About the DC Southwest Community

The DC Southwest neighborhood is a living community that reflects the complex forces and cross-currents of 21st century urban American life. A recreational waterfront that includes a fish market dating back to the 19th century has been developed into a national attraction of piers, shops, and mixed use high rises called The Wharf.

New development of high rise, mixed use buildings, especially along the quadrant’s major avenues have doubled the population. However, the live aboard community of harbor boats, which have been a part of the community since the 1930s, along with the 1960s modernist mid-rises and townhouses, continue to dominate the character of the quadrant.

Religious institutions, schools, parks, playing fields and playgrounds flourish side-by-side with the largest concentration of public housing in the District. Southwest DC abounds in contradictions and succeeds in its inclusiveness. It is a model for the District of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-economic urban core.