The Kennedy-Warren: The "Old Lady" of Washington

• August 19th 2010

by Carisa Chappell

A well-known fixture on Connecticut Avenue at the edge of Rock Creek Park for almost 80 years, the historic Kennedy-Warren apartment building has its fair share of stories. From housing President Lyndon Johnson in the late 1930s to being home to striking tenants refusing to pay a renovation surcharge in 2008, the Kennedy Warren is affectionately (and appropriately) known around town as the “Old Lady.”

The Inside Scoop

Constructed in 1931, the Kennedy-Warren is currently undergoing exterior and interior renovations, and the building has temporarily stopped leasing in its historic wing as a result. The wing is anticipated to open to new tenants by early next year, but it is currently accepting applications for its newer South Wing that opened in 2004.

There are 114 luxury units in the South Wing, including studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. There’s always been more of a demand for larger units in the historic building, so the new wing was built to include more two-bedroom homes.

The 11-story building has a variety of floor plans ranging from a 780 square-foot units to a 1,945 square-foot two-bedroom apartment with a den and private elevator access. Most apartments have nine-foot ceilings, arched door openings, imported Impala black granite countertops, stainless steel Jenn-Air appliances, and full-size washers and dryers.

The amenities at the Kennedy-Warren include a 60-foot indoor lap swimming pool, fitness center, sundeck, conference center, ballroom, and concierge service. Visitors are greeted in the lobby with its 20 foot ceiling and aluminum stair railing.

For an added touch of exclusivity, there is a members-only piano lounge that residents have the option of joining. Located near the main lobby, resident members can gather in the lounge to chat while enjoying evening drinks from the wine bar.

Tigers, and Lions and Pandas… Oh My

With the National Zoo as a neighbor, residents of the Kennedy-Warren don’t have to go far when they want to escape to the great outdoors. Some apartments come with balconies overlooking both the Zoo and Rock Creek Park.

Centered in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, the Kennedy-Warren is also surrounded by boutiques and restaurants and the Cleveland Park Metro on the Red Line.

Financially Speaking

There are no promotions at the Kennedy-Warren and rental rates are among the highest in the city. Despite the high rates, many are willing to pay for the ambiance, historic prominence and convenient location that the building offers. Monthly rental rates are as follows:

• Studios from $3,250
• One bedroom from $2,900
• Two bedrooms from $3,800

(Note: The studios at the Kennedy-Warren are not studios in the traditional sense i.e. they are not one-room apartments. Rather, they are called studios because there is no window in the bedroom. The rental rates are higher than traditional one-bedrooms because they have more square footage.)

There is a 24-hour attended underground parking garage where spaces are $200 a month. The Kennedy-Warren is pet-friendly and accepts up to two cats or dogs per unit as long as they are not over 60 pounds. Residents are required to pay a one-time non-refundable fee for having a pet:

• $300 per cat (maximum two cats allowed)
• $1,000 per dog under 20 lbs (maximum two dogs allowed)
• $1,500 per dog between 21-60 pounds

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the_kennedy-warren_the_old_lady_of_washington/2383.