American University Park

American University Park

AU Park, or American University Park is in “upper nw.” AU Park is mostly residential but there is one commercial strip off Massachusetts Avenue, plus easy access to Tenleytown.

It’s on the west side of Wisconsin, extends up to Western Ave. The neighborhood was named for American University, and AU sits right at the boundaries of AU Park.

Red line metro is in Tenleytown, but it’s called the Tenleytown/AU Park Metro.

History

AU Park was developed in the 1920’s by WC and AN Miller, now a residential developer and real estate brokerage.

Fun fact, then-president Edward Miller, signed the covenants into law for AU Park that banned rent or sale to “NEGRO PEOPLE OR ANY PERSON OR PERSON OF THE SEMITIC RACE, BLOOD, … TO INCLUDE ARMENIANS, JEWS, HEBREWS, PERSIANS, OR SYRIANS.”

The neighborhood has around 3000 homes and almost all are single family detached and include a variety of house types.

If you’re looking for a “neighborhood” with fenced yards and activity in the street with kids playing and people walking and running, it’s here.

Did you know?

Another fun fact. When Richard Nixon was Senator in the 1950’s he owned 4801 Tilden Street.

Real Estate

There are no condos here in AU Park aside from Cityline Condos over the Tenleytown Metro. Everything here is a single family home.

Single family houses can start in $800,000’s but they are going to need work. Prices generally go well into $1M’s to $3M.

Food

You have easy access to the strip on Wisconsin that’s on the border of Tenleytown, where you will find Guapos, Surfside, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Masala Art – Indian Food, Panera and Chik Fil a.

Then off Massachusetts Avenue, there is a retail strip as well. You will find Wagshal’s Deli, Millies, De Carlos, Pizzeria Paradiso & Le Pain Quotidien. The closest grocery store is Whole Foods in Tenleytown.

Fun

This part of the city is more residential. AU Park abuts Tenleytown, some of the shopping includes the Tenleytown options – Whole Foods, Target, Container Store. Or go to Crate & Barrel or Wagshals market on Mass Ave.

The big DPR (DC Department of Parks and Recreation) Park is Turtle Park 45th and Van Ness. Here you will find Friendship Recreation Center which is a new state of the art 4,500 square foot recreation facility. There’s a community room to hold up to 125 people, lobby/gallery to display local art, dedicated kids/craft room for the local coop, exterior updated tot lot and upper playground, a new basketball court, and a new splash pad.

Kids

Sullivan’s Toys is in Tenleytown, and the Tenleytown Library hosts story-time and crafts at different times during week.

Other kid-centric activities will be associated with the schools, you have Janney Elementary, Mann Elementary, Deal Middle and Wilson High School that service the neighborhood.

Pediatricians aren’t far away either – Georgetown Pediatrics in 4200 Wisconsin.

Dogs

Unfortunately there are no DC Dog parks in AU Park, but there are a couple nearby in Cathedral Heights and Friendship Heights. The streets here are great for dog walks and many yards are fenced or can be.

I hope this gave you a great overview. Let me know if you have questions!

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