West End, Washington, D.C. facts for kids
The West End is a neighborhood in Washington, D.C.. It's located in the western part of the city. The area is bordered by K Street to the south, Rock Creek Park to the west and north, and New Hampshire Avenue and 21st Street to the east.
The West End got its name because it was the westernmost part of the first plan for Washington, D.C. This plan was created by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. Later, the nearby area of Georgetown became part of the city.
Today, the West End is home to several embassies, which are like offices for other countries. For example, the Qatar and Spain have their embassies here. The Egyptian Defense Office is also in the neighborhood.
George Washington University and its Medical Center are right next to the West End, near Washington Circle.
Years ago, the West End had many empty spaces and old buildings. In 1972, city planners created a project called "New Town for the West End." Their goal was to make this part of the city lively again. Now, the West End has fancy hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt, and Fairmont. You can also find many luxury apartments and some of the city's best restaurants here.
The neighborhood is close to other well-known areas. These include Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, and Dupont Circle. It's also near the main business area of downtown Washington, D.C. Important places like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Kennedy Center are close by.
A Look Back at West End's Past
Historically, the West End was a community where many African-American families lived. The streets were lined with brick Victorian rowhouses and buildings used for storage.
From 1880 until 2002, a special place called the Columbia Hospital for Women was in the West End. This hospital was very important because it provided care for women having babies. At a time when some other hospitals would not help African-American women, Columbia Hospital for Women welcomed everyone. After it closed, the building was turned into apartments.
What's New in the West End
The West End is a neighborhood that is always changing. Many new buildings are being constructed or planned. These new buildings include hundreds of luxury apartments.
One area that has seen a lot of discussion is known as Square 37. This block is different from its neighbors because it has older, shorter buildings. Other blocks around it have many new, tall buildings. For a while, Square 37 was home to the Tiverton, an apartment building where the rent was controlled. This meant the rent could not go up too much. The people living there worked hard to protect their homes.
In 2007, the city council made a decision to sell some public buildings in the West End. These included the West End public library branch and a police station. A firehouse on a nearby block was also part of the sale. These buildings were sold to a company called Eastbanc.
Learning and Libraries
The West End has places for learning and reading. The District of Columbia Public Schools operates the Francis-Stevens Educational Center. It is located at 2425 N Street.
The District of Columbia Public Library also has a branch here. It is called the West End Neighborhood Library.
