Washington DC

By themarylandrealestateexpert.com

Washington DC Real Estate Revamping

If you are considering purchasing Washington, DC real estate in the Columbia Heights Subdivision , members of themarylandrealestateexpert.com at Weightman Realty can help you in all your needs. 

Currently the Columbia Heights Subdivision has been going through a revamping with the Grand Opening of DC USA shopping center. But the history behind this subdivision located in DC Northwest quadrant is also extremely interesting.  The area that the people today call Columbia Heights was originally a horse track that ran through where the Columbia Heights metro station’s location at the intersection of 14th and Irving streets.  During the 1840s the track was closed down and the land on which it sat became a village crossroad for surrounding farms and their land.  There was a stagecoach that would run to downtown Washington twice daily.  It was not until after the Civil War that Washington DC real estate prospectors started developing this subdivision and transforming it in to a suburb.  In 1822 Columbia College was founded within this subdivision’s boundaries.     In 1884 the college was moved to Foggy Bottom and was renamed George Washington University and they had already sold their land in order to be able to purchase their new property.  One of the purchasers was John Sherman; he bought 121 acres of land and named the area Columbia Heights and for some reason it stuck.  From 1902 to 1913 Henry Warderman, a famous Washington DC developer, had built over 600 row homes primarily for government workers and middle- income families.    In 1910 the government purchased some of the land that was sold by the college to build what has come to be known as Malcolm X Park.  The park spans a whopping 12 acres and features cascading fountains and statues.  It is a great place to go for a run, have a picnic, or just enjoy a day in the sun while looking at the beautiful views that this park offers.  By the 1914’s there were four streetcar lines that would get you to downtown DC within 20 minutes.  Then during the twentieth century, the neighborhood began to turn into an upscale community and over time it attracted people like author Sinclair Lewis, Supreme Court Chief Justice Melville Fuller, and famous music artist Duke Ellington.

During the roaring twenties this subdivision was thriving.  The Tivoli Theater was completed in 1924 and is considered one of the most luxurious movie theaters in the entire region.  Then by the mid twenties, Columbia Heights earned the reputation of being an important retail and entertainment destination outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown DC.

Columbia Heights suffered during the time period following the 1968 riots.  Many buildings and businesses were destroyed due to the riots.  Due to this, many residents began to relocate to the suburbs leaving properties vacant.  Most people would agree that in 2001 Columbia Heights saw a significant change after Columbia Heights Metro station was opened.  With the development of the metro station came new construction of both businesses and residences.