Live boldly in the heart of the city

Welcome to Columbia Heights, a dense and vibrant neighborhood in Washington D.C., which offers the convenience of brand name retailers alongside the charm of local shops and global cuisine, reflecting its rich cultural diversity and bustling community.

A sampling of local businesses

  • Studio Acting Conservatory

    The Studio Acting Conservatory, located at 3423 Holmead Place NW in Columbia Heights, is a long-standing institution that provides rigorous actor and director training. Celebrating over 50 years of service, it offers a welcoming environment for aspiring performers of varied backgrounds, and has established its home in the neighborhood in recent years.

  • Queen's English

    On 11th Street in Columbia Heights, Queen’s English offers modern Hong Kong–inspired dishes in a stylish emerald-green dining room with vintage lighting. Founded by chef Henji Cheung and Sarah Thompson, the menu blends East and West with highlights like curried-shrimp croquettes, scallion pancakes, and duck drunken noodles, complemented by natural wines and creative desserts.

  • Gala Hispanic Theater

    Situated at 3333 14th Street NW, GALA Hispanic Theatre is Washington, D.C.’s premier Latino performing arts center, showcasing Spanish-language and bilingual productions, youth programs, and community events celebrating Latino culture. A vital cultural hub, it is deeply rooted in Columbia Heights and central to the neighborhood’s artistic life.

  • Dandelion Collective

    Dandelion Collective is a coworking and events space tailored for LGBTQ+ and allied professionals, located just a five-minute walk north of the Columbia Heights Metro. It offers furnished offices, communal areas, and a welcoming cultural hub in the neighborhood.

  • Thip Khao

    Tucked on 14th Street at 3462 NW, Thip Khao is a standout Lao restaurant that has introduced many local diners to the bold flavors of Laos. Under chef/co-owner Seng Luangrath, the menu features sticky rice, jungle-style dishes, and flavorful, adventurous fare. The restaurant has earned acclaim for its authenticity and vibrant culinary identity.

  • F45

    Located at 1400 Irving St NW, this studio of the global F45 Training franchise delivers 45-minute high-intensity functional and team-training workouts. It’s become a popular fitness option in Columbia Heights for those seeking structured, coached workouts with a strong community vibe.

  • Bloombars

    Located at 3222 11th St NW, BloomBars is a nonprofit arts and community-space founded in 2008 in Columbia Heights. Operating as a venue for open-mic nights, dance and wellness classes, film screenings, and youth programming, it plays a unique role in the local arts ecosystem and neighborhood-building efforts.

  • Odd Provisions

    Situated at 3301 11th St NW, Odd Provisions is a locally-owned specialty corner market offering craft beer, natural wine, snacks, prepared meals, and gift baskets. Their café section serves hearty sandwiches, soups and salads (including vegan options), making it a beloved neighborhood stop for both everyday essentials and gourmet curiosities.

  • Target

    This full-service location of Target is situated at 3100 14th St NW. Open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, it offers everything from groceries and household goods to electronics, a CVS pharmacy, and a Starbucks café inside. As one of the major retail anchors in the neighborhood, it's a convenient go-to for many residents.

Why Columbia Heights?

Connected
Neighborhood

  • Walk Score of 96: Walker’s Paradise

  • 10+ Capital Bikeshare stations with ~270 docks in a one-mile radius

  • 12th busiest Metro Station with 8K+ riders per day

  • Multiple bus routes criss-cross the neighborhood

Vibrant
Community

  • DC’s densest enclave with 57k residents per square mile, roughly 330 neighbors on every city block

  • Average Household income of $159,337 within 1/2 mile of neighborhood center

  • A neighborhood steeped in history: Once home to Supreme Court Justices, Jazz greats, and Civil Rights leaders

Endless
Opportunity

  • 3 distinct corridors: 14th St Retail Core, 11th St Restaurant Row, and Northern 14th Cultural Hub

  • Shopping hub with Target, Marshalls, Best Buy, Giant, and Lidl

  • Bordered by U Street, Adams Morgan, Mt Pleasant, and Petworth

Start your business here

Residents and visitors enjoy an array of restaurants, shops, and cultural amenities, making it an ideal location for those seeking a place to start a business. The rich variety of local businesses contributes to the neighborhood's unique charm and offers something for everyone.

Check out our available commercial real estate on this map.

Events in the neighborhood

FreshFarm Farmer’s Market

Columbia Heights Civic Plaza
Every Wednesday 3:00pm-7:00pm (May7th - Nov 26) and Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm (Jan4th - Dec 29th)

Columbia Heights Day

Columbia Heights Day is a lively annual festival celebrating local culture with music, food, art, and community fun for all ages.

Bike to Work Day

Hop into the Columbia Heights Plaza pit stop (afternoon session), grab freebies, and join a community ride through Rock Creek Park!
Annually 3rd Friday of May

Sundress Fest

Sundress Fest transforms Columbia Heights every first Sunday in June into a joyous street party where everyone dons sundresses and grooves to DJs—all while raising money for local charities in celebration of community and summer spirit.

For more information

  • Check out commercial spaces for lease or for sale in Columbia Heights

  • DC Department of Small and Local Business Development https://dslbd.dc.gov/

    Access Point DC https://accesspointdc.com/

    DC Small Business Development Center https://dcsbdc.org/

    Latino Economic Development Center https://www.ledcmetro.org/

  • Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A: The elected neighborhood body representing Columbia Heights. The Commission advocates for community-driven development and regularly partners with residents, businesses, and city agencies to enhance the local economy, improve public spaces, and support small business growth. - https://anc1a.org/

    Columbia Heights & Mount Pleasant Main Street: The Main Street program offers hands-on support to small businesses, from marketing assistance and storefront improvements to navigating permits and funding opportunities. Whether you're a new business or looking to grow, their team is here to help you succeed in Columbia Heights. - https://districtbridges.org/main-street/columbia-heights-mount-pleasant