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Are you in the market for a historic home with character in the Washington, DC, area?  Does a remodeled Victorian row house located within a few miles of the US capitol, downtown area, and several prestigious and well-known universities sound like your dream home? The Bloomingdale & LeDroit neighborhoods may be just what you're looking for.  

Bloomingdale is located in Ward 5 and lies right in the heart of the Washington, DC area with neighboring LeDroit Park to its west. This revived community is an ideal "suburb" in DC, and is home to older and new younger residents alike.  

Some notable past residents of the Bloomingdale/LeDroit neighborhoods include Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federation of Labor in 1886; Chita Rivera, an accomplished Broadway star and recipient of the Kennedy Center honor by the president; and founders of the first privately owned black art gallery, James V. Herring and Alonzo J. Aden.  

There is a new and hip scene happening in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park areas. You will find a sense of community and belonging here at Big Bear Cafe, located at 1^st and R St NW, and at Cookie's Corner, located at 2^nd Street & Elm NW. Check out Big Bear Cafe if you enjoy a warm, friendly and interesting atmosphere and great mix of clientele. Their coffee and sandwiches are highly recommended. During the summer and fall months there is also a neighborhood farmers market on R St. immediately in front of Big Bear that was recently rated among the best in DC. Cookie's Corner is a convenience store that offers pizza as well as sandwiches, owned by the same owner as LeDroit Park Market. You will find both of these local establishments a welcome addition to the neighborhood. 

In addition to Big Bear there is a wave of new restaurants coming to the area with the first of these, Rustik, opening just recently in September. Already the reviews are great and Rustik is drawing crowds from outside of the neighborhood as well. Check it out if you are interested in a casual dinner out - Rustik is at 1^st and T St. NW.   

If you are not quite sold on owning a Victorian row house, Parker Flats is a relatively new development in the area and appeals to those in the luxury condominium market. In 2005, Gage School was transformed into Parker Flats, an award-winning three-site housing development. BloomingdaleDC.org notes that "The development of this 90+ residential project has turned a community eyesore into a well-integrated project."  

Already the development has won the 2008 AIA Northern Virginia Chapter, Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture, and the 2008 DC AIA Chapter/Washingtonian Residential Design Awards: Exceptional Design Award. Since these flats are selling quickly with no units remaining in the original Gage School building and only 3 units remaining in the newer buildings, the homes are popular with buyers too. 

Take a closer look at the Bloomingdale/LeDroit neighborhoods. You will find this historic, close-knit community has undergone a revitalization. If ties to the community, a sense of belonging, and beautiful architecture with a past are appealing to you, come for a visit. Prices are still affordable here but on the rise. If you are interested in seeing some of the options that exist, don't hesitate to call Rachel Valentino, DC's "Best Real Estate Agent" as voted by the Washington City Paper for a no-pressure consultation. Rachel is on top of DC's real estate scene and active in all avenues of the market - including private residences, new construction, luxury market and the condo and co-op community.