Benning Heights

Benning Heights is a tiny tree-filled residential community tucked away in Washington’s Ward 7. With streets laid out on neat grids, plentiful sidewalks and homes built on the sloping hills that make up the local topography, it’s easy to forget you’re in a major urban center. But don’t be fooled. Small and unassuming though it may be, Benning Heights is packed with potential for anyone looking to get some bang for their buck in the hotter-than-hot Washington real estate market.

“The biggest draw to this area is price-to-value,” says Juan Granados, a Realtor with Compass North Capitol Group. “Here, you can get a fully renovated home with three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,000 square feet—with two off-street parking spaces and only steps from a Metro line—for $500,000. That’s almost unheard of in DC.”

And that fact is, Benning Heights has a home for almost any budget. You won’t have to look far to find tastefully updated semi-attached homes with three bedrooms, two baths, a finished basement and around 1,500 square feet in the mid to high $300,000s. You can also find single-family homes with modern upgrades and comparable square footage for under $500,000 and apartments with one or two bedrooms, one bath and less than 1,000 square feet for $200,000 or less. If you do find something over $500,000, you can expect complete renovations with high-end finishes, up to four bedrooms, two or three baths and square footage from 2,000 to 2,5000.

Benning Heights has something for everyone when it comes to housing styles, too. Strolling the sidewalks is like taking a tour through an architectural museum. You’ll see entire blocks of semi-detached town houses in the classic brick DC row house style, with others that hint at a Gothic Revival motif. On the next block, you might see a Tudor Revival home next to a cozy bungalow. Walk on, and you’re just as likely to find modern apartments across from vintage split levels and 1960s brick ramblers side-by-side with austere colonial-inspired homes. Even if it’s a white picket fence you want, it’s there, wrapped around new construction that combines traditional with contemporary.

The trade-off to Benning Heights’ residential abundance is that there’s not much in the way of commerce. For quick stops, the Capitol View Market provides local convenience. However, for more substantial shopping and dining, the bustling urban streets surrounding the neighborhood provide all the amenities you need. Head five minutes west to the Minnesota Avenue corridor to stock up on groceries at Safeway and enjoy the many shops, eateries and services. A few minutes southeast, you’ll find the iconic Shrimp Boat Plaza, a neighborhood landmark and seafood hotspot since the 1950s. Here is where you can also catch the Blue and Silver lines at the Benning Road Metro station. Two blocks south of that, stop by the Benco Shopping Center. Yum’s Carryout is a local favorite with traditional Chinese dishes, specialty items like the Steak and Cheese Egg Rolls and burgers and subs, most for under $10.

If you have school-aged children, they can attend District of Columbia Public Schools like Smothers Elementary, which offers an updated building with a cube-shaped wing and rooftop play space. They can then go on to Kelly Miller Middle School—home of Washington’s only middle school competition step team. Finally, students in Benning Heights finish their secondary school career at Woodson High School

For activities, fun is easy to find. There are plenty of nearby parks and playgrounds, and residents take advantage of the basketball courts and outdoor pool at the Kelly Miller Recreation Center. They also love the Farm and Food Hub at Kelly Miller, a production farm and youth garden featuring community raised-beds and event space.

In addition to everything already available near Benning Heights, Granados predicts that things will only get better. “One of the things I love about this area is that officials just approved legislation that will allow redevelopment of RFK Stadium with shops and retail and maybe even a new stadium—and that’s all a straight shot across the river. An uptick in this market is coming,” he says.

One thing is clear. While Benning Heights may be small, the potential here is enormous.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Jack Adams

Video By

Zoe Sarris