Northwest DC · Washington, DC
North Cleveland Park
The Quieter Edge of Connecticut Avenue Convenience.
Quick Answer
North Cleveland Park occupies the residential corridor between Cleveland Park and Tenleytown, maintaining Connecticut Avenue access while offering a quieter, more residential feel. The 387 row homes reflect the same 1920s-1940s housing stock as Cleveland Park, with slightly larger lots and a more deliberate market tempo than the blocks to the south.
Row Home Market
Fee simple & rowhouse condo · Closed sales, last 12 months
Median Sale Price
$1.4M
▲ +5.3% YoY
Median Days on Market
14 days
▲ +8d YoY
List-to-Sale Ratio
98.2%
Near Ask
Median $/sqft
$761
Row Homes in North Cleveland Park
387
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 · 7 closed sales · 12-month rolling period · Median figures · Updated periodically
The Neighborhood
North Cleveland Park, Washington DC: Neighborhood Overview
North Cleveland Park runs north from Quebec Street to Albemarle Street NW, anchored by Connecticut Avenue but defined by a quieter residential character than the more densely developed blocks to the south. The housing stock mirrors Cleveland Park's 1920s-1940s construction, with rowhouses, colonial singles, and some Tudor-influenced designs that took advantage of larger lot sizes away from the commercial corridor. The neighborhood retains the same architectural coherence as Cleveland Park without the street presence of the metro station or the commercial activity. This is a neighborhood designed for living rather than for shopping or transit transfer.
Connecticut Avenue remains accessible for metro, shopping, and restaurants, but North Cleveland Park sits far enough north that the daily traffic and visitor pressure are considerably lighter. The tradeoff is straightforward: you get more quiet residential character and slightly more space, but you trade some of the immediate walkability advantage. Rock Creek Park is still accessible to the east. The neighborhood has a more settled, residential feel than Cleveland Park's slightly more urban character. Long-term ownership is common, and neighborhood turnover is driven by life changes rather than by mobility patterns. Buyers who settle here have generally chosen space and quiet over commute convenience.
What to Know Before You Buy
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Connecticut Avenue is still walkable for shopping and restaurants, but distances are longer than in Cleveland Park proper. Most residents drive for routine errands rather than walk, which is a meaningful lifestyle difference from blocks directly on the corridor.
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The Tenleytown Metro station is within reasonable walking distance (about 0.6 miles) for transit-dependent commuters. This proximity makes North Cleveland Park accessible for buyers who need metro but prefer a quieter setting than Connecticut Avenue.
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Lot sizes tend to run slightly larger than in the more urban blocks to the south, providing more flexibility for renovation and addition projects. This extra lot space is useful for owners planning to expand or improve.
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Schools remain strong, with assignment dependent on exact address. Many homes feed into the same secondary schools as Cleveland Park proper, which supports long-term holding patterns.
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The neighborhood is established and quiet, which is the primary draw. Buyers here are trading some metro proximity and walkability for neighborhood peace. That tradeoff appeals to buyers prioritizing residential character over commute convenience.
Market Position
North Cleveland Park Real Estate Market: What Drives Demand
North Cleveland Park draws buyers who are attracted to Cleveland Park's residential character but who can accept a slightly longer walk or minor metro inconvenience in exchange for quieter streets and more space. Owner-occupants here consistently prioritize space and quiet over transit proximity. The current median reflects the same housing stock cohort as Cleveland Park, with a slightly slower market velocity that gives buyers more flexibility to negotiate.
The price differential between North Cleveland Park and Cleveland Park proper is minimal on a raw dollar basis, but meaningful on a price-per-sqft basis. North Cleveland Park homes often offer more land and lot depth for the same price point, which represents value for buyers prioritizing space over location. Buyers working with fixed budgets often find their money goes further here than in blocks directly on Connecticut Avenue.
Supply in North Cleveland Park is more consistent and less volatile than in tight neighborhoods. Inventory levels remain steady through market cycles, which means buyers have more options and less urgency in their purchasing process. Buyers here rarely feel pressure to move on the same day they view a property.
Streets + Pockets
Best Streets and Blocks in North Cleveland Park
Not all blocks are equal. Here is a street-level breakdown of North Cleveland Park's distinct pockets.
Connecticut Avenue NW
The commercial corridor and transit spine. Homes directly on Connecticut have immediate access to shopping and metro but face street traffic and noise. Most owners tolerate this tradeoff for convenience.
Ordway Street NW
Extends north into North Cleveland Park territory. Quieter than Connecticut but still within easy walking distance of the metro and retail. Good balance between walkability and residential quiet.
Macomb Street NW
A quiet residential street with large Victorian and Colonial homes near the southern edge of the neighborhood. Often offers good value for the house size and lot depth.
Albemarle Street NW
A beautiful tree-lined street in the heart of North Cleveland Park with substantial homes and generous lots. The most residential and removed street from the Connecticut Avenue activity.
