(Video) Just Listed in Bloomingdale, DC: A Victorian Rowhouse Renovation Unlike Anything Else on the Market
2310 First St NW, Washington DC
If you've been watching the Washington DC rowhouse market and waiting for something that actually stops you in your tracks — 2310 1st St NW in Bloomingdale is it. This is a fully renovated Victorian-era brick rowhouse that does something almost impossible: it preserved every bit of the historic character that makes DC homes special, then rebuilt the interior as a legitimate luxury residence. The result is a home that feels like it belongs in an architectural magazine. As a DC real estate agent who has sold homes in this market for over 15 years, I can tell you: I don't say that about most listings.
This post is for buyers actively searching in Northwest DC, and for sellers in Bloomingdale and the surrounding neighborhoods who are curious what a fully executed renovation does to your home's value. Both conversations matter here — because a listing like this one sets a new benchmark.
What Makes 2310 1st St NW Different
Most DC rowhouse renovations go one of two directions: gut the historic details to create an open-concept white box, or leave the bones alone and do light cosmetic updates. This home did neither. The owners took a third path — one that's far more ambitious and far rarer to find on the MLS.
The Exterior: Intact Victorian Architecture
From the street, 2310 1st St NW looks like exactly what it is: a beautifully preserved late-19th-century DC rowhouse. Red brick, ornate terra cotta detailing, bay windows with original proportions, a charming front porch with iron railings and planters. The tree-lined block adds to the appeal. This is the version of Washington DC that buyers relocating from New York, Chicago, and Boston are picturing when they imagine themselves living here — and it's increasingly hard to find in this condition.
The Living Room: Original Millwork Meets Curated Design
Step inside and the historic details are still there — and that's intentional. The living room features original wood shutters, deep window casings, and period-correct millwork that most renovators would have ripped out. A crystal chandelier anchors the ceiling. The owners layered in a mix of antique and modern furnishings — including an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair — that makes the history feel current, not stuffy. This is the kind of room you can't recreate. You either buy a house that has it, or you don't.
The Dining Room: Hand-Painted Murals and One-of-a-Kind Detail
The dining room is where this home starts to feel genuinely singular. A floor-to-ceiling hand-painted mural covers the main wall — a lush, detailed landscape scene that would be at home in a boutique hotel. The pendant light above the dining table is an antique fixture with real character. These are not renovation finishes you find at a kitchen showroom. They are choices made by an owner who treated this home as a personal art project.
The Kitchen: A Complete Luxury Rebuild
If the front of the home honors history, the kitchen is a statement about what's possible in a DC rowhouse today. This is a full gut renovation — all-white high-gloss European cabinetry, a marble waterfall island, a professional-grade undermount sink with a high-arc fixture, and built-in wall ovens. But the real showstopper is above you: double skylights that flood the space with natural light, with a glass-railed loft visible overhead. The painted ceiling mural beneath the skylights — rendered to look like a cloudy sky — turns an architectural feature into something playful and unexpected. This kitchen is genuinely extraordinary.
The Primary Bath: Spa-Level Luxury
The primary bathroom was rebuilt to a spec you'd expect in a high-end hotel renovation. Full Calacatta marble wall tile, a clawfoot soaking tub, a rain shower, and mosaic penny tile flooring. The wall above the tub features a custom hand-painted peacock mural — an Italian countryside scene with a fountain and formal gardens. It is, without question, one of the most remarkable bathrooms I've personally seen in a DC residential listing.
Why Bloomingdale Buyers Are Paying Attention Right Now
Bloomingdale sits at one of the most compelling intersections in the DC market: close enough to Capitol Hill, Shaw, and Columbia Heights to benefit from those neighborhoods' appreciation, but still offering more space per dollar than many of its neighbors to the south and east. First Street NW specifically is a block that photos well and lives even better — walkable to restaurants on Rhode Island Ave and Big Bear Cafe, easy access to the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and convenient to multiple Metro lines.
For buyers who've been priced out of Capitol Hill or Brookland but want that same DC rowhouse experience, Bloomingdale keeps delivering. And for buyers relocating to DC for government, contractor, or nonprofit work, this neighborhood checks every box.
What This Listing Means for Sellers in the Area
If you own a rowhouse in Bloomingdale, Eckington, LeDroit Park, or the streets immediately north of the McMillan Reservoir, pay attention to what a renovation like this one does to neighborhood comps.
A fully renovated home with high-end custom finishes — particularly one with the kind of architectural preservation and artistic detail this property has — establishes a ceiling for your block. It tells the market what serious buyers are willing to pay for the best product in the neighborhood. If your home has similar bones but hasn't been updated, knowing what the top of the market looks like helps you understand where you sit and what improvements move the needle.
I've been selling in this part of DC for over 15 years, including during periods when these blocks were significantly undervalued. The trajectory has been clear for a long time. If you're considering selling in the next 12–24 months, now is the right time to have a conversation about what your home is actually worth — not what Zillow's estimate says.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Rowhouse in Northwest DC
What does a fully renovated rowhouse in Bloomingdale typically sell for? Price varies significantly based on the depth of renovation, lot size, bedroom count, and finishes. A home at the level of 2310 1st St NW — with full luxury rebuilds of the kitchen and bathrooms, plus significant architectural preservation — commands a premium over partial updates. Contact me directly for current comp data specific to your search parameters.
Is Bloomingdale a good neighborhood to buy in DC right now? In my view, yes — particularly for buyers who want the DC rowhouse experience without paying Capitol Hill prices. Bloomingdale has strong fundamentals: walkability, a tight-knit community, proximity to multiple employment corridors, and a track record of appreciation. It's one of the neighborhoods I point buyers toward when they tell me they've been priced out of their first-choice area.
How long are homes sitting on the market in NW DC right now? In competitive condition and priced correctly, distinctive homes in neighborhoods like Bloomingdale and Eckington are still moving quickly. Overpriced or under-renovated homes sit longer. The market rewards quality and accuracy — which is exactly why a listing like this one matters as a comp.
I've been watching DC for a while but haven't found the right home. What should I do? Call me. Seriously. The homes that check every box rarely come up, and when they do, the buyers who are already in conversation with a local agent — with pre-approval in hand and a clear sense of their criteria — are the ones who move fast enough to get them. I work with buyers across the DC/Maryland market and I know the neighborhoods well.
What should sellers in Bloomingdale be doing right now to prepare for a sale? The first step is a real conversation about your home's condition and your timeline. A lot of sellers wait longer than they need to because they assume they need to renovate before listing. That's not always true — and sometimes the math doesn't support it. I can help you figure out what's worth doing and what you should skip. The consultation is free.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Washington DC?
I'm Ryan Hehman, a DC and Maryland real estate agent with Compass. I've been selling homes in this market for over 15 years, with deep roots in Southeast DC and a focus on the neighborhoods where buyers are finding real value right now: Bloomingdale, Eckington, Brookland, Hyattsville, Takoma Park, Capitol Hill, and Prince George's County.
If 2310 1st St NW caught your attention — or if you're a seller in the area wondering what your home is worth — let's talk.
📞 Call or text: 443-990-1230 🔗 ryanhehmanrealestate.com ✉️ Ryan.Hehman@Compass.com
Free consultations for buyers and sellers. No pressure, no obligation — just honest advice from someone who knows this market.