Some homes have a view. This one has a view of practically all of Washington. And there's a fascinating reason why.
Welcome to Unit 711 at The Cairo, where historic character meets one of DC's most exciting locations. This charming one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence offers 558 square feet of personality, with exposed brick, hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and a decorative fireplace. And while the historic details provide the charm, a brand-new HVAC system delivers a major modern upgrade. Also, the refrigerator and dishwasher were replaced in '23/'24. It's warm, inviting, comfortable, and unmistakably Washington.
But living at The Cairo comes with a particularly extraordinary perk: one of the most spectacular rooftop decks in the city. The views stretch all across Washington, taking in the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, National Cathedral, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and a remarkable collection of DC's most recognizable landmarks. It's the kind of rooftop where you bring visitors and simply let the city do the talking.
And when you head out the front door, you're in the middle of everything. Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and 14th Street—DC's unofficial Restaurant Row—are practically at your doorstep. Dinner at the iconic Le Diplomate, cocktails around the corner at Jane Jane, neighborhood cafés, boutiques, galleries, and Metro access are all part of everyday life here. The hardest decision might be where to eat.
Now, about those views. There's a reason they're so special.
Built in 1894 by developer Thomas Franklin Schneider, The Cairo rose an astonishing 12 stories above Washington, becoming the city's first residential skyscraper. Its height was so groundbreaking that it helped inspire the Height of Buildings Act of 1899 and subsequent legislation in 1910, establishing restrictions that still shape DC's skyline today.
In other words, The Cairo helped create the very height restrictions that make its rooftop views so extraordinary. More than 130 years later, this architectural landmark continues to stand apart from its neighbors, offering a perspective on Washington that few buildings can match.
Along the way, The Cairo also enjoyed a glamorous chapter as a fashionable hotel associated with guests including Thomas Edison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, President William Howard Taft, and Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii, before its conversion into private condominiums in the late 1970s. Today, residents enjoy the building's historic character alongside conveniences such as concierge service.
A home with personality. A neighborhood with everything. A rooftop with almost all of Washington laid out before you.
And the man who made those views possible more than a century ago?
Thanks, Schneider.
