Wheat Row

Wheat Row comprises four attached brick townhouses on 4th Street SW that display Late Georgian design with distinctive Flemish bond masonry patterns in their walls. The structures are now integrated into a residential cooperative complex while retaining their original red brick facades.

James Clark constructed these townhouses between 1794 and 1795, making them the earliest rowhouse examples in Washington, D.C. They represent the beginning of residential development in the Southwest Waterfront area during the city's formative years.

The row takes its name from John Wheat, a gardener who lived in one of the houses around 1819 and left his mark on the neighborhood's identity. The name persists today as a reminder of the people who shaped this waterfront community long ago.

The townhouses are visible from 4th Street SW and accessible for external viewing as part of the Harbour Square residential complex in the neighborhood. Walking along the street provides clear views of the historic red brick facades from the public sidewalk.

Despite multiple renovation phases since the 1700s, the foundations and original brick walls have retained their structural integrity and early architectural elements. This longevity is rare for buildings from this era in the city.

Location: Washington, D.C.

GPS coordinates: 38.87389,-77.01806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41