glamourlife: SE Beverly Hills is a hidden gem in DC

Southeast DC has been misrepresented and characterized for years. While it is true that Wards, 6, 7, and 8 have historically higher crime rates, it is also true that these areas are diamonds in the rough with some of the best housing stock inside the Nation's Capital.

I grew up in Ward 7, in a neighborhood near Ft. Dupont Park. For years I had to endure wrong assumptions, fear, and ignorance from people not familiar with the area. We were so agitated by the gross misrepresentation, that years ago we started to call our enclave East of the Anacostia River in DC, "SE Beverly Hills".

Great article below that discusses emerging trends and hip swagger that are taking the area by storm. Hopefully too many heads don't catch on and start to populate our hidden secret in Southeast DC.

River East: An area on the rise
By: Dean Bartoli Smith
Special to The Examiner
05/20/09 10:05 PM EDT The neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River — Congress Heights, Hillcrest and Anacostia, to name a few — are beginning to provide affordable and accessible housing options only minutes from downtown. Historic row homes, condominiums and town houses set on the rolling hills and bluffs of Southeast feature incredible views of the city, access to Metro and major roadways, and competitive pricing levels.

Homesteaders who have settled into these neighborhoods resent being broadly labeled as in “Anacostia” when things go wrong, and feel slighted by the tag “east of the River,” which sounds to them like “the other side of the tracks.” They refer to the area as “River East,” and the name change has become a rallying cry in their efforts to transform long-held perceptions.

“It’s a secret area,” said Re/Max agent Joel Martin. “There are lovely neighborhoods. Hillcrest looks exactly like Bethesda.” After decades of failed or delayed initiatives, the city’s track record for delivering on its promises has been less than stellar. “It’s been underrated and underserved for years,” said Martin. “After 25 years, where is the development?”

The movement to revitalize River East is being driven by a spirited group of young professionals — many of whom author blogs — who will stop at nothing to get the abandoned buildings torn down, the street corner memorials decorated with liquor bottles removed and more than one decent place to have dinner. “There are only a few places to patronize in the neighborhood,” said LaShaun Smith, of Congress Heights. “THEARC offers various exercise classes — yoga and Pilates; IHOP, which is the only place we can sit down and order a meal; and MLK Delhi, which has very good food.”

There is one Giant grocery store, a Popeye’s and not much else.
“We need a Chipotle, Starbucks, and a few café’s to sit, eat and have a drink,” Smith said. Many of the 19 projects slated for the area at a cost of $400 million are under way. The Department of Homeland Security will relocate in 2010 to St. Elizabeths — the mental hospital that once housed Ezra Pound and on whose premises several hundred Civil War soldiers rest in an integrated graveyard. This relocation will intensify efforts to develop the area.

Formerly off-base housing for the Air Force, the Savoy Court condominium development combines an Art Deco feel with quartz countertops, views of D.C. and stainless steel appliances. “The majority of people in the complex are single professionals with college degrees,” said The Advoc8te, who preferred being identified by her blog handle. “It’s hip. It’s high-end. It’s a great place to live,” she said.
Nonetheless, the area still struggles with an image problem.

“There are challenges,” she said of Congress Heights. “We’re like a diamond in a paper bag — and sometimes all you see is the bag. You wouldn’t know we have deer, foxes and bald eagles.” The historic Anacostia neighborhood features beautiful old town homes in the Wardman and Italianate styles. Its rich history dates back to the Nacotchtank tribe, which had settled along the river in the 16th century, and includes a visit by Captain John Smith in 1608. It was once home to Frederick Douglass and, ironically enough, was D.C.’s first suburb. “Since the ballpark was built, people are looking across the river for what’s next,” said resident David Garber, who writes the “And Now, Anacostia” blog. “There is an exciting charge in the air.” Recently, high-profile arts events have been held in new Anacostia galleries. Construction has begun on the Big Chair — believed to be the first coffee shop across the river.

“The future is bright for River East,” Smith said. “There are young professionals of all backgrounds and ethnicities moving into the neighborhood. With fresh ideas and new leadership, the community will see its full potential.” Progress is finally being made.