Is it worth it to buy at the Watergate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the Ritz Carlton apartments farther north but still close to Ken Cen.

OP here. I can't fathom paying all that money to have a gas station on the property and a fire station across the street. It'd be cool to step right down to the Equinox from home, but that's the only positive as I see it.

[Anonymous]

^ my apologies, the gas station is across the street, not on the property

[Anonymous]

Also the Ritz isn't a co-op - so their fees are just that. I mean, you gotta pay to live at the Ritz.

[Anonymous]

IMO - most of the condo buildings in Foggy Bottom are kinda old. If you want to live in a condo in that area, I'd recommend West End (where the Ritz is). You have 2501 M (building with Nobu), The Columbia (building with TJ's), West Light (building with the library), and 22 West (building with Rasika and the gas station). There are a number of smaller buildings too (and they are building some new ones right on the 2500 block of Penn Ave).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO - most of the condo buildings in Foggy Bottom are kinda old. If you want to live in a condo in that area, I'd recommend West End (where the Ritz is). You have 2501 M (building with Nobu), The Columbia (building with TJ's), West Light (building with the library), and 22 West (building with Rasika and the gas station). There are a number of smaller buildings too (and they are building some new ones right on the 2500 block of Penn Ave).

I'm very interested in the 2 bolded buildings. Would you mind sharing your experience with them, especially wrt noise transmission between units? -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that coops won't let you rent out your unit, unlike condos? I've heard that, but am not sure it's correct. That would be a negative for me, because life plans can always change.

This is true, you can only have long term occupants and you are not allowed to charge them rent.

[Anonymous]

This can also be true in a condo building, the HOA may restrict how many units can be rentals, and their may be a waiting list.

[Anonymous]

Coops are owned by the shareholders and you make the rules. There is no “them”

My coop rule was one unit per person. No renting allowed till year two. Then we charge 13 months common charges on rental units.

We did not want investors owning properties, but realized things change so wanted people to have flex to rent. Primary owners felt since they get stuck headache or living next to renters they should pay that 13th month maint.

We also did not charge fee immediate family members. I could rent to sister or daughter no fee

[Anonymous]

Low ceilings. Very dated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have friends in Watergate South. On the plus side, the community seems really nice. I've met several of their neighbors and they're a friendly, down-to-earth, interesting bunch. They are, I should say, all retirement age or near it. The vibe is definitely old-people's building.

These friends report that the number of residents in the building is falling, because the trend is for incredibly rich people to buy and combine multiple units. Between that and the apparent age profile, I'm not sure it would feel like a place with a lot of community for a younger person.

The big downside for me is that it's incredibly loud on the balcony. Huge balcony overlooking the Potomac and it should be idyllic, but the noise from Rock Creek Parkway is amplified by the shape of the building and it's nonstop. Inside the apartment with the windows closed it's very quiet. But in a building where the river views are so much of the attraction, it's a shame to have that big drawback to the outdoor space.

I am also honestly not a fan of the kind of wedge-shaped layouts of the apartments, where there are only windows at one end. If I were going to splash out for a DC coop in a historic building, I'd look for one with multiple exposures. But that's me.

Thank you for your insight; this is the kind of insider info I was looking for . I don't mind the lack of community, but the noise is a great point: that there will probably be some airplane noise, too, in addition to the Rock Creek Parkway noise. I imagine it'd get old quickly if you're there to relax or have a conversation as cars honk and planes are taking off or landing; it can be annoying having to talk over the planes at East Potomac, for example. Great point about light only coming in from one side as well; exposure is something I hadn't considered, even though I love natural light, but it's so true. Thank you again. -OP

There are beautiful condos on Connecticut Ave and also on Cathedral Ave . The Westchester is so glamorous, and also lots of midcentury modern. Watch out for those fees and assessments though - that's where it racks up. Honestly, I'd just rent for a while?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO - most of the condo buildings in Foggy Bottom are kinda old. If you want to live in a condo in that area, I'd recommend West End (where the Ritz is). You have 2501 M (building with Nobu), The Columbia (building with TJ's), West Light (building with the library), and 22 West (building with Rasika and the gas station). There are a number of smaller buildings too (and they are building some new ones right on the 2500 block of Penn Ave).

1001 26th is an underrated gem with unobstructed views

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO - most of the condo buildings in Foggy Bottom are kinda old. If you want to live in a condo in that area, I'd recommend West End (where the Ritz is). You have 2501 M (building with Nobu), The Columbia (building with TJ's), West Light (building with the library), and 22 West (building with Rasika and the gas station). There are a number of smaller buildings too (and they are building some new ones right on the 2500 block of Penn Ave).

I'm very interested in the 2 bolded buildings. Would you mind sharing your experience with them, especially wrt noise transmission between units? -OP

1001 26th is solid concrete, no noise. The added bonus is that each unit has its own hvac drawing right from the outside by your French balcony. It’s not new but it’s very solid and the views are unparalleled. Plus it’s very quiet, next to Nobu and the Embassy. There are unrenod condos that are a bargain but need a lot of work. Probably best to buy a renod one. Have you considered renting first?