If you’ve spent any time scouring Zillow or Redfin for a place in Woodley Park, you’ve seen it. 2500 Calvert St NW Washington DC 20008 is basically the architectural anchor of that specific corner where the city suddenly feels like a forest. It’s the Woodley Wardman. Most people just walk past it on their way to the National Zoo or the Metro station without realizing that this building is a weird, beautiful hybrid of a 1920s hotel and a modern luxury condo. It’s not just an address. It's a vibe.
Honestly, DC real estate is usually pretty boring—lots of glass boxes or crumbling rowhouses. But 2500 Calvert St NW is different. You’ve got this massive, historic structure that was meticulously restored and converted into 122 units around 2011. It sits right at the edge of Rock Creek Park. You can literally hear the lions at the zoo roar if the wind hits just right. Seriously.
Why 2500 Calvert St NW Washington DC 20008 actually stays popular
Woodley Park is kind of a transition zone. It’s where the high-energy noise of Adams Morgan starts to bleed into the quiet, "old money" feel of Cleveland Park. Residents here get the best of both. You’re steps from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro (Red Line), but your backyard is thousands of acres of hiking trails.
The building itself—The Woodley Wardman—is a mix. It combines the original 1920s Wardman-style architecture with a sleek, newer addition. This creates some interesting floor plans. You might find a unit with exposed brick and restored historic windows, or you might end up in a contemporary space with floor-to-ceiling glass. It’s not a cookie-cutter experience. Most condos in this zip code feel like you’re living in your grandma’s parlor, but 2500 Calvert St NW manages to feel relevant.
People choose this spot for the commute, mostly. You can be at the White House or the World Bank in fifteen minutes via the Red Line. Yet, when you get home, you're looking at a canopy of trees. It’s a bit of a psychological trick. You're in the capital of the free world, but it feels like a treehouse.
The real talk on the neighborhood
Living at 2500 Calvert St NW Washington DC 20008 means you’re essentially neighbors with the Omni Shoreham and the Marriott Wardman Park. That sounds fancy, and it is, but it also means traffic. When there’s a massive gala or a political summit, Calvert Street turns into a parking lot. You learn to navigate the back alleys of Woodley Park pretty quickly.
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Food-wise? You’re spoiled. Open City is right there for brunch—though the line is always insane. Lebanese Taverna is a staple. If you walk across the Duke Ellington Bridge, you’re in the heart of Adams Morgan in five minutes. That’s the real selling point. You get the peace of Woodley Park but the nightlife of 18th Street is close enough that an Uber costs like six dollars.
The interior specifics
Let’s talk about the actual guts of the building. We’re talking high-end finishes. Most units feature:
- Solid oak hardwood floors (the dark stain is common here).
- Kitchens with Bosch and Thermador appliances.
- Carrara marble in the bathrooms.
- Gas cooking—which is a big deal because a lot of DC condos are strictly electric.
The developer, CAS Riegler, didn’t cheap out on the conversion. They kept the soul of the building. You’ll see original masonry paired with modern steel accents. It’s a look that holds up. Even though the conversion happened over a decade ago, these units still sell at a premium because they don't feel dated.
What most people get wrong about the 20008 zip code
People think 20008 is just for retirees or families with strollers. Not true. 2500 Calvert St NW has a lot of young professionals and "lock-and-leave" types who travel for work. It’s a secure building with a concierge, which appeals to the diplomatic crowd and people who spend half the year in New York or London.
The HOA fees can be a bit of a shock if you aren't used to DC prices. But they cover a lot—concierge, common area maintenance, and that pristine rooftop deck. The roof is probably the building's best kept secret. The views of the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral are unobstructed. It’s where everyone goes for the Fourth of July because you can see the fireworks without the crowds on the Mall.
Let's talk about the park access
Rock Creek Park is literally your neighbor. You have the Western Ridge Trail and the Valley Trail right there. If you’re a runner or a cyclist, this is the holy grail of DC living. You can hop on the trail at Calvert Street and ride all the way to Maryland or down to the Georgetown Waterfront without ever dealing with a stoplight. It changes your quality of life. You stop being a "city person" and start being a "park person" by accident.
Navigating the market at 2500 Calvert St NW
Inventory is usually tight. In a building with only 122 units, you might only see three or four come on the market in a given year. When they do hit, they go fast.
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One-bedroom units here typically start in the mid-$400ks, while the larger two-bedroom or penthouse units can easily clear $1.2 million. It’s an investment. This part of DC doesn't really lose value. Even when the economy gets weird, 20008 stays stable because the demand for proximity to the Metro and the park never goes away.
If you’re looking at a unit in the "historic" wing versus the "new" wing, pay attention to the light. The historic units have smaller windows but thicker walls—great for quiet. The new wing has those massive windows but can feel a bit more "exposed" to the street noise. It’s a trade-off.
Actionable steps for potential residents
- Check the HPR (Horizontal Property Regime): DC condo docs are thick. Have a lawyer look at the reserve study for 2500 Calvert St NW to ensure the building is financially healthy.
- Visit at 5:00 PM: See what the traffic is like on Calvert Street during rush hour. It’s the only way to know if you can handle the bus and commuter noise.
- Test the commute: Walk from the front door to the Woodley Park Metro. Time it. It should take you about three minutes, but it's good to feel the incline.
- Scope the parking: If the unit doesn't come with a deeded spot, check the street parking situation. Spoiler: It's tough. You'll likely want to rent a spot in a nearby garage if the building's lot is full.
- Look for "unlisted" rentals: Sometimes owners at the Woodley Wardman rent their units privately through local networks or internal building boards before they hit Zillow.
Living at 2500 Calvert St NW Washington DC 20008 isn't just about the four walls. It's about being in the middle of everything while feeling like you're miles away from the noise. It’s a specific, high-end slice of District life that hasn't lost its charm despite all the new development popping up elsewhere.