The Curbed Cup, our annual award for the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of the year, is kicking off with 16 areas vying for the prestigious (fake) trophy. This week we'll have two matchups per day, and all the results and the full tournament bracket will be reviewed on Friday. Voting for each pairing ends 24 hours after it begins. Let the eliminations commence!
Let the games begin! The Curbed Cup competition has officially begun, and that means that its time to pair up two Washington, D.C. neighborhoods against each other. For this first round: Georgetown (no. 1) and Bloomingdale (no. 16). For those wondering when the full bracket will be revealed, you will just have to sit and wait until Friday, December 18. If interested in voting on if Shaw is better than NoMa or vice versa, be sure to vote in this poll as well before it closes in 24 hours. Georgetown is known for being one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the District. Established in 1751, the area is known as one of the city's most sought after shopping centers. Some of the most well-known former residents include Julia Child and John F. Kennedy. The neighborhood also features the city's teeny tinest abode as well as the Old Stone House, Washington, D.C.'s oldest building. Some of the minuses to this neighborhood could include the lack of parking, narrow sidewalks, and maybe the fact that its one of the most touristy destinations in the city. The fact that the neighborhood is also home to Georgetown University could also cause this Curbed Cup contender to become a frontrunner or a bit of a bummer to Curbed readers. A few last-minute pluses worth noting include the neighborhood's rather gorgeous waterfront views and century old abodes. For those looking for some dining options, be sure to check out Curbed's sister site, Eater.
Competing against Georgetown for the Curbed Cup is Bloomingdale, a Northwest neighborhood known for its walkability and dozens of restaurant, bar, and retail options. One Curbed reader who nominated the neighborhood described Bloomingdale as "the place where almost everyone knows your name." According to UrbanTurf, the neighborhood was once crime-ridden, but has risen with tree-lined streets, hipsters, and Victorian row houses. Some of the most notable developments in the area include the McMillan Sand Filtration Site and Crispus Attucks Park, a community-managed and -owned greenspace. Some of the most well-known former residents include Founder of the American Federation of Labor (eventually became the AFL-CIO) Samuel Gompers and Broadway singer and dancer Chita Rivera. Eater has all the deets on the best of the best restaurants in the area.
The poll will close on Tuesday, December 15 at 12 p.m. EST, so be sure to cast your vote now!
· Georgetown coverage [Curbed DC]
· Bloomingdale coverage [Curbed DC]
· All Curbed Cup 2015 coverage [Curbed DC]