Many newcomers and locals in Washington, DC strive to live in historic homes like Capitol Hill or Georgetown. Who can blame them? Living in a storied residence from the turn of the century is a great talking point when hosting friends for dinner.
But if you are tired of brick facades and aged infrastructure and want something modern and new, you will want to check out The Wharf area of D.C.
This Waterfront oasis is where you want to search if you are looking for new construction condos. With beautiful views of the Potomac River, many restaurants and entertainment venues, and easy access to the rest of The District, there are plenty of reasons to move to The Wharf.
But nailing down why you should move to this eclectic slice of D.C. can be challenging. That is why the team at Prevu Real Estate outlined the top reasons residents choose to live near The Wharf.
Reasons to live near The Wharf in DC
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Convenient location to reach the rest of D.C.
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Unique waterfront culture
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Fun festival and art scene
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Plenty of new construction condos
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Fantastic food right outside your door
Easy to reach the rest of D.C.
One of the biggest draws of living in The Wharf is the easy commute throughout D.C. Since the district is right in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood, there are many convenient ways to access the rest of the city. The Wharf is just south of the National Mall, just minutes from many of the city's top attractions.
Folks can hop on a green line train at the Waterfront Metro station to reach the rest of the city. There are a few Metrobus stops in the area if you need to get around The Wharf quickly, too. But if you find yourself commuting to Georgetown, National Harbor, or National Landing, you can hop on the Water Taxi for a scenic and practical commute on the Potomac.
If you have to drive for work, you will love living at The Wharf, as many of the waterfront buildings offer private parking for residents. Plus, the Wharf is right near the 395 Dwight D. Eisenhower Freeway, making it easy to head toward Maryland or Virginia.
Getting around town is easy on the weekends, as you can always catch folks going out for a stroll or cycling along the shores of the Potomac. Many folks head east or west along Maine Avenue S.W., then head north on one of the numbered streets to reach Capitol Hill or K Street.
Best of all, if you are a frequent flier, you will love the quick and easy trip to Reagan National Airport, BWI Airport, and Dulles from The Wharf.
Unique waterfront culture
Washington, D.C., is a waterfront city but does not offer many waterfront homes like other American cities such as Seattle. Yet, if you desire the shorefront lifestyle, you will want to check out The Wharf.
The shining gem of The Wharf is the 3 million square foot mixed-use space that includes restaurants, hotels, a recreation pier, retail stores, office space, and residences. There are numerous waterfront parks, promenades, and multiple piers offering great views of the river for you to find.
The biggest draw of The Wharf is all the water activities you can get involved in. If you have your own vessel, you can get a slip for it at Capital Yacht Club, the Washington Marina Company, or The Wharf Marina. But many folks spend their time paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, and boating on the Potomac.
Hain's Point creates the Washington Channel, a natural harbor protecting folks from the Potomac's shipping lanes. This small island is where golfers can play a round of golf at the East Potomac Golf Links or reserve some time to play tennis at the Washington, D.C. Tennis Courts.
Fun festival and arts scene
Most of the folks moving to The Wharf cite the beautiful condos and easy transportation. But one of the top reasons people move to The Wharf is the happening culture and restaurant scene.
On almost any weekend of the year, you can find festivals, concerts, and outdoor movie screenings happening at the Wharf and its prime waterfront locale. From the mysterious International Spy Museum to artsy haunts like ARTECHOUSE DC, there are activities for every kind of city-goer.
There are plenty of community events at The Wharf, such as Bloomaroo, an arts and music festival celebrating the blossoming cherry blossoms that transform the waterfront each spring. But if you miss the spring bloom, you can find various food, drink, and music festivals throughout the year at The Wharf.
If you love to catch live music, you'll love The Wharf, as The Anthem music hall is right in the heart of this waterfront district, providing a stage for national acts like The Foo Fighters, Kali Uchis, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But you can also catch local Go-Go funk shows each night of the week at locales like Pearl Street Warehouse and Union Stage.
Plenty of new construction condos
While the restaurants, festivals, and riverfront views are sublime, most people move to The Wharf for the new high-rise condominiums. Packed with modern amenities, great interior features like floor-to-ceiling windows, and awesome views, many buyers visit The Wharf to tour buildings like The VIO, 525 Water, and Amaris.
These buildings are all relatively new and offer top-of-the-line amenities and appliances for new residents. For instance, VIO offers residents weight machines, free weights, and cardio equipment in their fitness center. Amaris takes this a step further, offering a 25-yard saltwater lap pool with two lanes and a spa suite to unwind after tiring days in The District.
These buildings usually offer top-of-the-line finishes for buyers, even providing the opportunity to customize the space. For instance, folks buying space in 601 Maine get hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, and custom cabinetry.
Fantastic food right outside your door
One of the best parts of living at The Wharf is all the great restaurants and fresh food markets to sample. From dining outside by the water to grabbing brunch with friends, there is something for everyone down by The Wharf.
If you want to dine on delicious Spanish-style seafood while watching the sunset over the Potomac, you'll want to head to Del Mar, just south of the Transit Pier at The Wharf. This is next to The Anthem, making it a perfect choice for dining before a night of music.
If a well-crafted whiskey cocktail is more your style, check out Kirwan's on the Wharf, an Irish taproom offering pub bites and an exhaustive whiskey and beer list. Although the best way to dine and take in the views is via a rooftop bar, and Officina offers one of the coolest views of East Potomac Park across Washington Channel.
But dining at The Wharf is not all fancy sit-downs and pub crawling. One of the favorite local haunts is Camp Wharf, which offers visitors Adirondack chairs around roaring fire pits for folks to roast marshmallows as they take in a movie with an apple cider.
If finding fresh fish to cook is essential, you'll love the Municipal Fish Market. It is the oldest continuously-operating open-air fish market in the United States, dating back to 1805, and is an iconic D.C. destination for hungry locals and visitors seeking fresh fish, crabs, and cooked seafood.
