Living in Southwest Waterfront
Landmark 1960s modernist co-ops, condominiums, and townhouses along the Washington Channel, next to The Wharf’s restaurants and piers, with Waterfront Metro and Arena Stage at the center of the neighborhood.
Southwest Waterfront Market Snapshot
A high-level look at current pricing, demand, and sales activity in the Southwest Waterfront real estate market.
$363,500
Median Sales Price
$395
Median Price Per Sq Ft
39
Median Days On Market
120
Annual Closed Sales
-8.9%
YoY Median Price Change
Southwest Waterfront is primarily a condominium and co-op market with a townhouse segment. The snapshot covers every closed sale inside the neighborhood boundary over the trailing twelve months through September 2026 — 84 condominium and co-op sales and 36 townhouses. About a third of all sales were cooperatives. Price per square foot uses interior living area.
Across all home types the median sale was $363,500 at about $395 per square foot, with a median of 39 days on market and sales averaging 94% of original list price. The 8.9% dip reflects softer apartment pricing: the condo and co-op median fell to $286,500 and price per square foot eased about 11%. Townhouses held up better, with a median near $718,000, and apartments sold faster than a year ago.
Market data reflects recent 12-month activity. Individual buildings may vary.
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For Sale
Homes for Sale in Southwest Waterfront
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Recently Sold
Recently Sold in Southwest Waterfront
Closed sales from the past 12 months — the comps that set today’s pricing.
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Living in Southwest Waterfront
An overview of daily life in Southwest Waterfront, what draws residents, and what sets it apart.
Southwest Waterfront is the residential heart of Southwest DC: the area south of I-395 between the Washington Channel and South Capitol Street, reaching down to Fort McNair and the Anacostia. It is one of the city’s most distinctive neighborhoods, rebuilt almost entirely during urban renewal in the 1950s and 1960s and then transformed again by The Wharf.
The housing is a textbook of mid-century modernism. River Park (1962), designed by Charles Goodman, Tiber Island (1965), and Harbour Square pair high-rise buildings with low townhouses around landscaped courts, and many of them are cooperatives. Potomac Place Tower (1959) at 800 4th Street SW and Town Square Tower (1967) at 700 7th Street SW are among the larger condominiums, and newer buildings at The Wharf, such as Amaris (2022), add contemporary options on the water. A few 18th-century houses, including Wheat Row (1793), survive among them.
The Wharf, which opened its first phase in 2017, lines the Washington Channel with restaurants, music venues, piers, and a marina, alongside the long-running Maine Avenue Fish Market. Arena Stage anchors the arts scene, a Safeway sits at Waterfront Station, and the rebuilt Southwest Library opened in 2021. Parks and green courtyards run through most of the residential superblocks.
Waterfront station on the Green Line opened in 1991 at 4th and M Streets, and L’Enfant Plaza, with five Metro lines and VRE, is a short walk north. Water taxis from The Wharf connect to Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
I enjoy showing Southwest Waterfront because it offers architect-designed mid-century homes, often at lower prices per square foot than nearby neighborhoods, with the river and The Wharf at the doorstep.
Key Highlights:
- Housing character — 1960s modernist co-ops, condos, and townhouses (River Park, Tiber Island, Harbour Square) plus newer condos at The Wharf
- Green space — Washington Channel waterfront, landscaped superblock courtyards, and parks along the river
- Daily essentials — Safeway at Waterfront Station, The Wharf's restaurants, the Maine Avenue Fish Market, and the Southwest Library
- Transit — Waterfront Metro (Green Line); L'Enfant Plaza (five lines plus VRE) nearby; water taxis from The Wharf
- Schools — DCPS boundaries vary by block; confirm any address with the DCPS school finder
- Market character — about 125 sales a year, mostly condominiums and co-ops
Notable Condo Buildings in Southwest Waterfront
A curated selection of well-known residences shaping Southwest Waterfront living.
Discover 525 Water at 525 Water St SW, a five-story, 107-residence condominium at The Wharf on DC's Southwest Waterfront, with a staffed lobby, landscaped courtyard and garage parking.
Discover Amaris at 601 Wharf Street SW, a 12-story, 96-residence full-service condominium in Southwest Waterfront. Built in 2022, it offers concierge service and more, near the Waterfront Metro (Green Line).
