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Friendship Heights Community Guide Real Estate A shopping mecca with tall luxury condos, townhomes and detached houses.

Updated 5/22/2023

History and Flavor

Friendship Heights’ got its name from a 3,000-acre “Friendship” land grant made to colonists in 1713 from the king. During the 1800s, a Quaker family from Philadelphia had a farm along what is now Wisconsin Avenue on both sides of the District line. It was a quiet, rural area, about a mile from Tenleytown– then a working-class community with a blacksmith shop, inn, and other businesses.

By 1900 trolley tracks reached the area prompting local developers to construct homes for commuters. Developers included lawyer and prohibitionist Albert Shoemaker (great-grandson of original settler Samuel Shoemaker) and Georgetown banker Henry Offutt.

The Maryland legislature recognized the 32-acre “Village of Friendship Heights and the Hills” in 1914. Its boundaries have stayed the same–Wisconsin Avenue on the east and The Irene apartments on the west. Areas outside the village line are known as Friendship Heights also. 

Today the area is a mix of school-age kids and older professionals. Residents love their neighborhood and the pride of ownership shows. You will also find swanky shops and discount shopping for the budget-minded. This shopping mecca is easily walkable, which is excellent since traffic can be an issue. 

If you don’t want to shop all the time, no problem! A multiplex cinema, boutiques, and day spas are right around the corner. 

Though known for shopping, Friendship Heights has several tall luxury condominium buildings, townhomes, and some detached single-family homes. Traffic is heavy, but the area is close to public transport. 

Entertainment

Music & Parks

  • Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House– A coffeehouse/music shop with vinyl & java for sale, plus listening booths & a 1947 recording booth.
  • EchostageHailed as DC’s premier hybrid nightclub and concert venue and drawing inspiration from electronic music’s warehouse roots, Echostage is a seminal venue in the dance music scene.
  • Black Cat– Multilevel spot serves as a bar & cafe with vegan options & indie/rock/alternative live-music venue.
  • 9:30 Club– A nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. In 2018 the 9:30 Club was named one of the ten best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone, and in 2019 the club was named “Venue of the Decade” by VenuesNow.
  • Chevy Chase Recreation CenterThis is a smaller site but among many outdoor opportunities. You’ll find a baseball field, a dog park, a splash park, and tennis courts. 
  • Willoughby Park– A multi-tier park with flower beds, benches, lighting, and trees. A sundial sculpture by local artist Steven Weitzman is a prominent feature in the southeast corner.
  • Turtle Park The new recreation center will house a new community room for 125 people, a lobby/gallery to display local art, a dedicated kids/craft room, and additional storage and administrative space. In addition, the exterior improvements include an updated tot lot and upper playground, a new basketball court, a new splash pad, site amenities, and landscaping.
  • Fort Bayard Park– This grassy park was the site of a Civil War fort that protected a significant route into the capital.

Shopping/Restaurants 

Popular Shopping and Eats

  • Friendship Center A shopping mall just a few steps from the Friendship Heights Metro station.
  • Chevy Chase Pavillion– This chic & polished shopping complex with big-name retailers shares space with offices & a hotel.
  • The Shops at Wisconsin Place– Shopping complex with national retailers, local businesses, restaurants & a supermarket.
  • Sheyla Vie Collections– Here you’ll find comfortable seating throughout the store, along with an impressive selection of quality clothing and accessories designs.
  • Whole Foods– An array of natural and organic grocery items, housewares, and other products (most sell wine).
  • Maggiano’s Little Italy– Semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.
  • Yosaku Japanese Restaurant– Long-standing mainstay with traditional & creative sushi & cooked Japanese dishes plus a happy hour.
  • Matisse– Higher-end place crafting contemporary French-Mediterranean fare in an open, airy space.
  • Tartufo Italian Restaurant– Warm, easygoing restaurant offering traditional Italian dishes such as pasta plus wine & beer.

Schools

Best Public High Schools

Best Public Elementary Schools

Public Transportation

Buses/Trains

Western Ave & 45th St – Bus stop

Wisconsin Ave NW & Harrison St NW – Bus stop

McKinley St & Western Ave – Bus stop

Wisconsin Ave NW & Fessenden St NW – Bus stop

Western Ave & River Rd – Bus stop

Wisconsin Ave NW & Chesapeake St NW – Bus stop

Friendship Height Subway Station – Subway stop

Median Home Value

$1,000,000 as of 2023

Renters: 33%

Owners: 67%

Demographics

Population  6,878

Median household income –  $168,269

Median age: 41

Families with children – 31%

High school diploma or equivalent – 4%

College Degree: 95%

78% White

6% African American

6% Hispanic

5% Asian

5% Other

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