THE RISE OF THE HIGH-END HIGH RISE

For the longest time, the options for the high-end buyer in DC were limited to houses and the few undivided residences in Kalorama and surrounding hoods. But more and more builders are focusing on this segment of the market.

This list includes Robertson Development and also the Fred Bahrami Collection. Below is his Q14, which is a 30-unit building at 14th and Q St. NW. More elegant than daring, the building oozes comfort and style. It features ceiling heights that range from 9 feet on the flats and 19 feet for the penthouse units. As usual, stainless steel and granite abound.



At this point there are only three units left. The studio is around $400k. A fifth-floor two-bedroom goes for close to $1 million. The "penthouses" must have sold well into the seven figures. Even a larger three bedroom with an office sold.

Given the prices and the state of the market, the success of Q14 shows how badly underserved the high-end condo buyer in DC was.