Observatory Circle

Extending from Calvert Street to Massachusetts Avenue, Observatory Circle is a street in Washington’s Northwest Quadrant. The name “circle” is due to the street’s peculiar shape: the road, in fact, forms a sort of interrupted loop, similar to an arc.

One of the main claims to fame of this area is, without any doubt, the fact that this is where the Vice President of the United States officially resides – at Number One Observatory Circle. The area is also home to the United States Naval Observatory – hence the “observatory” in its name – as well as several embassies that line its main road, Massachusetts Avenue.

Due to the large number of embassies that are present in this area, Observatory Circle is also known as Embassy Row.

But Observatory Circle is not all splendid mansions and international residents. The area has a distinctly quiet, idyllic vibe, due to its tree-lined streets, its luscious and perfectly-curated lawns, and its small, exclusive community.

The southern part of Observatory Circle is more accessible and less luxurious than the rest of the neighborhood, and it features smaller condos, single-family homes, and a popular recreational center.