Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale, located just east of LeDroit Park, originally was outside the 1872 L’Enfant plan for development. At the time, the land was home to a variety of light industry, orchards, and large country estates. Following development as a train yard and transportation routes, speculative residential planners grew the neighborhood into the residential area it is today.

Most of the homes in Bloomingdale are single family, brick Victorian dwellings built around 1900. Developer Harry Wardman introduced a Victorian style of building known as Richardson Romanesque, featuring floral and vine carvings in the stone surrounding doorways and windows. Many of the Bloomingdale homes retain their original details as well as carriage houses, some of which have been converted into dwellings.

The neighborhood, located at the foot of hills in a low-lying area, is within three miles north of the US Capitol building and just minutes from downtown D.C. Although primarily residential, Bloomingdale harbors a modest commercial center featuring restaurants, bars, and food markets. Known for its sense of community and quiet streets, Bloomingdale also boasts the community managed and owned green space, Crispus Attucks Park.