Capitol Hill DC, which lies southeast and northeast of the U. S. Capitol building, is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Washington, DC. The site was chosen in 1790 by Pierre L’Enfant for the “Congress House” and was part of L’Enfant’s original plan. L’Enfant deemed the area, originally called Jenkins Hill or Jenkins Heights, “a pedestal waiting for a superstructure”. The Capitol Hill DC neighborhood is loosely bounded by the Anacostia River to the east, the Washington Navy Yard to the south and the H Street Corridor to the north. Development began with the growth of two Federal institutions: the Congress and the Washington Navy Yard. Beginning around 1799, enterprising vendors began to open boarding houses for the convenience of new Congressmen. Sessions were shorter and many could not afford or did not wish to bring their families with them to Washington. The establishment of the Navy Yard brought skilled craftsmen and ship builders to the area and the neighborhood prospered. By 1810, all kinds of retail stores, blacksmiths and churches were thriving. The Civil War brought more construction, including residential, retail and hospital. The neighborhood continued to expand into the 1870s and 1880s. Capitol Hill DC was one of the first neighborhoods to receive electricity, running water and indoor plumbing. The Capitol Hill DC Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Living on Capitol Hill DC is living history live and in real-time. Homes date from as early as 1800. Landmarks include the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Folger Shakespeare Library and Garden. The US Botanic Garden, the National Gallery and the Smithsonian lie at the bottom of Capitol Hill DC. Four Metro stops (Capitol South, Union Station, Eastern Market, Potomac) connect visitors from around the US and the World, as well as residents, to all corners of the metropolitan area. Eastern Market, the oldest farmer’s market in the city in continuous operation, is the centerpiece of Capitol Hill DC. After a devastating fire in the Spring of 2007, vendors are in temporary space but plans continue apace for restoration of the original building.

June 2008 was a busy month on Capitol Hill with 30 single family houses and 13 condos changing hands. The houses ranged from a 3BR/1.5BA row home on Potomac Avenue SE which sold for $344,000 in just over two weeks to a 4BR/3.5BA row on Independence Avenue at 5th Street which sold just under its list price for $1,031,000 in 53 days. While 3 of the 30 single family homes were on the market for more than 200 days, half of them went under contract in under 30 days. The sold condos ranged from an efficiency at 2nd and C NE for $185,000 to a 2BR/2BA with balcony at the Landmark Lofts@Senate Square which sold for $750,000, $75,000 under list. Good buys are always possible, particularly if you have a local market expert to help you. Alix Myerson and Aelita Brolis are experienced real estate professionals with nearly eighteen years experience between them, overseeing more than $100,000,000 of real estate transactions. For true local and knowledgeable service in the Capitol Hill DC real estate market, call Alix at 202-361-5798 or Aelita at 703-201-0322.