Hillcrest

Like many neighborhoods in Southeast Washington D.C. – an area bounded by the Anacostia River and the DC/Maryland border – Hillcrest is steeped in socially, environmentally and architecturally rich history. A small suburban community that traces its roots to Native American settlements of the 1700s, Hillcrest emerged out of the prominent 1920s Pennsylvania Avenue subdivision of Randle. Nicknamed the “Silver Coast”, the exclusive neighborhood became home to many prominent Black residents. Notable people who have lived in Hillcrest include singer Marvin Gaye, Mayor Marion Barry, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Noted for its rolling hills, abundant mature trees, large lots and historic, homes, Hillside is often called one of the best-kept secrets in Washington. According to Jerry Johnson, Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, “The neighborhood is convenient to so much – the National’s ballpark, the river, the interstate and you’re right on the border of Maryland and Virginia as well. And with the overall quality of homes we have in Hillcrest, homes in good condition sell quickly.”

Many residences are single-family houses with differing architectural styles. The construction and design style of these 20th-century homes are often compared to those in Cleveland Park, in Northwest D.C. You’ll find midcentury ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals, storybook-like stone and brick cottages, and Spanish Revival homes. Homes built in the 21st century include craftsman-style homes and single-story contemporary homes with clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows. As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll find details that are unique to Hillcrest including old stone fences, wide sidewalks, and well-preserved historic homes, such as The Historical Mary B Denman House. Sales materials for new homes in the 1920s boasted that Hillcrest enjoyed “the highest plateau in The District of Columbia”, and residents today still say that you can feel breezes in the summer months that are the envy of other neighborhoods. Buyers should expect to pay between $500,000 and $750,000 for mid-century homes that need some renovating. Refurbished four-bedroom Colonial Revivals with about 2,500 square feet can be found for around $850,000.

Neighborhood kids can attend Anne Beers Elementary, Sousa Middle, and Anacostia High School. Beers Elementary offers pre-K through fifth grade and has a C-plus rating from Niche. Sousa Middle offers sixth through eighth grades and has a notable student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. Niche gives Sousa a C-minus grade. Historic Anacostia High School was founded in 1937 and is notable for its strong athletic programs. It offers AP courses and has a graduation rate of 62%. Niche gives Anacostia a C-minus grade.

Nearby Alger Park offers seven acres of wooded green space as well as a notable creek that is a tributary of the Anacostia River. Hillcrest Recreation Center is a popular neighborhood destination that offers an arts & crafts room, a computer lab, basketball courts, a community garden, a spray park, and outdoor fitness equipment. According to DC.gov, Hillcrest Recreation Center will be adding a $15,000,000 indoor aquatic center to its location within the next few years, which will be a huge asset to the area. Washington Nationals fans do not hesitate to cross the Anacostia and take in a ballgame as Nationals Park is just two miles away. For those who enjoy fishing, boating and watersports of all kinds, they'll appreciate that homes in Hillcrest are less than a five-minute drive to points all along the river. On fair weather days, you’ll often see children riding bikes through the neighborhood or heading to the Francis A. Gregory Library.

Hillcrest offers a mix of new and well-established shopping and dining options. Like That Barbershop opened in 1992 and has been so successful that they now own two additional shops in nearby Maryland. It's easy to pick up groceries when Skyland Town Center is in your neighborhood. Safeway and Lidl are there, as is Starbucks, and one of the fastest-growing pizza joints in the region, & Pizza. Mezeh Mediterranean Grill offers made-from-scratch personalized bowls, as well as salads and pita sandwiches. When you’re feeding a group, it’s easy to call ahead to Roaming Rooster and pick up an assortment of wings and fried chicken. When you need to get to work, Anacostia Metro Station on the Green Line is located nearby in the Buena Vista neighborhood. MetroBus stops are nearby as well. Residents also enjoy using the popular Capital Bike share bikes to get to the Metro Station, or to visit nearby parks.

Powerful words are used to describe Hillcrest from “historic” and “prominent”, to “beautiful” and “peaceful”, but the most important word you might use when you move here is “home.”

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Naleli Murry

Video By

Curtis Newkirk