The Cairo | Historic Condos | Dupont Circle
Located at 1615 Q Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
A true landmark in every sense of the word, the Cairo is a historic condominium in Washington, DC’s highly popular Dupont Circle neighborhood. Standing 164 feet tall with 168 residences spread out over 12 stories, the Romanesque Revival-style structure was designed by notable architect Thomas Franklin Schneider who was inspired by the Egyptian themes he had observed at the World’s Fair in Chicago. The Cairo with its stone gargoyles and griffins adorning the exteriors was completed in 1894.
Today, the Cairo is home to elegant condo units that have been renovated during various phases over the building’s lengthy history. You’ll find layouts ranging from studios to three bedrooms, including eight grand duplex residences. Sizes vary from a tidy 350 to well over 1,270 square feet of living space. Schneider was responsible for designing a huge number of houses and residential buildings over the course of his long career, some of which still endure. The Albemarle in Dupont Circle and the Iowa in next-door Logan Circle are two of Schneider's buildings that are certainly worth pointing out.
The Cairo Condo Inventory for Sale
The Cairo: A Controversial Building in its Day
The creation of the Cairo created a lot of headlines at the time and not all were positive. In fact, the sheer height of the looming structure with its rough-hewn stone walls was a key motivator in the District’s Heights of Buildings Act. The legislation that was passed into law in 1910 imposed height restrictions of 90 feet along residential streets and 130 feet in commercial areas. At 164 feet tall and along a residential street no less, the Cairo towers high above its neighbors. There was nothing the irate legislators could do about the existing building, but they could make sure that Washington, DC did not become the next New York City!
The Cairo Condos in Washington, DC
Originally built as an upper class apartment building, the Cairo soon transitioned into a fashionable hotel, known for its society functions and holiday parties with the huge ballroom acting as a centerpiece. As decades passed, the grandeur began to fade and by 1972, the property was sold and completely renovated, reverting once again to apartment rentals. But by the end of the 70s, the Cairo went through another evolutionary phase as it converted to condominium ownership. These days, the landmark building is home to fashionable condos that combine vintage elegance with new modern upgrades. You’ll often find elements such as original wood floors, built-ins, and brick accents mingling with remodeled kitchens and baths.
The Cairo has a lovely lobby with 24-hour staff, a terrific roof deck with amazing views, laundry facilities, and bike storage. Washer and dryer hookups are permitted in the condos, and the building is also pet-friendly. The location is also a major part of the appeal, at 1615 Q Street NW between 16th and 17th Streets. That places it about six blocks northeast of the famed Dupont traffic circle and Metro station, and also close to next-door Logan Circle. There is a Whole Foods four blocks away, and scads of great coffee shops, bars, and restaurants in every direction.
To learn more about condos for sale at the Cairo, please call Andre Perez at District Partners at Compass, 202-798-3600.
The Cairo, District of Columbia FAQs
Q: Didn’t the Cairo used to have a nickname?
A: Back in its early days, the building was sometimes referred to as “Schneider’s Folly.” This was because the architect, Franklin Schneider, designed a building so tall that Washington, DC enacted legislation to prevent future construction of buildings deemed too high.
Q: Does the Cairo allow condo owners to have dogs?
A: Yes, it’s a pet-friendly building and the S Street Dog Park is about a half-dozen blocks to the north at the corner of S and 17th Streets.
Q: Is there parking available at the Cairo?
A: No, the Cairo was built in 1894, before automobiles were readily available. There is on-street parking as well as local rental options. Additionally, the Dupont Metro Station is about six blocks away.
Q: What restaurants are close to the Cairo?
A: Annie’s Paramount Steak House, Agora DC, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Floriana, Astoria, and Trio Bistro are just a few of the popular dining options in the immediate area.
