Pat Kennedy - Your Washington, DC Real Estate Connection

I have some fond memories of the old Watergate Hotel, notably the second most romantic dinner of my entire life at Jean-Louis’ Restaurant.  So a few years ago when this Washington landmark was about to become condominiums, I did sort of think about what it might be like to live there.

But the condos never happened.  They had the location, location, and location thing down.  It was the timing, timing and timing issue that gave the developers fits.

The Watergate Hotel was a favorite of world-renowned musicians coming to perform at Kennedy Center and lobbyists coming to perform before Congress.  If you were a diplomat with business at the State Department, it was a convenient place to stay.  By the time the hotel closed, it had gotten a little bit thin at the elbows.  But in it’s heyday, it had a bunch of stars from some of the world's most serious guide books

While several bidders had signed up for the auction, nobody showed them the money.  

The Watergate is not exactly a Grande Dame in need of a face lift.  She’s not quite old enough to be a Grande Dame.  But I do hope somebody somewhere buys this middle-aged lady and treats her well!

The next time you fly into Washington's Reagan National Airport, look to your left as the plane comes in for a landing.  There you will see the Watergate, a complex that includes a hotel, office building and coop apartments.

It was built in the late 1960's, and has been home to many members of Congress, diplomats, cabinet secretaries, and an infamous White House intern.

The apartments are spacious and most of the 600 units have large balconies.  They also have spectacular views, usually of either the Potomac River or the Washington Monument.  

If you are a music lover, you can walk over the the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and hear the National Symphony, or enjoy a night at the Opera or ballet.

For the convenience of the residents, there is a retail level in the basement with a Safeway, liquor store, bakery and a drug store.

When touring apartments in the Watergate, you never know what you will find.  There are still a few units with original kitchens and baths, but most have been updated to some degree   Many have had walls added or removed, and some units have been combined to form huge spaces.

There are currently 36 units listed for sale on MRIS.  

1-bedrooms:  11 for sale, ranging in price from $375,000 for a 7th floor 1045 square foot unit with a city view to $1,895,000 for a 15th floor penthouse with 2230 square feet of space, a large terrace and an incredible river view.   

2-bedrooms: 12 for sale, ranging from $450,000 for a 10th floor 1384 square foot unit, to a high of $4,500,000 for an 11th floor unit with 2915 square feet and a view of the Potomac River and Georgetown.  

3-bedrooms:  8 units from $799,000 for a 2136 square foot unit on the 8th floor at the point of the building, with both river and city views (offered in "as is" condition), to a 10th floor unit with wonderful views and a thorough renovation.

4-bedrooms:  4 units for sale $999,000 for a 2850 duplex on the 7th floor in "as is" condition, to $2,000,000 for another 7th floor duplex, 3675 square feet, that has been renovated. 

If you would like more information on the Watergate, please email me or call at 202-549-5167.