Neighborhood guide · Washington, DC
The Wharf
A $3.6 billion waterfront, built new — luxury condos, The Anthem, and a mile of Potomac promenade.
The vibe
The Wharf is the $3.6 billion redevelopment of DC’s Southwest Waterfront — a mile of Potomac shoreline rebuilt from the piers up, with new luxury condos, concert venues, restaurants, parks, and a working marina. Phase 1 opened in 2017; Phase 2 (2022) added 350 residences, 223 boat slips, and new parkland. It’s the city’s newest neighborhood, and it feels like it: everything gleams.
Homes & prices
An important distinction: The Wharf’s new luxury condos are a different market from the broader Southwest Waterfront’s 1960s co-ops. Wharf condos (2017–2022 construction) list around $550K median — one-bedrooms from roughly $500K, two-bedrooms near $677K+, penthouses into the multi-millions (one listed at $6.675M). The older co-ops nearby trade far lower but carry steep monthly maintenance fees. Know which market a listing belongs to before comparing prices.
Who it’s for
The Wharf is for buyers who want new construction and waterfront living in the city — downsizers trading a rowhouse for a view, professionals who want the concert calendar at their door, and pied-à-terre buyers. It’s not for school-driven families (see below) and not for anyone hunting vintage character.
Getting around
The Waterfront Metro station (Green Line) sits on the development’s edge, with a direct ride downtown and to Navy Yard. The water taxi network connects The Wharf to Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor. The mile-long promenade makes the whole district walkable; the rest of the city is a short ride away.
Schools
Let’s be direct: schools are not the draw here. The area feeds into DCPS schools with modest ratings — Amidon-Bowen Elementary at 4/10, Jefferson Middle at 5/10, Eastern High at 3/10 (GreatSchools). Families prioritizing schools should look at the other DC guides on this site.
Life here
The Anthem — the 6,000-capacity concert hall opened by the Foo Fighters — anchors the music scene, joined by Union Stage and Pearl Street Warehouse. Dozens of waterfront restaurants line the piers, alongside DC’s first Blue Bottle Coffee, District Doughnut, and Momofuku’s Milk Bar. The marina, parks, and piers keep the water in view everywhere.
Where it is
Solomia’s take
The Wharf is the rare DC neighborhood where “new” is the whole point — and that cuts both ways. You get modern construction, amenities, and water views, but you’re buying into a still-maturing district, and the HOA math on the luxury buildings deserves a hard look. I run the full monthly picture on every unit so there are no surprises after closing.
Thinking about The Wharf?
Tell me your timeline and budget — I’ll send waterfront matches, new and resale, before they hit the portals.
Market figures reflect data available October 2026 (Highrises.com; Redfin; AgentPronto) and move with the market. “The Wharf” figures cover the new luxury redevelopment; broader Southwest Waterfront medians (which include older co-ops) run lower. School ratings are point-in-time (GreatSchools) and change year to year — always verify assigned schools for a specific address with DC Public Schools. Photo: The Anthem at The Wharf — APK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.