Discover Harbour Square at 520 N St SW, a 1966 cooperative on the Washington Channel designed by Chloethiel Woodard Smith. Its 447 homes surround a one-acre water garden, with a 24-hour gatehouse, indoor pool, and Waterfront Metro two blocks away.
Discover Potomac Place Tower at 800 4th Street SW, a 9-story, 401-residence full-service condominium in Southwest Waterfront. Built in 1959, it offers concierge service and more, near the Waterfront Metro (Green Line).
Discover Town Square Tower at 700 7th Street SW, a 7-story, 285-residence full-service condominium in Southwest Waterfront. Built in 1967, it offers concierge service and more, near the Waterfront Metro (Green Line).
Discover Waterfront Tower at 1101 3rd St SW, a 1960 I.M. Pei-designed condominium in Southwest Waterfront. Its 123 homes share a staffed front desk, a fitness center and a private lawn, a block from the Waterfront Metro.
Southwest Waterfront Real Estate FAQs
Insight into the nuances of buying and selling in one of the country’s most complex urban markets.
Is Southwest Waterfront a good place to live?
It suits buyers who want waterfront access, a Metro station, and The Wharf’s restaurants and venues within walking distance, often at lower prices per square foot than neighboring areas. Co-op rules and building fees vary widely.
Where is Southwest Waterfront in DC?
Southwest Waterfront is in Southwest DC, generally south of I-395, between the Washington Channel and South Capitol Street, down to Fort McNair and the Anacostia River.
Is there a Metro station in Southwest Waterfront?
Yes. Waterfront station on the Green Line is at 4th and M Streets SW, and L’Enfant Plaza, with five Metro lines and VRE, is a short walk north.
What types of homes are in Southwest Waterfront?
Mostly condominiums and cooperatives in 1960s modernist buildings, plus townhouses and newer condos at The Wharf. Of 120 sales in the past year, 84 were condos or co-ops and 36 were townhouses.
How much do homes cost in Southwest Waterfront?
Over the twelve months through September 2026 the median sale was $363,500 at about $395 per square foot. Condos and co-ops had a median of $286,500 and townhouses about $718,000.
Are there co-ops in Southwest Waterfront?
Yes. About a third of recent sales were cooperatives, including units in River Park, Tiber Island, and Harbour Square. Co-ops have board approval processes and financing rules that differ from condos.
What is there to do in Southwest Waterfront?
Spend time at The Wharf’s restaurants, piers, and music venues, shop the Maine Avenue Fish Market, see a show at Arena Stage, and walk or bike along the Washington Channel.
How fast do homes sell in Southwest Waterfront?
The median home sold in 39 days, and townhouses in about 31 days. Sales averaged about 94% of original list price, so buyers often have room to negotiate.
Location & Neighborhood
South of I-395 between the Washington Channel and South Capitol Street, anchored by The Wharf and Waterfront Metro.
Southwest Waterfront is generally bounded by I-395 to the north, South Capitol Street to the east, the Washington Channel and Maine Avenue to the west, and Fort McNair and the Anacostia River to the south. M Street and 4th Street form the central crossroads; the residential superblocks sit between them, with The Wharf along the channel.
On the Water, Near the Mall
Southwest Waterfront sits closer to the National Mall than almost any residential neighborhood. Waterfront Metro is at its center and L’Enfant Plaza is a short walk north, with five Metro lines and VRE commuter rail. Water taxis from The Wharf reach Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
Groceries are at the Safeway at Waterfront Station, and The Wharf adds restaurants, music venues, and marina services. Arena Stage, the Southwest Library, and the Maine Avenue Fish Market are all within walking distance.
Neighboring Area:
- The Wharf — west, along the Washington Channel
- National Mall and L’Enfant Plaza — north, across I-395
- Navy Yard — east, across South Capitol Street
- Buzzard Point — southeast, around Audi Field
- Fort McNair — south
A Day In The Life - Snapshot
The quick details buyers ask about most.
Metro Access
Waterfront (Green Line) at 4th and M Streets is at the center of the neighborhood, and L’Enfant Plaza’s five lines and VRE are a short walk north.
