Shaw, Washington, D.C.
Historic Shaw is one of the most dynamic and hippest communities in Washington, D.C. today. With the recent revitalization of the area, the neighborhood has seen a rapid increase in new bars and restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops, and real estate properties.
Known as the “Harlem of Washington, D.C.”, Shaw was settled in the late 19th century by freed slaves who thrived in the community and turned it into a mecca for African-American culture. In the early 1900s, legendary artists, including Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, and Shaw native Duke Ellington, performed at the neighborhood’s Howard Theatre and Lincoln Theatre, in an area that came to be known as “Black Broadway.”
All these changed in the late 1960s, however, when the era’s tumultuous events left Shaw in a serious state of decline. Several decades later, visionaries started the neighborhood’s rehabilitation, gradually transforming it into the highly sought-after DC community it is today.
The neighborhood today has a population of around 46,700, and is a highly walkable community with upscale residential developments and a slew of urban destinations. Once again, Shaw is making its stamp as a distinctive DC community where African-American history and culture play an important role.
Shaw, Washington, D.C. Real Estate and Homes for Sale
As in many other DC neighborhoods, historic brownstones and row houses make up a large part of the housing market in Shaw. Many of these have been converted into upscale condos and townhomes that preserve the buildings’ original charm while updating them with the latest home features and amenities. You’ll find traditional features like hardwood floors and cabinets mixed in with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and other contemporary elements.
Shaw is also the site of some of the latest residential and mixed use developments in the city. These include luxury mid and high rises with top notch amenities and state-of-the-art features. Many original brownstones have also been infilled to preserve their iconic exteriors while providing a brand new home experience.
Living in Shaw Neighborhood
Who lives here
The neighborhood has a young median age of 31.4. Many residents have stayed here for a long time, but a good number are also migrants or transients from various parts of the country and the world. Nearly half of the workforce work for private offices, while the other half work for the government and nonprofits, or are self-employed. The average household income is around $134,000, about 58% higher than the US average.
Things to do in and around Shaw, Washington, D.C.
Howard Theatre and Lincoln Theatre, Shaw’s iconic live performance venues, are still in business today, hosting musical artists of various genres. Just steps away, the popular 9:30 Club, which opened in the 1980s, continues to draw in the crowds with concerts of some of the top musical acts in the country.
Shaw’s vibrant retail scene is anchored by City Market at O, an upscale mixed use complex housed in a historic Gothic Revival building built in 1881. Along Shaw’s storied streets and alleys are fabulous shops featuring popular and indie brands, as well as a slew of trendy bars and restaurants offering a wide array of dining and nightlife options.
Buy or sell a home at Shaw, Washington, D.C. with Theo & Partners
Theo & Partners are the Shaw, DC real estate agents to call for all your real estate needs in the neighborhood, or any other community in Washington, D.C. With their diverse knowledge in real estate and the creative arts, including architecture, interior design, construction, and others, the team has the experience and expertise to help you achieve the best possible results.
Get in touch with them today at 202.285.1177 or at tadamstein(at)ttrsir(dotted)com.
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