TRINIDAD

HISTORY

The area got its name from 19th century speculator James Barry, who had once lived on the Caribbean island.[2] A street in the neighborhood bears the name of Trinidad Avenue NE.

The land passed to and from the Corcoran family who used it as a country estate, to Columbian College, which later became George Washington University, and then to the Washington Brick Machine Company. The brickworks intended to excavate clay from the land, but not needing all of the land, began selling off parcels, and, in the late 19th century, the first houses in southern Trinidad were built.

The American League Park was located at the corner of Florida Ave NE and Trinidad Avenue NE from 1901 to 1904. It was home to the Washington Senators [3]

LOCATION

Trinidad is a trapezoidal neighborhood that is roughly bounded by West Virginia Avenue NE to the west, Mt. Olivet Road to the north, Bladensburg Road NE to the east and Florida Avenue NE to the south. As noted, it sits to the north of the bustling development in the H Street Corridor and several blocks east of DC’s newest destination, Union Market.

Trinidad is to the east of West Virginia Avenue, north of Florida Avenue, and west of Bladensburg Road.[1] To the north of Trinidad is a more industrial (and impoverished) neighborhood Ivy City. To the west is Gallaudet University and the Florida Market (D.C.'s wholesale food district, also called the Capital City Market or more recently Union Market). To the east lies Carver Langston. To the south of Trinidad is Old City, so named because it was part of Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the city, and generally referred to as either Near Northeast or Capitol Hill North. Located immediately south of Trinidad is the H Street Corridor. The eastern portion of the H Street Corridor is sometimes referred to as the Atlas District, part of a neighborhood branding campaign centered on the revitalized Atlas Theater.

With easy access to major roadways, street parking is also abundant in the neighborhood, while it’s additionally a convenient location for biking and a reasonable distance from local public transportation. Now a walk-able neighborhood too, Trinidad has shed the reputation of its past, re-emerging as one of the most desirable and trendy locations for new buyers in the DC area.

SPEND A DAY

Draws of the community include the Trinidad Recreation Center with room for indoor and outdoor basketball plus a superhero-themed playground, skate spot, teen center and a fitness room. Past celebrations have included a one-day art festival that brought in the creations of local artists plus there’s an active association of neighbors working together to improve the community’s overall quality of life.

While you won’t find stores set up within the neighborhood, they’re only a short distance away, as are grocers and other major retailers, with various options available in the nearby H Street corridor. Perhaps in continuing the trend of new development in nearby NoMa and the H Street Corridor, Trinidad is emerging with a new identity all its own.

While it pales in comparison to H Street NE with retail and dining options, it is a short walk to that corridor. Trinidad also boasts Bardo Brewpub, a beer garden on Bladensburg Road NE that has gained a lot of popularity with area residents. The new DC Streetcars will run through the south end of Trinidad, connecting Union Station to the Minnesota Avenue Metro stop on the orange line.

CURRENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Trinidad is an up-and-coming Northeast neighborhood that is becoming a sought-after destination for affordable housing in the District, although that affordability may not last for long. Trinidad’s location just to the north of the H Street Corridor coupled with (up until recently) an affordable housing market by DC standards, has made it an attractive destination for young adults, who join many residents that have been there for generations.

You’ll see a number of the older homes and properties turned into condos in the neighborhood, in varying price points. A central location, of course, only helps with the appeal of the neighborhood. Now, buyers are back, moving at a frenzied pace to take advantage of government incentives and low interest rates, and even neighborhoods that were once thought to be “transitional” have proved to be too competitive for many first-time buyers. These buyers are once again turning to neighborhoods that they normally would not have considered, Trinidad among them.

Most of the home buying activity is concentrated along the southwest portion of the neighborhood that straddles Florida Avenue. This area is lined with brick-front row houses mostly occupied by long-time homeowners, but now also attracting first-timers who consider the properties to be good deals. (The average price for a home in Trinidad hovers around $375,000. There are several larger properties in the neighborhood that have been renovated and turned into four-unit condominium complexes. These offer much more affordable options than similar units in Northwest DC and other parts of Northeast. The completely remodeled condos offer a good option for those who want to be in a newer property and don’t need the space that comes with owning a house.

There are several other factors that make Trinidad attractive. Its proximity to downtown and the New York Avenue Metro station make it convenient for downtown commuters. The resurgence of neighboring H Street has been well-documented and some of the area’s reputation has rubbed off on Trinidad. Streetcar tracks are already being laid along H Street that would give Trinidad and the surrounding area direct access to another form of transit.

HOMES

Filled with a unique selection of older Victorian-style homes and Craftsman-style row houses, the Trinidad neighborhood is one of the hottest DC locations for new residents. This vibrantly hued neighborhood contains quite a few recently renovated properties, with some in the midst of remodeling projects right now. In fact, that seems to be a continuing theme throughout the neighborhood, sorely in need of a facelift just a few years ago. These days, though, the neighborhood is coming back, as new homeowners are lured by an enticing selection of homes ready to put on their own finishing touches.