What is the history of coops in DC? Cooperatives have long been a part of the housing market in Washington, DC. In fact, the idea of collective housing first emerged in the 1900s. Around this time, the city’s population began to increase rapidly, and cooperatives evolved from consisting solely of luxury residences to incorporating affordable housing as well.
History of Coops in DC: The Beginning
The history of DC cooperatives dates back to the 20th century. The first cooperative in the city, The Mendota, was established in 1901 in Kalorama. The building marked the start of a movement that prioritized collective ownership over individual profit.
Designed by George S. Cooper, The Mendota features a Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival style of architecture that was lauded for its elegance.
In 1920, a total of 10 rental apartment buildings in DC became cooperatives. This signaled a shift in how residents started viewing homeownership. Instead of buying a separate piece of property, more and more people turned to purchase shares in a cooperative.
This model allowed residents to share expenses and have a significant say in decision-making. The setup helped promote stability and enabled greater control over how the cooperative was run. Over the next few decades, cooperatives spread throughout the DC neighborhoods. These included Cleveland Park, Cathedral Heights, and Dupont Circle.
Cooperatives became particularly attractive to residents who wanted a place to call home without dealing with the volatility of the housing market. The board of each cooperative took on the responsibility of maintaining the property, setting policies, and ensuring the association always put the best interests of the community first.
Growth During the Early and Mid-20th Century
By the 1920s and 1930s, cooperative housing had become a fixed element of the housing market in DC. The Broadmoor (1929) and The Westchester (1931 to 1933) both featured impressive architecture, setting the bar for cooperatives. They boast grand lobbies, landscape gardens, and a strong sense of community.
The Broadmoor, located on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park, was designed by Joseph Abel. The building reflects the Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles. It introduced amenities ahead of their time, including a concierge service, gardens, and community spaces.
The Westchester in Cathedral Heights, on the other hand, was even more luxurious. It contains five buildings on 10 landscaped acres. The building housed prominent Washington, DC, residents and remains a fixture of pre-war cooperative housing.
That said, the rise of cooperatives during this time wasn’t limited to luxury housing. In the decades that followed, DC became a leader in developing cooperatives across all income levels. The cooperative setup even extended beyond housing, bleeding into sectors such as food, credit, and transportation.
History of Coops in DC and Social Change
The cooperative movement in DC also has deep roots in social justice. During the 20th century, African American leaders and community organizers started using cooperatives as tools for empowerment and independence.
In the early 1900s, advocates like W.E.B. Du Bois talked about the power of cooperatives. Du Bois believed that they could help African Americans gain economic freedom.
Later, figures such as Arthur Capper, who led the DC Committee in the U.S. Senate, sought to make legal ways to form cooperatives in the District. His efforts largely contributed to legislation that supported cooperatives, not just in DC but across the country.
By the 1960s and 1970s, local activism breathed new life to the cooperative movement. Community leader Cornelius “Cornbread” Givens played a central role in promoting cooperatives during Mayor Marion Barry’s administration. Givens and other advocates established the Poor People’s Development Foundation (PPDF), which supported the creation of cooperatives for food access, housing, and employment.
Under Barry’s leadership, the Mayor’s Commission on Cooperative Economic Development was launched in 1980 to support low-income communities. The commission encouraged the formation of food markets, energy co-ops, and housing cooperatives, especially in neglected neighborhoods.
Postwar and Mid-Century Expansion
After World War II, cooperative housing in DC began to reflect more modern architecture and lifestyles. Buildings like Harbour Square and Tiber Island, designed by architect Cloethiel Woodard Smith in the 1960s, featured a mid-century modern design. They boasted open courtyards and waterfront views. These developments helped refresh Southwest DC and showed that cooperatives were not a thing of the past.
Another major development from this era was the Watergate complex (1963 and 1971), designed by Luigi Moretti. While the Watergate name became infamous in American politics, it remains one of DC’s most iconic cooperative communities. With its sweeping curves, modern design, and luxury amenities, the Watergate complex became a highly sought-after residence.
The Shoreham West, completed in 1965, features mid-century modern architecture. The building remains a luxury cooperative in Woodley Park to this day. Features include a 24-hour concierge service, a swimming pool, and stunning views of Rock Creek Park.
The Modern Cooperative Landscape
Today, Washington, DC, remains one of the strongest cooperative housing markets in the country, second only to New York City. The city has an estimated 15,000 cooperative units spread across neighborhoods such as Kalorama, Cathedral Heights, Foggy Bottom, and Southwest Waterfront.
While many of DC’s historic co-ops still attract residents, newer conversions are just as popular. These modern cooperatives help residents gain access to affordable and stable housing in otherwise expensive or volatile markets.
Boards in these associations face unique responsibilities. They must manage not only the physical upkeep of older structures but also ensure long-term sustainability. Many boards work with professional management companies to oversee maintenance, finances, and operations.
Iconic Cooperatives in Washington, DC
Several historic buildings have shaped DC’s cooperative identity throughout the decades, including:
- The Mendota (1901). The city’s first co-op, located in Kalorama, remains a landmark of early 20th-century architecture.
- The Broadmoor (1929). A pre-war classic in Cleveland Park, known for its Art Deco and Gothic Revival blend.
- The Westchester (1933). A sprawling community in Cathedral Heights that continues to embody luxury and tradition.
- The Watergate (Between 1963 and 1971). A world-famous address on the Potomac River that combines political history with mid-century design.
- Harbour Square and Tiber Island (1966). Pioneers of Southwest DC redevelopment, showcasing modernist architecture and cooperative planning.
- Shoreham West (1965). A mid-century modern example of elegance and exclusivity near Rock Creek Park.
Past and Present Blending Together
The history of coops in DC is a testament to the city’s evolution — from early architectural progress to a commitment to shared governance and community development. More than a century later, cooperatives continue to provide stable and resident-driven housing while simultaneously preserving some of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
TNWLC offers co-op management services to cooperatives in Washington, DC. Call us today at (202) 483-8282 or contact us online to get started!
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