Bloomingdale Neighborhood Profile
Authenticity and charm abound in Bloomingdale. Enjoy colorful Victorian rowhouses, a brightly-painted downtown district and striking murals in this hip, boho neighborhood.
Bloomingdale is known for its sense of community and architectural charm. Lined with picturesque row houses, many in the Victorian and Edwardian style, and home to a diverse mix of residents, the neighborhood offers a unique blend of local businesses, trendy eateries, and a strong community spirit.
Bloomingdale’s real estate market is driven by its proximity to downtown, the neighborhood’s historic aesthetic, and the ongoing development of amenities. Renovated homes, in particular, showcase a mix of classic features and modern updates, contributing to the area’s appeal. Bloomingdale’s real estate landscape reflects a dynamic mix of old and new, making it an exciting destination for those seeking a historic, yet vibrant, living experience in the nation’s capital.
Victorian architecture
Short residential streets
Proximity to Shaw amenities
Unique retail
Shaw
LeDroit Park
Mt Vernon Triangle
Eckington
Bloomingdale History
Bloomingdale Estate
The neighborhood began as several large estates and orchards located just outside the original boundary of the City of Washington. Bloomingdale residential development began in the late 1880s, shortly after the County of Washington was absorbed by the City of Washington. Boundary Street (Florida Avenue), was the dividing line between paved, planned streets to the south and rural country to the north, where landowners maintained orchards and large country estates. Later, some of these gave way to commercial properties.
George Beale and wife Emily purchased a 10-acre parcel of land along the City boundary in 1823 and named it the “Bloomingdale Estate.” The estate eventually grew to 50 acres and the name stuck. After Emily Beale’s death in 1885, her heirs began to sell large tracts of the estate to developers, who created residential developments between the already established LeDroit Park and Eckington neighborhoods. By 1887, city planners were talking about extending the city’s paved street grid into Bloomingdale. By 1894.roads were improved, curbed, and paved. Streams and creeks like Tiber Creek were buried or re-directed south of Bloomingdale. One section of the Tiber Creek in Bloomingdale ran along what is now Flagler Place.
Modern Bloomingdale
Some of the earliest Bloomingdale homes were built between 1892 and 1900. One of the first was 2122 1st Street, built in 1900 by Samuel Gompers. In 1903, eleven homes were built along Rhode Island Avenue. Spec homes by developers like Harry Wardman, S. H. Meyers and Francis Blundon followed. Many of Wardman’s early Bloomingdale homes incorporate elements of Richardson Romanesque architecture, while his later designs on Adams and Bryant Streets, were designed in the set-back, brick with covered front porch style for which he’s most famous. Blundon built several homes along 1st Street including his own home at 100 W Street. In 1904, Nathaniel Parker Gage School was constructed on the 2000 block of 2nd Street. By 1909, the old estates had all been sold and divided, and the neighborhood street layout had been fully developed into its present configuration. Many homes in the northern section of Bloomingdale retain carriage houses, some of which have been converted to private residences. The Gage School was converted to condominiums in 2007. On May 22, 2010, the city officially dedicated a new alley street, Bloomingdale Court, N.W. between the 100 block of U and V Streets, N.W., and the 2000 block of 1st Street and Flagler Place.
Bloomingdale Schools
Public & In-Boundary Schools (DCPS):
Langley Elementary School PreK–5
McKinley Middle School Grades 6–8
Cardozo Education Campus Grades 6–12
Dunbar High School Grades 9–12
Nearby Charter & Specialized Schools
BASIS DC Grades 5–12 High-performing public charter school
You can check specific address boundaries and current enrollment details using the official DCPS School Profiles portal.
Disclaimer:
We are not attorneys, legal experts, investment counselors, or CPAs. The content on this channel is presented for informational purposes only and derived from reliable sources, but should not be considered legal, financial, investment, transaction or real estate practice advice. Susan Isaacs and Compass, their principals and/or representatives, do not guarantee or warrant its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to any specific real estate transaction. Homebuyers should read applicable D.C. law and code as part of their due diligence, and seek help from licensed, qualified professionals for interpretation and application to their specific transaction.