Downtown/Chinatown

Overview

Home to the lobby firms, attorney offices, countless national non-profit headquarters, government offices, museums, the Verizon Center, the Friendship Arch, and high-end residential executive apartments and condominiums scattered throughout, Downtown/Chinatown has many points of interest.

Downtown/Chinatown is bordered on the North by M St., Mt. Vernon Square, and Massachusetts Ave., to the South by Pennsylvania Ave. and The Mall, to the West by 22nd St., and to the East by Capitol Hill and Union Station.

Chinatown is denoted by the Friendship Arch over H St. at 7th St. However, besides a few Chinese restaurants and businesses, most of the original Chinese residents have moved to suburban areas due to gentrification.

The smaller areas of Judiciary Square and Penn Quarter are oftentimes included in the larger neighborhood of Downtown/Chinatown. Penn Quarter is known for its many theaters, museums, art galleries, FBI Headquarters, and the Verizon Center. Judiciary Square is mostly comprised of federal office buildings and municipal court houses.

NoMa was recently established in 2007 as the area just north of Massachusetts (thus the name) and to the East of Chinatown as a mixed-use development area. Most of the housing options for the area are located here in one of the many new apartment complexes. This area serves the residential needs of Georgetown University law students and Gallaudet, young professionals working downtown, and government employees working at the many nearby federal departments.

Housing

Whether a student attending Georgetown University Law School or Gallaudet, a young professional looking for his first apartment, or an executive working for one of the many federal agencies, located in the area, there are many housing options and some general expectation of which you should be aware.

Potential renters can expect large, new rental units and condos with state of the art appliances and finishings. Due to the recent construction of several large apartment complexes, many apartment options should be available. Additionally two new grocery stores have recently been added, bringing much needed food shopping options.

Renters can expect starting rates of $1300-$1500 for studios/efficiencies. Although this pricing is consistent with many other desirable neighborhoods, individual apartments will be significantly larger, newer, and with many more amenities.

Below are several featured buildings in this neighborhood for consideration. Be sure to check with each apartments' property management company for more information, availability, and current prices. And don’t be afraid to contact them! Most renters need to give 30-60 days moving notice. If you know you’re moving in the next few months, have them keep track of apartments coming available for you.

Roommates In Downtown/Chinatown

Know that you want to live in Downtown/Chinatown then check out some of the rental and roommate postings below. Want to create a posting? Click here!