Southwest DC

Southwest DC is a unique quadrant in the nation’s capital. After a massive 1950s and 1960s urban renewal project demolished much of the area’s buildings, Southwest DC began anew with a clean slate. Capitalizing on the waterfront location and utilizing modern architecture, large high-rise buildings were constructed to house thousands of new residents, who would later fight to preserve the architecture in this new planned community located close to the US Capitol. This tight-knit community would once again witness a large-scale construction boom after the turn on the 21st century, as upscale hotels, most noticeably the Mandarin-Oriental, and high-end condominiums were built, complemented by new restaurants, shops, and services. The waterfront area—home to a community of live-aboard houseboats and sailboats—would also later completely transform, anchored by The Wharf project. Biking and walking trails also introduced Washingtonians to this hidden jewel in the capital. Southwest DC remains a community-minded neighborhood with a thriving arts scene, important religious institutions, and nonprofit organizations, as well as government offices.