The location and neighborhood…read more..
Convenient, half-way - only an eight-minute walk, either way - between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stops. Before moving to DC, I sold my car. DC's Metro system covers a lot of territory. Besides, most of what I'm drawn to is in the NW Quadrant, including a rich diversity of ethnic restaurants in our neighborhood.
Cathedral Mansions frames a tree-lined, grassy courtyard, is across the street from the Smithsonian Zoo and right around the corner from an entrance to 2,000-acre Rock Creek Park. Looking out on so many trees, I often forget that I'm living in the thick of a major metropolitan city, much less our nation's capital.
As a single, older woman whose teenage daughter visits by herself, this deserves its own paragraph: I have always felt safe walking alone in this neighborhood, any time of the day or night.
The building...
I like buildings with character, steeped in history. Constructed 1922-1925, in the Classical Revival style, Cathedral Mansions is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A few years ago management discovered that beneath the hallway carpets were the original black and white tile floors, now showcased. They're among my favorite details.
My one-bedroom apartment is wall-to-wall wood floors (except the vinyl kitchen and bathroom floors), outlined by the original baseboards. The clincher was the formal entryway and generous walk-in closet (one of two closets). The walls are cinderblock, a challenge when hanging pictures; as they buffer the sounds of my neighbors, worth the trade-off.
Here's the only reason I didn't give Cathedral Mansions five stars (wish I could give a 4.5): the heating/cooling system. Winter: Before I learned that Maintenance could turn off my radiator - well, almost (it can't be turned off completely) - the temperature in my apartment reached 84 degrees! (It's now 72, lower if I open windows.) At the same time, I'm told, tenants on the back side of the building are cool. Summer: the air-conditioner quickly dried out my wood furniture, plants, skin - until I bought a humidifier. While a bit of a hassle to lug home 1-gallon jugs of purified water, it's become my 2-3X/week routine. I use the humidifier in the winter, too.
The people...
Staff: Emily, in the office, is a gem. She was consistently responsive to my queries when I was scouting for an apartment and has been just as dedicated since I moved in. The maintenance crew responds to issues as they arise and keeps the building in tip-top shape. And the ever-smiling housekeeping crew keeps all of the communal areas sparkling clean. The fact that there has been, as far as I can tell, no turnover tells me the staff enjoys their work and a spirit of camaraderie.
Other tenants: At least around my apartment, I can hear only muffled sounds/voices, occasionally. For the most part, folks keep to themselves while smiling and saying hello in passing. A bit of a reclusive, who values peace and quiet, this atmosphere suits me just fine.
Bottom line...
I feel lucky to have found Cathedral Mansions. Wasn't sure how I'd feel, living in an apartment after being a homeowner for four decades. But my cat and I quickly settled in and already feel at home.