1500 Block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
9th Street SE to the Anacostia River
15th to 16th Streets SE

1903 Adjacent to Admiral Barney Circle on the east, this block was poised to capitalize on the proximity of nearby military uses such as the Navy Yard. Although largely the site of empty lots, development did favor the south side, which filled with attached homes. A few larger, detached structures appeared in the center of the northern face.

1954 The majority of earlier, south side rowhouses remained, although little development took place on this block, with the exception of the areas fronting Fifteenth Street. All lots fronting the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue between 15th Street and Barney circle were vacant in 1954

1998 A Domino’s Pizza franchise holds the northwestern corner of 15th and Pennsylvania, detracting from the density of the block. Townhouses on the north side extend to mid-block, where they meet a large parking lot. Newer than most of rowhouses along the corridor, these infill buildings share a uniform setback. An automotive parking lot terminates the northeastern portion of the avenue. Across from this parking lot another example of contemporary intrusion, McDonald’s, monopolizes a visually significant site. The restaurant further erodes the impact of what was once to be a prominent gateway to the city. The rowhouses moving from the northwest corner toward McDonald’s are well maintained, freshly painted, and create an interesting visual feature for this segment. Raised entries and stoops function as a division between public and private space for these two story buildings. Notably absent along this strip are street trees.

Rehabilitated rowhouses on the south side now
serve as commercial space.
Dominos Pizza as infill on the NW corner at 15th Street.

Infill rowhouses

1903	Adjacent to Admiral Barney Circle on the east, this block was poised to capitalize on the proximity of nearby military uses such as the Navy Yard. Although largely the site of empty lots, development did favor the south side, which filled with attached homes. A few larger, detached structures appeared in the center of the northern face.
1954	The majority of earlier, south side rowhouses remained, although little development took place on this block, with the exception of the areas fronting Fifteenth Street. All lots fronting the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue between 15th Street and Barney circle were vacant in 1954
1998	A Domino’s Pizza franchise holds the northwestern corner of 15th and Pennsylvania, detracting from the density of the block. Townhouses on the north side extend to mid-block, where they meet a large parking lot. Newer than most of rowhouses along the corridor, these infill buildings share a uniform setback. An automotive parking lot terminates the northeastern portion of the avenue. Across from this parking lot another example of contemporary intrusion, McDonald’s, monopolizes a visually significant site. The restaurant further erodes the impact of what was once to be a prominent gateway to the city. The rowhouses moving from the northwest corner toward McDonald’s are well maintained, freshly painted, and create an interesting visual feature for this segment. Raised entries and stoops function as a division between public and private space for these two story buildings. Notably absent along this strip are street trees.

Rehabilitated rowhouses on the south side now serve as commercial space.	Dominos Pizza as infill on the NW corner at 15th Street.
Infill rowhouses