Zumper
modified
Updated 13 Hours Ago

Highlights

  • Pet Friendly
  • Vibrant new lifestyle
  • Impressive finishes

Location

1313 L St Nw, Washington, DC 20005, USA|Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown
Hi! Let’s figure out if this property is right for you.

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Contact

Management

Willow Bridge

Our team has verified this company

Leasing office

(771) 209-3883

Open 

10:00 am–5:00 pm ET

Property Overview

Balsa offers a highly rated living experience with strong marks for price, amenities, location, quality, and trustworthiness, alongside impressive finishes and a vibrant new lifestyle. It stands out for nearby schools, abundant photo coverage, and excellent value, while also appealing for social life, work-from-home needs, sustainability, pet friendliness, and fitness and wellness.

This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings,” “Things you’ll love,” and “Great for” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.

Zumper Expert Rating

9.6
Excellent
Earning an outstanding 9.6 out of 10 overall rating, Balsa is a shining example of a what an exceptional rental property looks like. Most noteworthy, it excels at Amenities and Location—these two characteristics alone make this property an excellent choice for anyone seeking an elevated lifestyle with few trade-offs.

Things you’ll love

  • Less expensive
  • Elementary school nearby
  • High school nearby

Great for

  • Wellness
  • Eco living
  • Work-from-home

Floor plans

S1Studio1 bath390+ sqft$2,241–$2,709 /mo4 units available
A31 bed1 bath549 sqft$2,691–$2,843 /mo1 unit available
A81 bed1 bath535 sqft$2,956–$3,182 /mo1 unit available
A21 bed1 bath539 sqft$2,971–$3,245 /mo4 units available
A91 bed1 bath567+ sqft$3,151–$3,393 /mo2 units available
A41 bed1 bath605 sqft$3,171–$3,377 /mo2 units available
A61 bed1 bath783 sqft$3,736–$3,947 /mo1 unit available
A71 bed2 bath856 sqft$3,936–$4,264 /mo2 units available
B32 bed2 bath937 sqft$4,358–$5,303 /mo5 units available
B22 bed2 bath930+ sqft$4,399–$5,009 /mo4 units available
B12 bed2 bath842 sqft$4,418–$4,595 /mo1 unit available
S7Studio1 bath493 sqftAsk to join waitlistComing soon
A11 bed1 bath495 sqftAsk to join waitlistComing soon
A51 bed1 bath730 sqftAsk to join waitlistComing soon
A101 bed1 bath640 sqftAsk to join waitlistComing soon
C13 bed2 bath1,321 sqftAsk to join waitlistComing soon

Let's explore this property.

Amenities for Balsa

Apartment Amenities

Air ConditioningBalcony
Custom Built-In WardrobeFurnished
High CeilingHigh Ceilings
Juliette BalconyLarge Soaking Tub with Tile Surround
Quartz CountertopsWood Inspired Plank Flooring

Appliances

DishwasherFull Size Washer and Dryer
Garbage DisposalIn-Unit Laundry
MicrowaveRefrigerator

Tech

Cable ReadyHigh-Speed Internet

Building

Cats OKClubhouse
Controlled AccessDogs OK
ElevatorFitness Center
Free WeightsHandrails
Residents LoungeSauna
Wheelchair Accessible

Grounds

Bike RacksGarage Parking
GateOff-Street Parking
Outdoor SpaceStorage

Services

Concierge ServiceGroup Exercise
On-Site MaintenanceOn-Site Management
Package ServiceResident Perk Program
Spanish Speaking Staff

Neighborhood

Transportation

Other

Short Term LeaseWork from Home Pods
Units, floor plans, amenities, dimensions, details, availability, and prices may be approximate and subject to change. Please contact a community representative for more information.

Policies and fees

Applicants

Applicants

One-time.

Contact Property

REQUIRED FEES

Deposit

One-time. Refund Policy: 100%. Security Deposit.

$250

OPTIONAL FEES

Parking Policy

Garage Parking

Dog Policy

Allowed
Limit2

Cat Policy

Allowed
Limit2

Cat

Cat Fee

One-time. 2 cats max. Refund Policy: Non-refundable.

$500

Cat Rent

Monthly. Refund Policy: Non-refundable.

$60

Dog

Dog Fee

One-time. 2 dogs max. Refund Policy: Non-refundable.

$500

Dog Rent

Monthly. Refund Policy: Non-refundable.

$60

Questions about this property’s policies and fees?

Building details

Property details

Units222
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About Balsa

HomeApartments in WashingtonDowntown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown Balsa

Live carefree every day. Balsa, brand new apartment homes in Washington, D.C., coming home feels like you're on vacation. With impressive finishes and resort quality amenities, our apartments make it possible to live beyond your expectations. With so much to do in the perfect D.C. location, a vibrant new lifestyle awaits. Embrace it.


