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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

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Artechouse opens out-of-this-world immersive exhibit in D.C.

The exhibit uses galactic visuals from The Hubble and James Webb telescopes.

Things to Do

The Inn at Little Washington goes all out for 45

A black-tie affair featuring a 10-course, all-caviar dinner. What else did you expect?

Food and Drink

Montgomery County to join tipped minimum wage fight

Servers and bartenders have long battled on both sides of the movement, with many arguing that they make more with tips.

Business

COVID is clawing its way back around D.C.

We're trending above the nationwide average rate of hospitalizations.

News

D.C. apartment construction hits a slump

Lack of financing and rising construction costs are to blame, experts say.

Real Estate

Roughly 13,200 new apartment units are expected to be built across the D.C. metro this year, a slight slump compared to 2021 and 2022, according to a new report.

A chart showing new apartment units constructed in the D.C. metro area. In 2020, the bar is at 12,793. In 2021, the bar is 14,881. In 2022, the bar is 15,049. In 2023, the bar is 13,189

D.C. buyers don't want your fixer-upper

Homebuyers already burdened by gravity-defying prices and mortgage rates don't want to move into an HGTV "before" photo.

D.C. sellers need to price their homes appropriately if they want buyers to bite — especially if the house needs work, DMV-based broker Lindsay Dreyer says.Why it matters: Homebuyers already burdened by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gravity-defying prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="81be3cfc-bb98-42fc-9f74-c79a7fcbf265" data-vars-headline="D.C. buyers don&#x27;t want your fixer-upper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">gravity-defying prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" data-vars-content-id="81be3cfc-bb98-42fc-9f74-c79a7fcbf265" data-vars-headline="D.C. buyers don&#x27;t want your fixer-upper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" target="_self">mortgage rates</a> don&#x27;t want to move into an HGTV &quot;before&quot; photo.

Illustration of two hammers forming an "X" shape. 

Condos drive up home prices in D.C.

The jump in values in Cathedral Heights, West End and Foggy Bottom were completely tied to condos and co-ops.

Condos and co-ops are driving home price increases in several of D.C.&#x27;s hottest markets this year compared to 2022, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UrbanTurf" data-vars-click-url="https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/how_condos_and_co-ops_are_driving_home_price_appreciation_in_dc/21371" data-vars-content-id="179067b6-00ca-4bb9-ba72-49117a764383" data-vars-headline="Condos drive up home prices in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/how_condos_and_co-ops_are_driving_home_price_appreciation_in_dc/21371" target="_blank">UrbanTurf</a> reported last month.Why it matters: Condos aren&#x27;t normally the primary driver of neighborhood home value appreciation here. Usually, it&#x27;s single-family homes.

Share of $1 million D.C. homes rises since pre-pandemic

There are now 13 million-dollar neighborhoods in the District, up from 10 in January 2020.

More than 19% of D.C. homes are worth at least $1 million, up from 15% in pre-pandemic June 2019, new Redfin data shared with Axios shows.Why it matters: Low inventory is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushing up prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="dd88e4aa-d9af-4b5e-9d93-fc523b045214" data-vars-headline="Share of $1 million D.C. homes rises since pre-pandemic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">pushing up prices</a> nationwide and sending more into seven-figure territory.

Map: Share of houses worth $1 million or more, by select metro area

Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs

Seen more vertical white siding and charming porches lately?

Vertical white siding, charming porches, black window casings, shiplap and apron sinks have taken over home design in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C.&#x27;s suburbs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/10/washington-dc-suburb-real-estate-home-prices" data-vars-content-id="2cef40c7-c3af-4dbf-a920-5ec67cb55306" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/10/washington-dc-suburb-real-estate-home-prices" target="_self">D.C.&#x27;s suburbs</a>.Why it matters: Modern farmhouses have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dethroned McMansions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" data-vars-content-id="2cef40c7-c3af-4dbf-a920-5ec67cb55306" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" target="_blank">dethroned McMansions</a> as the suburban dream home.

Front/side view of house with vertical white siding, white beams and black window casings

Office to apartment conversions hit roadblocks in D.C.

Converting empty D.C. buildings into apartments could bring more people downtown, but reimagining the spaces isn't easy.

Converting empty D.C. buildings into apartments could bring more people downtown, but reimagining the spaces isn&#x27;t easy.Why it matters: D.C. and many cities across the nation are scrambling to revitalize downtowns in a post-pandemic world by turning underutilized office and hotel buildings into apartments.

Illustration of a hand holding a key surrounded by abstract shapes. 

New apartments by the Masonic Temple to open soon

The first move-ins are tentatively planned for September 1.

Years after they first sparked a NIMBY spat near Logan Circle, the apartments behind the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple are almost done.Why it matters: News of the four-story-plus penthouse development on a grassy lot behind the 16th Street temple miffed some neighbors in the late 2010s.

The rooftop with a view of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, with a pool and lounge chairs.

Here's what it's like owning a dome home in Virginia

Dome homes can stand up to hurricane-force winds, and people are intrigued by their rounded shape.

More people are talking about dome homes and disaster-proof designs as a solution to climate threats.Why it matters: Experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing extreme weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="6d3c8b92-3eae-4a75-94dd-71acd44cb88a" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what it&#x27;s like owning a dome home in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" target="_self">increasing extreme weather</a> could give mass-market appeal to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dome structures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/25/climate-change-geodesic-domes-future-homes" data-vars-content-id="6d3c8b92-3eae-4a75-94dd-71acd44cb88a" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what it&#x27;s like owning a dome home in Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/25/climate-change-geodesic-domes-future-homes" target="_self">dome structures</a>, which are relatively cheap to build and resilient against hurricane-force winds, Axios&#x27; Cuneyt Dil writes.

Mega Takoma Metro development advances

New housing and retail projects near Metro stations are a priority for D.C.

Development

A giant 435-unit housing and retail development near the Takoma Metro station won approval last week from historic preservation authorities.Why it matters: New housing and retail projects near Metro stations are a priority for D.C., and this one is a prime example in Northwest.

A rendering of a new brick and grey building in Takoma Park.

5 newcomers share their advice for moving to the D.C. area

Here's what five Axios D.C. readers say about making the move to the DMV.

Moving to a new city can be tough. Here&#x27;s what five Axios D.C. readers say about making the move to the DMV.

Real Estate 🏠