Location

The Bader, a condominium residence of one-bedroom and studio apartments, stands on K Street in the Northwest section of Washington, D.C.

The 96-unit Art Deco building overlooks the brick-sidewalked Foggy Bottom Historic District with its dozens of cozy townhouses. Within Foggy Bottom are the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the George Washington University, and the Watergate complex. Just a few steps to the north of the Bader runs busy Pennsylvania Avenue. That famous thoroughfare is the entrance point to always-bustling Georgetown. In the other direction, Pennsylvania Avenue leads to the White House nine blocks away.

Several bus lines along Pennsylvania Avenue serve the nearby business and commercial district, as well as many of the museums situated throughout the city. Also serving the Bader's neighborhood is a Metrorail station -- the Foggy Bottom-George Washington University stop on the Orange and Blue lines. It lies three blocks away. The Bader's location affords quick access to I-66 and the George Washington Parkway out of Washington, DC.

A Trader Joes, a Safeway, George Washington University Hospital, the World Bank, George Washington University, Georgetown University, the Washington Mall containing famous monuments and the Smithsonian Institution, the downtown business district, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, exercise facilities, boat houses/marinas, bike trails, an outdoor swimming pool, churches, synagogues, a library, pharmacies, retail stores, boutiques, coffee shops, banks, post offices, a police station, a fire station, hotels and restaurants are within easy walking distance. Parking is on-street.

History

The Bader was constructed as an apartment building during 1938-1939. The building quickly became filled with tenants attracted by the Art Deco detailing of the building, its solid construction, and the benefit of being one of the first apartment houses in the capital to be fully air conditioned. It's rental rates of $38 per month for a studio and $54 per month for a one bedroom were not inexpensive for the time.

The builder of the Bader was Joseph Howar, an immigrant to America who became a self-made and extremely prominent Washington businessman. He named the building after his wife, Bader Howar. The building architect was Louis de Laruantayes.

In 1981 the Bader was converted into a condominium residence.

Features

Renovations that took place in 1981 include installation of energy-efficient double-glazed windows, a new heating/air conditioning/ventilation system, upgraded electrical supply, new kitchen appliances, a courtyard patio with barbecue grills, and a roof deck with a 360-degree view of the city and Potomac River that gives owners and their guests a prime vantage point for viewing Independence Day fireworks on the Mall and in suburban communities.

Walls in the building are nine inches thick -- offering a degree of quiet that's difficult to find in other buildings. Ceilings are 10 feet high. Floors are hardwood oak parquet.

Condominium Life

Because not everyone may be familiar with condominium ownership, a few words are in order.

Condominium ownership, in addition to granting rights also demands obligations that differ from those in rental communities or in single-family homes. The success of the Bader condominium depends in large part on owners' participation in the affairs of the condominium.

The Bader condominium is governed by a board of directors elected by unit owners -- the members of the Bader Unit Owners' Association.

The board hires a managing agent, currently Bernie Robinson of BRIM, on behalf of the Bader Unit Owners' Association to oversee the daily operation of the building, including the physical and fiscal management, development and maintenance of the budget, bill payment and the negotiation and supervision of contracts. The seven-member board works closely with the managing agent in overseeing the operations of the Bader.

In 1984 the board embarked on an ambitious capital improvement program for the building. These improvements have modernized an enhanced the quality of the building. Further, the board continues to build its reserves in order to accomplish scheduled replacements of the mechanical systems and building improvements. Our most recent major improvement was a redesign of the roof and roofdeck in 2003.

We hope you enjoy visiting the Bader electronically via our website!