Berret School Lofts
Located at 1408 Q Street NW, Washington, DC | Logan Circle
As a symbol of how Washington, DC’s past is intrinsically linked to its present, the Berret School Lofts offer modern luxury living in a historic setting. Located at 1408 Q Street between 14th and 15th Street in the heart of Logan Circle, the boutique condominium is the result of transforming a dilapidated Victorian-era schoolhouse into 12 spacious and lovingly renovated residences. Some of the units are lofts, while others simply have a loft-like ambience.
Originally built in 1889 and designed by Albert Harris, the James G. Berret School was named after a Washington, DC mayor. The school was in service for over six decades and thereafter fell into shambles and disuse, with broken windows and deteriorating walls. It was purchased by developers Paul Sliwka and Roger Leventer in 1998, and so began a painstaking, million dollar effort to restore and renovate the property. While converting a former schoolhouse into a luxe condominium may seem novel to some, it is actually not uncommon in the nation’s capital, where an emphasis has been placed on preserving historic structures while also increasing housing availability. Other conversions include the Carberry School, and the Edmonds School (both on Capitol Hill), Pierce School Lofts in the H Street Corridor, and Wormley Row in Georgetown.
More About Berret School Lofts, Washington, DC
The renovation process at the Berret School involved the nine original classrooms, along with basement space. The end result was 12 units across four levels, counting the basement with its three residences. The layouts come in various sizes and configurations, with each being either two bedrooms and two baths, or two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Sizes range from approximately 842 to 1,590 square feet. The largest condos are at the upper levels, with loft-style duplex penthouses featuring soaring 14-foot ceilings. The old heart of pine floors had considerable wear after more than a century of use, including water damage. But the weathered wood was brought back to life, and in many cases, still displaying charming signs of age. Some units have fireplaces, and some have exposed brick accent walls as well. Open gourmet kitchens are also featured, as well as in-unit washers and dryers.
Residents at the pet friendly Berret School Lofts also enjoy bike storage, along with common outdoor spaces where the playground used to be. The old brick schoolhouse is on Q Street, at the corner of 14th Street in the popular Logan Circle neighborhood. You won’t have far to go for shopping and dining, with numerous small storefronts located in historic buildings. There are art galleries, bike shops, and clothing boutiques, as well as restaurants such as Peal Dive Oyster Palace, Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine, Le Diplomate, and Etto. The local Rice Market grocery store is across the street on 14th, and the larger Whole Foods Market is also in the area. It all adds up to a thoroughly pleasant lifestyle experience, in a vibrant neighborhood that manages to thread the needle between urban and residential.
To learn more about condos for sale at the Berret School Lofts, please call Andre Perez at District Partners at Compass, 202-400-3040.
Berret School Lofts, District of Columbia FAQs
Q: When was the old Berret School turned into condos?
A: The work began in 1998 and was completed in 1999.
Q: What other neighborhoods are near Logan Circle?
A: The U Street Corridor is to the north, Shaw is to the east, Downtown DC is to the south, and Dupont Circle is to the west.
Q: Is the Berret School a pet-friendly condominium?
A: Yes, it is, but you should check with management about any size or breed restrictions.
Q: Where is the nearest Metrorail station?
A: The U Street Metro Station (aka U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardoza Station) is about 0.6 miles away, via 14th and U Streets.
