Washington D.C. Neighborhood Guide:
Kalorama

Welcome to Kalorama

Does living in a historic D.C. neighborhood known for its sophistication, privacy, and international flavor appeal to you?

The Kalorama neighborhood is located within Washington, D.C.’s Northwest Quadrant, which is famous for its influential residents. Some of D.C.’s elite live in this area, which is about a mile from downtown, including the Obamas, Jeff Bezos, and various diplomats. The region is referred to as Washington’s Beverly Hills because it’s THE place to live when residing in D.C..

One reason for the neighborhood’s exclusivity is its hilltop location. The first houses built in the area looked out over the city because of the elevation, and over the years, Mediterranean, Georgian-Revival, and Colonial mansions have appeared on its residential streets.

There is a serenity to Kalorama as it’s quite literally “off the grid.” The residential streets of Kalorama were exempted from D.C.’s gridded layout system as development expanded outward from downtown. The very walkable Kalorama neighborhood streets are lined with trees, and the historic homes and apartment buildings make this a desirable location for families and young professionals alike.

An Overview of Living in Kalorama

Kalorama has two distinct districts: Kalorama Heights in the southwest and the Kalorama Triangle in the north.

Kalorama Heights is the quieter of the two because it’s away from busier neighborhoods like Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. The Kalorama Triangle, on the other hand, borders Adams Morgan, which has a lively entertainment district.

Both districts are extremely walkable thanks to the ample sidewalks and lack of traffic. There is enough space on these streets for various activities, including walking the dog and jogging.

Kalorama is aesthetically stunning, thanks to its classic architecture. It isn’t a modern neighborhood with cookie-cutter buildings. The historic homes and apartments that line the streets are full of character and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The location is also great because you’re minutes from downtown and the National Mall. This position makes Kalorama the ideal neighborhood to live in when working in government. Georgetown University is nearby, too. Kalorama offers a mix of serenity and luxury, history, and international flair, which makes it desirable to many.

Featured Apartments in Kalorama

Kalorama is a private, leafy green neighborhood with distinguished estates overlooking Rock Creek Park. Kalorama apartments make a person feel like they’re a world away from bustling D.C. but in fact, they’re quite close. The apartments in this neighborhood include:

The Sedgewick Apartments

1722 19th Street NW

The Sedgewick Apartments are located just outside of Kalorama in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. These apartments come in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom varieties. They feature walk-in closets and open-concept layouts. Every apartment is newly renovated with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, and the quiet location creates a sense of calm.

1830 R St. NW Apartments

1830 R Street NW

Sitting near the border between Kalorama and Dupont Circle, 1830 R St. NW Apartments have studio and one-bedroom options in a friendly community. Each apartment features abundant closet space, hardwood flooring, and high ceilings, and the pet-friendly building is within easy reach of the Dupont Circle Metro station.

The Rodney Apartments in D.C.

1911 R Street, NW

Located near where Kalorama and Dupont Circle meet, The Rodney Apartments in D.C. offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites with modern amenities and sophisticated style. The building is pet-friendly and has features like a package storage system, smart laundry, and video controlled access.

Visit the Outdoors

There is plenty of space for outdoor activities in Kalorama, thanks to the neighborhood’s parks.

Kalorama Park is in the Kalorama Triangle area. The three-acre park features basketball courts, a playground, walking paths, picnic tables, and plenty of green space in a quiet residential section of the neighborhood.

Experience Local History

The classic-architecture homes of Kalorama offer plenty of history. There are two official historic districts – Sheridan-Kalorama and Kalorama Triangle – both of which have this designation because of their vintage buildings.

The President Woodrow Wilson House is steps from Mitchell Park. It’s the home where Wilson spent his post-presidency retirement. Today, the building is a museum featuring artifacts and some of his personal property.

Present-day Mitchell Park also has historical significance because it’s where Anthony Holmead II built a house in 1795. During the Civil War, the home was used as a Union Hospital. It was later accidentally set on fire in 1865, re-built, turned into the German Embassy, and eventually demolished again.

Mitchell Park is currently a neighborhood park in Kalorama Heights with a baseball diamond and a playground. This dog-friendly park hosts concerts and other gatherings in the summer, making it a cultural hub in the neighborhood. The park is only an eight-minute stroll to The Sedgewick.

History is everywhere in Kalorama, and living there puts you in the midst of one of America’s most important historical neighborhoods.

Explore the World’s Embassies

Massachusetts Avenue, on the south end of Kalorama Heights, features several international embassies, including Japan, India, Korea, and Turkey. The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., is also on this street.

Massachusetts Avenue is a great place to wander if you’re interested in architecture because many of the buildings have a unique flair to them. There are residences among the embassy buildings, as well.

Check Out the Spanish Steps

One of Kalorama’s most recognizable sites is the Spanish Steps. These steps are one of Washington’s most romantic locations because they’re hidden away from the rest of the city and feature a calming fountain and beautiful flowers.

Heading to the Spanish Steps is always a good choice when looking for an escape because of its peacefulness.

Find Local Restaurants

Kalorama isn’t known for its dining or nightlife, but you will find a few good places to eat on Connecticut Avenue and Columbia Road.

If you’re looking for something exotic, Lapis is a modern Afghan bistro that serves home-style dishes cooked with local, seasonal ingredients.

18th Street NW, which is just east of the Kalorama Triangle, is loaded with bars and restaurants within close proximity.

Grand Duchess is a neighborhood cocktail bar in the middle of Adams Morgan that serves classic cocktails, house-made tortillas, and has a Supper Club option.

There are many more dining options on Connecticut Avenue NW and P Street NW in Dupont Circle. Having access to this dining and nightlife without having it right on your doorstep keeps the neighborhood quiet and is one reason for its popularity with the elite.

Discover Nearby Schools

Kalorama is home to Emerson Preparatory School, an institution dating back to 1852 that prepares students for university.

Other nearby schools include the newly renovated Marie Reed Elementary School, Ross Elementary School, St. Augustine Catholic School, and the School Without Walls High School at George Washington University.

There are plenty of excellent schools in the Kalorama area, providing more than enough options for students of all ages.

Get Around on Public Transportation

Getting around without a vehicle in Kalorama is simple, thanks to D.C.’s public transportation system.

The Woodley Park Metro Station provides trips on the Metrorail system from the Kalorama Triangle. The Red Line takes you directly to Metro Center Station in minutes, where the rest of downtown is accessible on foot. Metrobus and the D.C. Circulator also have stops in the Kalorama Triangle.

Kalorama Heights is close to the Woodley Park and Dupont Circle Metrorail stops. The only bus stops in Kalorama Heights are on Massachusetts Avenue near the embassies. This station is a four-minute stroll from The Rodney and 1830 R St NW and a five-minute walk from The Sedgewick.

Living in Kalorama

The Kalorama neighborhood is one of D.C.’s most desirable areas to reside, whether you already live in Washington D.C. or are relocating. Its quiet, historic charm, elegant nature, and proximity to bustling D.C. make it an ideal area for living. Contact DARO Apartments to speak with one of our leasing experts and find your new apartment home in the D.C. area today.

Washington D.C. Neighborhood Guide:
Kalorama

Welcome to Kalorama

An Overview of Living in Kalorama