The Ontario Cooperative
Located at 2853 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 | Lanier Heights
Named for the street on which it sits, The Ontario is a historic cooperative residential building in Washington, DC’s Lanier Heights neighborhood. The Beaux Arts structure with its long front driveway and a portico entrance with columns, dates back to 1905 when it was built as an apartment community. It was converted to cooperative ownership in the early 1950s and has remained that way ever since. Set back from the tree-lined street and bordered by jagged old stone walls, the building retains its Old World charm, with the addition of modern day renovations.
There are 120 residences at the Ontario, with floor plans ranging from studios to two bedrooms and two baths, and with sizes from around 450 to over 2,400 square feet in size. Almost all units have fireplaces, and the vintage architectural details are quite memorable. Highlights typically include lovely heart of pine hardwood floors, high ceilings, huge windows, millwork, and room shapes that often comport to the buildings’ numerous bays and wings. Many of the old galley kitchens have been updated by opening up walls and installing stone counters and upscale stainless steel appliances. From wooden built-ins to cozy nooks that can double as workspaces, these co-op residences are true gems that sometimes fly under the radar in Washington’s luxury condo marketplace.
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More About the Ontario, Washington, DC
The Ontario is a cooperative building, which differs from condominium ownership in certain ways. While co-op buildings in Washington, DC aren’t nearly as common as in New York City, they have still had a meaningful presence dating back to the late 1800s. The basic principle behind cooperative living is that a group of people band together to acquire a building, and subsequently allow others to buy into the organization. A prospective apartment owner actually purchases a share in the organization and is then allowed (subject to board approval) to live in the residence of choice. Conversely, a condo shopper buys the actual unit, along with a share of the common grounds. Given that the Ontario became a cooperative building in 1953, all the arcane ins and outs of the process have long since been worked out.
The Ontario sits just a couple blocks from Rock Creek Park and Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Many of the units have private balconies, and the leafy views of the surrounding area are quite memorable. Residents enjoy a staffed front desk, porters, a roof deck with panoramic views, an herb garden, nearly three acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, a historic Edwardian summer house, and an outdoor gazebo. There’s also a social room with an antique pool table, extra storage, and options for rental parking. The hilly Lanier Heights neighborhood is one of the District’s oldest planned subdivisions, and is often associated with its next-door neighbor to the south, Adams Morgan. There are a number of restaurants within strolling distance, such as Federalist Pig, and Tail Up Goat. Also nearby is Walter Pierce Park.
To learn more about cooperatives for sale at the Ontario, please call Andre Perez at District Partners at Compass, 202-929-3600.
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The Ontario, District of Columbia FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are co-op fees at the Ontario determined in a similar way as condo fees at other buildings?
A: Co-op fees at the building are determined by the square footage of the chosen residence. Fees at the Ontario are significantly lower that some other amenity-rich coop communities like the Watergate.
Q: Is parking available at the Ontario?
A: Yes, parking is available for a monthly rental fee.
Q: Are there any Metrorail stations in the area?
A: The closest locations are the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station, and the Columbia Heights station.
Q: Is the Ontario a pet-friendly building?
A: Yes, pets are welcome. The building’s lush grounds are perfect for walking your dog, and there are also parks in the area.
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