New condos with traditional look come to Capitol Hill (2024)

One of the condos no longer on the market belongs to Benjamin Holsinger and Craig Brandt, who made a case for Ebenezer Row’s superiority to many of the projects that create condominium units by converting city rowhouses.

“In our search across the city” Holsinger said, “we encountered numerous converted single-family rowhouses split into two, three, or four units, leading to awkward spaces, enclosed rooms, and inefficient designs.”

Brandt said they “appreciate that although the building maintains the appearance of a traditional rowhouse, it was specifically constructed as condominium units.” He also said of their choice that “it felt like the right fit.”

The complex is named after Ebenezer United Methodist Church next door. The church was founded in 1838 by its Black congregation, and it ran what is recognized as the first government-sponsored school for African American children in D.C. The church remains, but the school outgrew the building and moved.

Ebenezer Row is being developed by Urban Evergreen on land that used to be a playground. The condos have two levels, with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a powder room. The four-level townhouse has five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and a powder room.

Sizes range from 1,291 square feet for the smaller condos to 2,487 for the townhouse. Prices start in the high $800,000s for the condos, and the townhouse is priced at $1,750,000.

Each condo building houses two units, one on the lower level and first floor and the other on the second and third floors. All the condos have a similar main level, with a living area, a dining area, a kitchen and a powder room. On the bedroom level, the primary bedroom suite has a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom. The second bedroom has a reach-in closet and en suite bathroom. The laundry room is on the hall. The condos on the upper levels have balconies off the living area.

All units have Jennair kitchen appliances, quartz kitchen backsplash and countertops, wide-plank flooring in living areas, nine-foot ceilings, full- size washer and dryer, and bathroom vanities with quartz countertops.

Condo fees are $337 a month, which includes charges for water, sewer, trash and common-area maintenance. Four parking spaces are available to lease for $275 to $300 a month. Parking comes with the townhouse. Permit parking is available on the street.

Holsinger and Brandt‚ who are moving from D.C.’s busy U Street corridor, consider Ebenezer Row’s location an amenity.

“It possesses many of the qualities we appreciate about the U Street corridor but at a more relaxed pace,” Holsinger said.

“Trader Joe’s is only a few blocks away,” Brandt said, “along with all the community amenities we require — pharmacies, shops, restaurants, parks, and plenty of dogs to pet as well.”

The spacious layout of their 1,350-square-foot Ebenezer Row unit was another advantage.

“Moving in together brought the challenge of limited space into focus, and as time passed, it became clear that the space we have was too small for two people,” Brandt said.

“Additionally,” Holsinger said, “we dream of having a dog someday, but with the space we have now, that’s just not feasible.”

Moving into a new building that fits in with its neighborhood completed the picture. “We appreciate that it’s newly constructed yet the design harmonizes with the surrounding neighborhood,” Brandt said.

Holsinger remarked on the environmental considerations of choosing new construction. “Energy efficiency,” he said, “is of utmost importance to us due to the significant impact building operations have on the environment. Therefore, we anticipate that new construction adhering to modern codes will meet these expectations.”

The couple hasn’t yet scheduled their move, but they are already planning celebrations. “Ben adores cooking and is eager to host dinner parties and gatherings, Brandt said. “We’ve already started planning multiple housewarming parties.”

Schools: Brent Elementary, Jefferson Middle School Academy, Eastern High School

Transit: Easy access to I-695/395, the Eastern Market and Capitol South Metrorail stations (both on Blue, Orange and Silver lines.)

Nearby: Eastern Market, Capitol Hill, Barracks Row, Providence Park, Marion Park, Garfield Park, Nationals Park