Life on U Street in Washington, DC
Few addresses in Washington carry as much cultural weight as U Street NW. Known historically as "Black Broadway," this nine-block corridor was the creative heartbeat of African American arts, jazz, and civil rights long before it became one of DC's most sought-after neighborhoods. Duke Ellington grew up on 13th Street, just steps from where 13|U now stands. Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday played the Lincoln Theatre. That legacy is still alive in every storefront mural, every independent venue, and every evening the neighborhood hums with energy.
Today, 13|U's U Street Washington DC apartments place you at the intersection of that history and DC's most dynamic contemporary scene. Whole Foods is steps away. The U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial Metro station is within easy walking distance. And two sprawling rooftop terraces offer panoramic views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol, reminders that you're not just renting an apartment; you're living at the center of something.
Jump to: About the Neighborhood · Getting Around · Dining & Shopping · Parks & Culture · Howard University · Healthcare & Employment · Transportation · Address & Contact
Getting Around U Street
The U Street corridor sits at the crossroads of northwest DC's transit network. The U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station on the Green and Yellow Lines is a short walk from 13|U's front door, connecting residents directly to downtown offices, Gallery Place, Columbia Heights, and beyond. The Shaw-Howard University station provides an additional Green and Yellow Line access point nearby.
Metrobus routes traverse U Street and 14th Street NW continuously, while the DC Circulator connects the corridor to Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, and downtown in minutes. Capital Bikeshare stations are scattered throughout the neighborhood, with protected bike lanes leading south to the National Mall and east to Capitol Hill.
Get Directions: 1310 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
About the U Street Neighborhood
U Street earned its place in American cultural history well before the Harlem Renaissance. From roughly 1900 through the early 1960s, this corridor was the nation's preeminent center of African American culture, a neighborhood of Black-owned banks, hotels, jazz clubs, and restaurants that drew luminaries from across the country. The nickname "Black Broadway," coined by singer Pearl Bailey, was earned. Duke Ellington's childhood home sat on 13th Street. The Lincoln Theatre opened in 1922; the Howard Theatre followed in 1926. Both still stand today, still programming world-class performances.
The corridor declined following the 1968 riots but was reborn after the 1991 Metro opening. Today, U Street balances its Victorian-era rowhouse architecture and rich heritage with one of DC's most vibrant, contemporary scenes. Street murals cascade across commercial facades. The annual Funk Parade celebrates the neighborhood's musical DNA every spring. In 2011, the American Planning Association designated U Street NW a Great Street among Great Places in America. Living here means becoming part of that story.
Dining, Shopping & Daily Conveniences
13|U residents enjoy an exceptional concentration of dining, retail, and daily essentials within walking distance. The 14th Street and U Street corridors put an extraordinary range of dining, nightlife, and retail within a short stroll:
- Ben's Chili Bowl A DC institution since 1958, serving its legendary half-smokes on U Street.
- Adams Morgan Dining and nightlife, walkable via 18th Street, and Dupont Circle retail, minutes away by Metro or bike.
- Whole Foods Market P Street The neighborhood's primary full-service grocery anchor at 1440 P Street NW.
Parks & Cultural Landmarks
The U Street corridor is defined as much by its cultural institutions as its green spaces, and both are steps from 13|U. From historic performance venues to beloved outdoor gathering spots, the neighborhood offers a daily backdrop unlike anywhere else in DC:
- Meridian Hill Park (Malcolm X Park) A short walk north, featuring terraced gardens, cascading fountains, and the neighborhood's beloved Sunday drum circle tradition.
- Logan Circle Victorian-era traffic circle to the south, surrounded by restored townhomes and a central park that anchors the 14th Street social scene.
- Lincoln Theatre A beautifully restored 1922 venue programming national touring acts and local performers in one of DC's most historic rooms.
- African American Civil War Memorial & Museum Steps from the Metro station, adding another layer of historical significance to everyday life in the corridor.
Howard University & the Academic Community
Howard University's campus is approximately a five-minute walk from 13|U, making the building a natural choice for graduate students, doctoral candidates, faculty, and university staff seeking refined off-campus living. The Shaw-Howard University Metro station provides a direct transit connection to campus, though many residents find the distance easily walkable year-round.
For those studying at Georgetown Law's Capitol Hill campus, the Metro's Green Line puts the law school within easy reach. 13|U offers something different for graduate and professional students. Our student housing near Howard University means luxury finishes, a 24/7 lifestyle coordinator, two rooftop terraces, and a fitness center with dedicated yoga space, offering a fundamentally different residential experience from traditional campus housing.
The neighborhood's cultural density, from independent bookshops and coffee houses, music venues, and global dining, creates an intellectual and creative ecosystem that enriches academic life far beyond campus boundaries.
Healthcare, Employment & Commuter Access
For healthcare professionals, our apartments near MedStar Washington Hospital Center put one of DC's largest medical campuses a short commute away. Children's National Hospital sits in the same medical corridor, making 13|U a natural fit for nurses, physicians, and administrative staff across both campuses.
The U Street corridor's position within northwest DC puts residents within easy commuting distance of the city's largest employment centers, including K Street law firms, federal agencies, consulting offices, nonprofit headquarters, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, all accessible via the Metro's Green and Yellow Lines. Georgetown University and the Foggy Bottom corridor are reachable by Metro or bike. For residents working in Arlington and Northern Virginia, the Green Line's connection south toward Amazon HQ2 and the Pentagon offers direct routing without a car.
Transportation & Regional Connectivity
U Street's transit infrastructure is one of its defining advantages, giving residents car-optional access to virtually every corner of the DC region:
- U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro (Green & Yellow Lines) The primary connection, with direct service downtown, south to National Landing and Reagan National Airport, and north to Columbia Heights.
- Shaw-Howard University Metro (Green & Yellow Lines) An additional nearby entry point for routing flexibility.
- Dupont Circle Metro (Red Line) Within walkable distance, opening connections across the region's most central line.
- Metrobus Continuous surface transit along U Street and 14th Street NW.
- Capital Bikeshare Stations throughout the neighborhood, with protected bike lanes connecting south to the National Mall and Penn Quarter.
Address & Contact
Get in Touch
Call or text the leasing team for current availability and specials. Our team is ready to walk you through availability, pricing, and tour options.
Find Your Floor Plan
Experience northwest DC living at its most refined at 13|U, positioned at the legendary intersection of 13th and U Streets NW. Thoughtfully designed studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom-with-den residences feature walnut floors, nine-foot ceilings, Thermador appliances, GROHE bathroom finishes, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the city's monuments. Condo-level finishes, a 24/7 lifestyle coordinator, and two rooftop terraces set a new standard for luxury apartments in Shaw DC. Explore available floor plans and discover the most sophisticated address on U Street.