Originally founded by German surveyor Joseph Funk in the mid-1700s, the heavily German-speaking area was known as Hamburg. In the 1800s, the neighborhood became an industrial center and home to breweries, glass plants, and city gas works. Though it is unclear when the name Foggy Bottom was first used, it is thought to come from the fog from the Potomac riverbank combined with the smog from the gas works.
The neighborhood traditionally attracts a blend of college students, singles, and older residents. Home buyers will find luxury condominiums at locations such as the Watergate as well as historic single-family homes and rowhomes—many of which are on the National Historic Registry.
Foggy Bottom is home to many federal offices, including the State Department, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Reserve Board. It is also home to the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the International Monetary Fund.
The District’s largest university, George Washington University, is located in the neighborhood. The university’s acclaimed hospital is also nearby.
Culture and history are on the neighborhood’s doorstep; the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts and the neighboring Watergate complex are only steps away. The Kennedy Center hosts many different genres of performance art, including theater, dance, and music. The storied Watergate has been home to actors, models, congressmen, and Supreme Court justices. It is also the place that five intruders were caught in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, leading to Richard Nixon’s resignation from the presidency.
Foggy Bottom–GWU Metro station provides service for the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines. It serves the neighborhood of Foggy Bottom and the campus of the George Washington University. It is also the nearest station to the Georgetown and all that neighborhood has to offer, including Georgetown University.
The Foggy Bottom neighborhood has a Walk Score of 95. The walking and biking trails of Rock Creek Park are easily accessible as is Theodore Roosevelt Island, an 88.5-acre island and national memorial to the late president, is located in the Potomac River
Whether you’re looking for new construction expertise, first-time buyer guidance, or someone to help you find your next home, Doug & Mona Group has the drive, skills, and experience to match you with your dream home.
