5 Reasons People Love Kalorama, D.C.

 

Kalorama is a quiet, upscale, and sophisticated neighborhood in the Washington, D.C. area. It is extremely photogenic and home to many ambassadorial and grand homes. Locals often stroll along the tree-lined streets to enjoy the blossoms and mature trees. 

 

It’s a little slice of heaven amid the bustling metropolitan area. It’s no surprise, then, that the Kalorama real estate market has attracted some of the best and brightest minds of our nation. The high cost of living in Kalorama pays off, especially since this is a truly sublime place to call home. The name “Kalorama” means “beautiful view” in Greek, and this affluent neighborhood certainly lives up to its reputation. 

 

If you are looking to buy a home, a business, or even invest in property in Kalorama, the following list will provide you with reasons to move forward in your search. Why do residents love living in Kalorama? Read on to find out.

 

It’s a Historical Location

All of Washington, D.C. is renowned for its historical legacy, but Kalorama is a quiet subsection of the big city that has been home to six presidents. Living in Kalorama will make you feel part of an important moment in time. Residents live among the presence of Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Herbert Hoover, and William Howard Taft. Barack Obama and his family have also lived in Kalorama since his presidency ended in 2017. 

 

Not only is Kalorama steeped in historical importance, but it is also home to several notable landmarks. Woodrow Wilson's House, located near Embassy Row, has been declared a National Historic Landmark. It is open to the public and carries with it a sense of refinement. 

 

Speaking of Embassy Row, Washington's most prestigious residential area is home to several embassies and diplomatic missions. Kalorama homeowners live amongst the crème de la crème. 

 

Visitors often frequent the Spanish Steps, which refers to the famous steps in Rome. The steps were once known as the Decatur Terrace Steps and Fountain, where they've been in place since 1911 and underwent restoration in 1999. The Spanish Steps are the only public park in Washington, D.C. that occupies a street rather than a large plot of land. 

 

The William Taft Bridge connects Kalorama to Woodley Park. The bridge and its iconic concrete lions make for a great photo opportunity. Kalorama is also home to the former Textile Museum, now owned by Jeff Bezos. 

 

Another charming feature of the neighborhood is the preservation of old-school “call boxes” from the 19th century, which citizens used to call the police or fire station. These days, the call boxes have been commemorated as outdoor exhibits honoring the neighborhood’s history.

 

Kalorama is historic not only because of its past residents and landmarks. Many of its actual residential construction began in the early 1900s. A few of its luxury apartment buildings, such as The Westmoreland and The Mendota, are over a century old.

 

An additional place of intrigue and diverse culture is the Kalorama Historic District, which was part of the 19th-century estate of Kalorama before it developed into a thriving community. The Kalorama Triangle was first subdivided in the 1880s. 

 

Nowadays, it remains as a testament to the architectural styles of the eras when it was built. Walking through the district will highlight multiple building styles, such as Mediterranean, Italian, Spanish, and Georgian Revival. Other prominent buildings in the area include the Woodrow Apartments and the Lothrop Mansion. 

 

The Neighborhood Is Quiet and Peaceful

While Washington, D.C. is a thriving city full of people, businesses, high-end shopping, and every restaurant you can think of, Kalorama is a much more subdued neighborhood that isn't exactly known for its retail therapy. That's a good thing for most people since it means you're less likely to run into traffic jams or high volumes of people walking around. 

 

Does that mean you have to go a long way to get to the grocery store? No—luckily for Kalorama residents, you get the best of both worlds. That and there’s occasionally a farmer’s market on the weekends that sells fresh produce and gourmet meats and cheeses. There are also some high-end restaurants in the neighborhood, such as the trendy Bistrot du Coin. 

 

Aside from DuPont Circle, Kalorama is home to over 20 different embassies and it’s very close to the White House. Traveling to and from the city is accessible with public transportation—the Woodley Park Metro Station is located near the Taft Bridge. 

 

The Dupont Circle Metro station is located near Connecticut Avenue. There are a number of quick paths to the airport and Downtown D.C. if you're interested in the local nightlife. 

 

The neighborhood isn't just peaceful in the sense that it’s quiet and reserved—there are a lot of walking paths and flower nurseries to meander through when you want to enjoy a little tranquility. The lawns are well-manicured and lined with gorgeous trees and flora. 

 

There are plenty of parks to get some exercise and fresh air. One of the most famous is Mitchell Park, where Barack Obama has been known to walk his dog. The park has several athletic courts.

 

Plus, there are a lot of notable political figures living in the neighborhood. Many of them often travel, leaving their homes vacant and quiet. It's not likely that you'll ever be disturbed by your neighbors being loud at night. 

 

One thing you might not realize is that there are technically two different neighborhoods in Kalorama; there is the Kalorama Triangle and the Sheridan-Kalorama. The Sheridan-Kalorama district is home to many of the area’s wealthiest residents, while Embassy Row is located in the Sheridan-Kalorama district. Fittingly, Embassy Row is home to many Colonial-style homes and is located on an elevated plot of land. 

 

There is only one main shop in the area called the Open Door Market, which functions as a small grocer and a laundromat. They also sell wine and have a deli.

 

Excellent Schools

Kalorama is a small area, but it does have its own school system. One of the primary high schools in Tenleytown functions as Kalorama’s high school. It is named after President Woodrow Wilson, who formerly lived in Kalorama. 

 

Woodrow Wilson High is the second-best high school in the entire city. It is also the top non-magnet school in Washington, D.C. Surprisingly, Woodrow Wilson High is a public school, so you won't have to pay private school tuition to give your child an excellent education. 

 

Notable alumni include Warren Buffet and Jim Henson. Depending on where you live in Kalorama, your children may attend Marie Reed Elementary School in the Adams-Morgan area. It is renowned for its two-way Spanish immersion program and has an esteemed reputation.

 

Famous Neighbors

Kalorama's claim to fame is its attraction to the rich and famous. Multiple presidents have called Kalorama home, including the Obamas. Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos also owns property in the area. 

 

In fact, Bezos paid $23 million for the largest private estate in the neighborhood, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson owns a multi-million dollar home nearby. What is it that attracts celebrities and notable political figures to this particular neighborhood? The same things that all residents love about it.

 

The odds are high that while you're going on a stroll around the block, you might see someone familiar watering the garden or taking their dog for a walk. Kalorama residents know how to be discreet and neighborly. While it may give them a quiet thrill to realize they're rubbing elbows with political elites, no one is keen to spy or gossip on their neighbors. 

 

There Is a Variety of Housing

Georgian, Mediterranean, and Colonial Revival architecture are all popular in Kalorama real estate. However, for those who have a fondness for modernity, there is a mixture of renovated and modernized homes available, too. Despite the neighborhood's upscale reputation, the houses come in a range of sizes and designs. 

 

Whether you're interested in buying or renting a cozy townhouse or a spacious multi-roomed abode, odds are you'll be able to find the perfect property for you. Even though the cost of living in Kalorama is high, houses don't stay on the market for long. Many people are eager to live in this charming neighborhood, thanks to its prime location and atmosphere. 

 

Combined, Marin Hagen and Sylvia Bergstrom have over 50 years of real estate experience under their belts. They are a great selection when looking for the perfect agent to find your dream residence among the many Kalorama real estate options. 

 

If you're planning to purchase property in the Kalorama area, contact Hagen and Bergstrom today. They're also knowledgeable about the NOVA real estate market at large.