Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale is bordered by Channing Street NW, Bryant Street NW, 2nd Street NW, North Capitol Street NW, and Florida Avenue NW.

Most of the housing stock in this wedge-shaped neighborhood consists of Victorian rowhomes and converted condominium buildings. Some of the older rowhomes have been turned into two units, while others retain their original (and expansive) single-family construction. Frequently, you’ll find modern features married with historical details.

Many of the homes along Bloomingdale’s quiet side streets embody the spirit of front-porch culture. Covered front porches and cherished front gardens add a quaint, small-town feel to this small but popular northwest DC neighborhood.

The result is a location that offers residents a distinctly urban vibe nestled among classic DC rowhomes, and one that seamlessly blends in with several other trendy neighborhoods, including LeDroit Park, Shaw, and the U Street Corridor.

19TH-CENTURY FARMLAND

Bloomingdale’s story begins at the start of the 19th century, when it was originally composed of estate homes and farms, prominent among them the 50-acre Bloomingdale Estate belonging to George and Emily Truxton Beale.

By the end of the century, developers including Harry Wardman had filled the streets with gorgeous homes that still stand today.

One of the neighborhood’s earlier residents wasn’t an individual but a creek brought about by the neighborhood’s geographic location in a low-lying area of the city. In the early 1900s, Tyber Creek, which fed into the Potomac River, was buried in the wake of continued development. (It’s now the name of an eclectic neighborhood wine bar, Tyber Creek Wine Bar & Kitchen.)

CHARM AND COMMUNITY

Today, Bloomingdale has become a popular northwest Washington DC neighborhood whose charm only keeps growing.

Recent years have seen a flourishing of restaurants and bars that cater to young families and singles alike. Take a walk on a nice afternoon and you’re bound to see neighbors and visitors out for a stroll or a bite to eat along Rhode Island Avenue. Some of the more popular spots include Windows Market, Boundary Stone, The Red Hen, and Crisp Kitchen + Bar. There’s also the Bloomingdale Farmers Market (open on Sundays from May to November).

Bloomingdale is also served by its own civic association, which dates back to 1921 and is a great way for new and old residents to get involved and stay active in the future of their community. And that involvement is especially important given that, in 2018, Bloomingdale was designed a historic district in Washington DC by the DC Historic Preservation Review Board and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Move

Walk to the Shaw-Howard University Metro station (serving the Green and Yellow Lines). Hop onto Rhode Island Avenue and North Capitol Streets (both of which also include Metrobus stops). Stroll over to U Street and Logan Circle.

Dine

Dine on a hot chicken sandwich like no other at Crisp Kitchen + Bar. Enjoy stomach-satisfying pub grub at Boundary Stone and delicious Italian dishes at Red Hen. Get an authentic dive-bar experience at Showtime.

Live

Spend the day relaxing and rejuvenating at Crispus Attucks Park. Connect with neighbors at the annual Bloomingdale Community Day. Exercise Fido at the nearby Gage Eckington Dog Park. Practice your sun salutations at Yoga District.

Shop

Pick up groceries at three nearby grocery stores (Giant Food, Safeway, and Harris Teeter) or fresh veggies and fruits at the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on Sundays. Host a holiday party at Big Bear Café’s patios and gardens.