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observatory circle

Real Estate    Highlights    History    Adjacent Neighborhoods     Neighborhood Boundaries    Neighborhood Links     Map of Observatory Circle

Search for Homes in Observatory Circle   (Use 20007, 20008, 20016 zipcodes)
 

REAL ESTATE

     In 2011, 16 single-family homes sold in Observatory Circle for an average sale price of $1,168,020. The average list price was $1,178,000. This represents a 33% increase in the number of sales and a 21% decrease in the average sale price from 2010. Homes were on the market in 2011 for an average of 108 days.

   Listed below are the number of sales of single-family homes by price range for the past six years.

Single-Family Homes 2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

 2006 

Below $500,000 0 0 0 0 0 0
$500,000-$999,999 7 0 9 6 5 2
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 4 8 4 8 2 5
$1,500,000-$1,999,999 5 3 1 1 2 5
$2,000,000-$2,499,999 0 1 0 1 3 0
$2,500,000-$2,999,999 0 0 0 0 1 1
$3,000,000+ 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 16 12 14 17 13 13

     In 2011, 63 condo and coop units sold in Observatory Circle for an average sale price of $463,325 and an average list price of $477,209. This represents a 24% increase in the number of sales and a 4% decrease in the average sale price from 2010. The condo and coop units were on the market for an average of 129 days.

     Listed below are the number of sales of condos and coops by price range for the past six years.

Condominiums/Coops 2011 2010

2009

2008

2007

 2006 
Below $500,000 40 32 35 35 42 45
$500,000-$999,999 22 20 9 14 20 26
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 1 2 3 4 1 0
$1,500,000-$1,999,999 0 0 0 0 0 1
TOTAL 63 51 47 53 63 72

      If you have questions on how 2011 sales prices compare to the last six years or would like detailed analysis for this or other neighborhoods, contact us at 202-965-3715 or info@hananhomes.com.

    The southern tip of Observatory Circle has a block of elegant luxury homes that can be entered from Massachusetts Avenue. It is separated from the western side of the neighborhood by a portion of Rock Creek Park above Montrose and Dumbarton Oaks Parks in Georgetown. Just north of the Observatory are a few blocks of detached homes, many of which look out on the grounds of the Vice President's home and extend west to Wisconsin Avenue. At the southernmost corner of this section, at the corner of Calvert Street and Wisconsin Avenue, there is an upscale condominium. On the northern side of Massachusetts Avenue that faces St. Albans School and the National Cathedral is a grouping of another few blocks of spacious single-family homes.

     As the neighborhood of Observatory Circle crosses north over Wisconsin Avenue, the area is often referred to as Cathedral Heights. This northern area has the stately single-family homes of Cathedral Heights but also several large and small condominium complexes. The gracious Colonnade on New Mexico Avenue, with its commanding views of the neighborhood and the city, was built in 1966 and has a swimming pool and other amenities. The majestic Westchester coop complex of three buildings constructed in 1930 also has spectacular vistas and enviable grounds. There are low- and mid -level apartment buildings that have been turned into condominiums in recent years. The majority of houses in Observatory Circle are single-family Colonials and Tudor-style detached homes and bungalows. There are also semi-detached homes in those styles. A block of large townhouses was built as part of the renovation of the Alban Towers apartments.

HIGHLIGHTS

     Observatory Circle has many faces, all of them exceptional.  It has the imposing grounds of the Naval Observatory, the Vice President's residence and its surroundings, the embassies on and near Massachusetts Avenue, and the beautiful homes on tree-lined streets on both sides of Wisconsin Avenue. It is actually a grouping of three or four communities, each with their own charm. There is no commercial area in Observatory Circle, but  the neighborhood has access to shopping on Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New Mexico Avenues. Annunciation parochial school is located in Observatory Circle as is Hope Community, a preschool-to-kindergarten charter school.

HISTORY

      The observatory was first established in 1844 on Camp Hill in Foggy Bottom to create and store navigational charts. When the Navy became involved in astronomy, it became renowned when its astronomer, Asaph Hall, discovered the two moons on Mars. In 1893, the observatory was moved to its current location to ensure its isolation from the noise and vibrations of downtown that might affect the sensitive equipment.

     It was safely in the country until the streetcar and then automobiles brought growth to the area. Observatory Circle was installed along Massachusetts Avenue to reroute traffic away from the Observatory. The Victorian manor which was located on the grounds was once used by high-ranking Navy admirals. When Gerald Ford became President, the house became the vice president's residence in 1975, when Nelson Rockefeller was Vice President. 

ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOODS

North CLEVELAND PARK
East MASS. AVENUE HEIGHTS, KALORAMA
South GEORGETOWN
West BURLEITH, GLOVER PARK, WESLEY HEIGHTS

NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES

North Massachusetts Ave., Garfield St.
East 34th St., Massachusetts Ave.
South S St., Tunlaw St.
West Wisconsin Ave., 42nd St.

NEIGHBORHOOD LINKS

ANC3c

Map of Observatory Circle

To discover more about current listings and recent home sales in observatory circle and the washington dc real estate market:

Call or e-mail us at
202-965-3715
info@hananhomes.com

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To discover more about Observatory Circle and the Washington DC real estate market, including current listings and recent home sales, contact us:
202-965-3715  info@hananhomes.com

Observatory Circle Washington DC real estate agents

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luxury condos and coops in Observatory Circle in Washington DC

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