house type is relatively homogeneous.
How does Bloomingdale compare to Shaw?
Bloomingdale trades slightly below Shaw on a median price basis while offering comparable or better rowhouse quality and architecture. The primary difference is scale and commercial density: Shaw has heavier new construction activity and a more active commercial corridor, which attracts more diverse demand. Bloomingdale is quieter, more residential, and more consistently rowhouse-focused. For buyers who prefer community identity over maximum walkability, Bloomingdale's slight price discount is attractive.
Is Bloomingdale a good long-term investment?
Bloomingdale is an excellent long-term investment if your definition includes community stability, strong neighborhood identity, and consistent but not explosive appreciation. The 22-day median DOM suggests a healthy market with reasonable inventory and healthy buyer demand. For buyers planning five-plus-year holds and valuing stability over rapid appreciation, Bloomingdale is fundamentally sound. For investors betting on rapid neighborhood transformation or price surges, Shaw or Truxton Circle offer more upside potential.
What types of homes are available in Bloomingdale?
Bloomingdale is almost entirely fee-simple brick rowhouses built between 1892 and 1916. That consistency means buyers are getting the same basic housing type with variation in condition, renovation level, and topographic position. Very few condo conversions exist, and new construction is minimal. Topography creates meaningful variation: certain blocks sit at grade with conventional entry layouts, while others have basement-level entries with light wells. That variation is significant for lifestyle considerations even within the rowhouse form.
What is the neighborhood's topography like?
Bloomingdale sits on hilly terrain that creates visual interest and property diversity. Some rowhouses have street-level primary entries with traditional layouts. Others, particularly on steeper blocks, feature basement-level primary entries with light wells that provide garden space or interior light without sacrificing privacy. That topographic variation makes Bloomingdale more visually interesting than flatter neighborhoods but requires buyers to understand their preference before house hunting. Hilly terrain also means walking routes have elevation changes that some buyers enjoy for exercise and others find challenging.
Also Consider
Neighborhoods Near Bloomingdale, DC
LeDroit Park
West of Bloomingdale with different housing types and more focused architectural style. Smaller neighborhood with historic planned community character and Howard University adjacent.
Median Price
$824K
Median DOM
41 days
Truxton Circle
South of Bloomingdale with lower pricing and significant unrenovated inventory. Earlier stage of neighborhood transformation with higher renovation opportunity but lower entry prices.
Median Price
$555K
Median DOM
43 days
Shaw
South and west of Bloomingdale with higher pricing and heavier new construction activity. More commercial density than Bloomingdale with different appreciation trajectory.
Median Price
$1.1M
Median DOM
19 days
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