Hillcrest is a quiet neighborhood of rolling hills and meticulously manicured lawns just east of the Anacostia River in the southeastern quadrant of Washington DC. The neighborhood comprises several smaller subdivisions, including Fairfax Village, Naylor Gardens, and West Over View. Known for its large lawns and flourishing flower gardens, the neighborhood has also been home to many of DC’s high-profile politicians, including at least two ex-mayors and a DC Council chairman. Most of the homes near the intersection of Highview Terrace SE and 34th Street SE were originally constructed as luxury estates in 1937-38 in the Fairfield area. Read more about Hillcrest real estate.
True to its name, Hillcrest is one of the higher elevation points in DC with an average altitude of approximately 300 feet above sea level. In the early 20th century when the neighborhood was evolving from a rural farmland to a suburb, the area’s altitude was a strong selling point with breezes cooling the community to five to ten degrees lower than the rest of the city. The housing stock is diverse ranging from majestic Tudor and Colonial revivals to craftsman bungalows and cozy ramblers. Other stately homes make the most of the elevation to offer views of the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
With little commercial development, Hillcrest is easy to get around by car and commute into Downtown DC and to Capitol Hill. A variety of small strip malls surround the neighborhood while the Skyland Town Center hosts a weekly farmers market and is slated for additional development that will bring more shopping and dining options to the area in the years to come. The closest Metro Station is the Naylor Road Station on the Green Line while several Metrobus routes run along Pennsylvania Avenue SE and Naylor Road SE. The boundaries of the neighborhood include Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Southern Avenue SE, Naylor Road SE and 30th Street SE.
Photo: Brook Ward You may think you know all about DC and its history, but no matter where you look it seems there are plenty of new things to see and discover, including some fun and quirky facts about DC. There’s no “J” ...
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