Walkability
Safeway, The Wharf, the fish market, Arena Stage, and the library are all walkable, and the waterfront promenade runs the length of the Washington Channel.
Typical Home Types
1960s modernist co-ops, condos, and townhouses arranged around landscaped courts, a few historic 18th-century houses, and newer condos at The Wharf.
Parking
Many buildings offer surface or garage parking, sometimes deeded and sometimes rented separately. Street parking is limited near The Wharf and on event days.
Vibe
Green, low-key residential superblocks and mid-century architecture, next to the busy restaurants, concerts, and piers of The Wharf.
Best For
Buyers who want architect-designed mid-century homes near the water and the Mall, with a Metro stop close by, and who are comfortable with co-op or condo buildings.
In-Depth Market Analysis
Southwest Waterfront Market Insights
How pricing trends, absorption rates, and inventory levels are shaping buying and selling
Inventory & Absorption
About 120 homes sold here in the past year, down from about 170 the year before, with apartments making up roughly 70% of sales. Days on market improved to a median of 39, and townhouses sold in about 31 days, so the market is stabilizing even as prices have eased.
Pricing Dynamics
Condos and co-ops ranged from well under $100,000 for small co-op units to more than $3 million for waterfront penthouses at The Wharf, with a median of $286,500 and about $395 per square foot. Townhouses ranged from about $330,000 to $1.28 million, with a median near $718,000.
Buyer Profile
Apartment buyers here compare buildings on monthly fees, what the fee covers, co-op versus condo financing, and views. Townhouse buyers look at private outdoor space, parking, and renovation of mid-century interiors, and often compare against Capitol Hill and Navy Yard.
Strategic Outlook
Expect a buyer-friendly apartment market through 2026, with negotiating room on units in older buildings and co-ops. Townhouses should remain steadier. Sellers should price to recent sales in their own building and be upfront about fees and assessments.
Market Position Overview:
Inventory Level: Balanced with selective competition
Negotiation Environment: Moderate flexibility
Typical Days on Market: 25-45 (well-priced units)
Rental Demand: Consistent due to transit proximity
Long- Term Outlook: Stable, walkability-driven value
Southwest Waterfront Housing & Architecture
One of the country’s largest collections of 1960s urban-renewal modernism, now paired with new towers at The Wharf.
River Park
Designed by Charles Goodman and completed in 1962, River Park combines a high-rise with townhouses around landscaped grounds near Delaware Avenue SW, and is organized as a cooperative.
Tiber Island
Completed in 1965 by Keyes, Lethbridge & Condon and honored with a 1966 AIA award, Tiber Island pairs four towers with townhouses around a central plaza near the channel.
Potomac Place Tower
A nine-story, roughly 400-residence condominium completed in 1959 at 800 4th Street SW, one of the earliest buildings of the renewal era, steps from Waterfront Metro.
Town Square Tower
A seven-story condominium of about 285 residences completed in 1967 at 700 7th Street SW, close to Arena Stage and The Wharf.
Amaris at The Wharf
A 12-story condominium completed in 2022 at 601 Wharf Street SW, bringing new-construction layouts and water views to the Washington Channel.
Wheat Row and Early Houses
Wheat Row (1793) and the Thomas Law House (1796) are rare survivors of the neighborhood’s first era, preserved within the modernist redevelopment.
Condo Buildings
Condo Buildings in Southwest Waterfront
Building-by-building guides with amenities, fees, recent sales and what's for sale now.
Southwest Waterfront
525 Water
525 Water Street SW
- Built 2016
- 5 stories
- 107 residences
Southwest Waterfront
Amaris
601 Wharf Street SW
- Built 2022
- 12 stories
- 96 residences
Southwest Waterfront
Harbour Square
520 N St SW
- Built 1966
- 10 stories
- 447 residences
Southwest Waterfront
Potomac Place Tower
800 4th Street SW
- Built 1959
- 9 stories
- 401 residences
Southwest Waterfront
Town Square Tower
700 7th Street SW
- Built 1967
- 7 stories
- 285 residences
Southwest Waterfront
Waterfront Tower
1101 3rd St SW
- Built 1960
- 9 stories
- 123 residences
Nearby neighborhoods
Close to Southwest Waterfront
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