Myrtle Street NW
Runs parallel to Connecticut Avenue one block west. Good compromise between walkability and quiet. Homes here benefit from proximity to park green space and retail without street exposure.
Row Homes
North Cleveland Park Row Homes for Sale: Market Overview
North Cleveland Park's row home market reflects the same 1920s-1940s construction period as Cleveland Park. Approximately 387 row homes are recorded in the neighborhood's housing stock, which is notably higher than Cleveland Park proper due to the extended geography. The rowhouses here tend to sit on slightly deeper lots than their southern counterparts, which creates more renovation and expansion potential. Fee-simple ownership is standard. Because the neighborhood is quieter and less densely developed, rowhouses here often appeal to buyers who want the rowhouse charm without the urban intensity. Many have been renovated with modern systems while retaining period architecture.
DC Row Homes Guide →Total Row Homes
387
in North Cleveland Park
Housing stock: DC public property records · Active listings: BrightMLS via Compass
Brian's Take
"North Cleveland Park is Cleveland Park for people who value peace over proximity. The house you get is no smaller, the price is marginally lower, and the neighborhood is noticeably quieter. You trade some walkability and metro urgency for space and residential character. That is not a bad trade for the right buyer. The market tempo here is genuinely unhurried; fewer competing bids means you can evaluate carefully rather than react under pressure. If you do not need to walk to metro every day, this is where you find Cleveland Park convenience at a discount and with less market pressure."
Brian R. Hill · Let's talk about North Cleveland Park →
From the Record
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North Cleveland Park developed as part of the broader Cleveland Park streetcar suburb expansion from the 1920s through the 1940s. The extension of electric transit along Connecticut Avenue made these residential blocks attractive to buyers seeking established neighborhood character away from the commercial corridor.
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Soapstone Valley Park and the surrounding natural topography shaped North Cleveland Park's residential development patterns, creating a landscape of tree-lined streets and quieter block character that distinguishes the neighborhood from its more urban southern portions.
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Connecticut Avenue's streetcar service anchored the neighborhood's development, connecting residents to downtown employment and commercial activity while allowing owner-occupants to maintain a residential living environment away from the corridor's hustle.
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Single-family home development on generous lots characterized the neighborhood's evolution, attracting residents who prioritized space and yard area, establishing the established residential character that persists today.
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The proximity to the National Cathedral and Rock Creek Park's eastern edge created permanent green boundaries that shaped neighborhood planning and reinforced North Cleveland Park's position as a quiet residential enclave within DC proper.
Frequently Asked
North Cleveland Park Real Estate: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cleveland Park and North Cleveland Park?
North Cleveland Park is quieter, more residential, and sits further from the Connecticut Avenue commercial corridor and metro station. Houses are comparably priced and from the same era, but lot sizes run slightly larger. The primary difference is neighborhood character and market velocity. Cleveland Park moves faster and feels more urban. North Cleveland Park moves slower and feels more suburban. Both offer good value, but they appeal to different priorities.
What is the median home price?
The current median sale price for North Cleveland Park is sourced from BrightMLS via Compass based on recent closed sales. The same budget typically buys more house and lot here than in Cleveland Park proper, reflecting the slight distance premium buyers pay to be on the commercial corridor.
How quickly do homes sell here?
North Cleveland Park moves with a slightly slower tempo than Cleveland Park to the south, which gives buyers more opportunity to inspect and negotiate. Well-priced homes still move quickly, but there is modestly more room for deliberation than in higher-velocity neighborhoods on the corridor.
Is Tenleytown Metro accessible?
Most North Cleveland Park blocks are roughly a 12-minute walk from Tenleytown Metro, about 0.6 miles to the station entrance. For transit-dependent commuters, it is accessible but not immediate. If you work on the Red Line and your commute is a priority, the Connecticut Avenue-accessible stations in Cleveland Park proper may suit you better. For flexible commuters, Tenleytown proximity is adequate.
Should I buy in North Cleveland Park or Cleveland Park proper?
Buy in North Cleveland Park if you want more quiet and space and can accept a slightly longer walk to metro and shopping. Buy in Cleveland Park proper if you are metro-dependent or want the urban walkability to be immediate and convenient. Both neighborhoods offer good fundamentals and stable long-term appreciation. The choice is about lifestyle and daily priorities, not about market fundamentals.
Also Consider
Neighborhoods Near North Cleveland Park, DC
Cleveland Park
Directly south along Connecticut Avenue. More urban, faster market, stronger commercial corridor. The metro station is closer and the neighborhood is denser.
Median Price
$1.4M
Median DOM
12 days
American University Park
West along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor. Similarly quiet and residential with strong school access. Lower price point and less Metro proximity, offering a natural comparison for buyers prioritizing space and residential quiet over urban walkability.
Median Price
$1.1M
Median DOM
7 days
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