Go to property website

Zumper Expert Rating

Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
9.6
/10
Excellent
Earning an outstanding 9.6 out of 10 overall rating, Balsa is a shining example of a what an exceptional rental property looks like. Most noteworthy, it excels at Amenities and Location—these two characteristics alone make this property an excellent choice for anyone seeking an elevated lifestyle with few trade-offs.
How we rated Balsa
Price·9A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
Balsa stands out with a remarkable rating of 9/10 for its cost per bedroom compared to other rentals in the area. Considering the excellent balance between price, convenience, and comfort that it provides, residents enjoy a high-quality living experience.
Amenities·10A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
Balsa stands out as a premier property with an impressive array of amenities and an excellent standard of living. Residents here have access to many of the most popular and desired perks—pets allowed, furnished rental—making this one of the top choices for renters seeking unparalleled comfort and convenience.
Location·10A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
Balsa offers residents unparalleled convenience to popular points of interest, transportation, schools, and more, which provide an elevated quality of life. Communication with management is usually quick and easy, allowing for a more expedited application and renting process, saving you time and money.
Quality·10A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
Balsa has notable characteristics that give it an edge. It is a verified property that stands out from others nearby as an exceptional choice for renters looking for a specific lifestyle. Offering a combination of prestige, modernity, and tailored living experiences, residents can expect nothing short of excellence at Balsa.
Trustworthiness·9A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
Balsa has gone above and beyond to craft a useful, detailed description, demonstrating transparency and trustworthiness, and giving renters a clear picture of what to expect from the property and its management, so they can make an informed decision about whether the rental meets their needs.

Reviews from the web

Showing 8 highest rated

I am a new tenant, one of the first at the building. I'm very excited to see the building come into its full form, but it has been a pleasure to be among the newest lessees. The staff are courteous and professional down to a person. Even the apartment gym is unreasonably outstanding. Marcus and Ade have been so helpful during the transition, and I am grateful to have them as well as the rest of the excellent staff.

Matthew S

Matthew S

Nov 19, 2024

I recently moved into Balsa, and it's been a great experience so far. The leasing office team and concierge members are supportive and welcoming. Especially Ade and Marcus were helpful in that they assisted me with the move-in procedure, and they were always ready to listen and answer any inquiries.

Karsten K

Karsten K

Sep 06, 2024

We’re sharing just 8 of many, sorted highest to lowest. Visit the Google business profile to view all reviews.

Balsa is great for:

Wellness

  • On-site fitness center or gym
  • Ample windows and natural lighting
  • 20 farmers markets or health food stores nearby
  • HVAC systems available onsite

Eco living

  • 219 parks within a mile
  • On-site recycling or composting options
  • Energy efficient appliances
  • You can get around by foot in this area

Work-from-home

  • High speed internet is an amenity
  • Large windows for natural lighting
  • 41 coworking spaces or cafes within 1 mile
  • 24 internet service provider options nearby

Property highlights

We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.

How Balsa compares to other nearby properties.

Positives

Less expensive
The 3-bedrooms are cheaper than other similar listings nearby
Elementary school nearby
There is an elementary school 0.1 mile away
High school nearby
There is a high school 1 mile away
Elevator
Improved accessibility features
Images Available
There are at least 10 photos of this address
Outdoor space
Easy access to the outdoors
Package service
More secure storage for delivery

Property Map

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Rent trends in Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown

Studio apartments at Balsa cost about 6% more than the average rent price for studios in Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown.

1-bedroom apartments here are priced 15% higher than 1-bedrooms in Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown.

If you decide to upgrade your space, you can expect 2-bedrooms at Balsa to be 11% more than the average for similarly sized apartments in Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown.

Median rents as of Aug 29 2026.
Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown
Washington
A table of studio rental data trends in Washington
MonthMedian Rent
September 2024$1,928
October 2024$1,921
November 2024$1,899
December 2024$1,900
January 2025$1,907
February 2025$1,920
March 2025$1,919
April 2025$1,919
May 2025$1,897
June 2025$1,900
July 2025$1,902
August 2025$1,890
September 2025$1,879
October 2025$1,819
November 2025$1,766
December 2025$1,740
January 2026$1,789
February 2026$1,799
March 2026$1,802
April 2026$1,826
May 2026$1,798
June 2026$1,804
July 2026$1,815
August 2026$1,860
A table of studio rental data trends in Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown
MonthMedian Rent
September 2024$2,118
October 2024$2,125
November 2024$2,069
December 2024$2,125
January 2025$2,157
February 2025$2,146
March 2025$2,148
April 2025$2,110
May 2025$2,037
June 2025$2,076
July 2025$2,100
August 2025$2,093
September 2025$1,971
October 2025$1,802
November 2025$1,736
December 2025$1,831
January 2026$1,940
February 2026$1,981
March 2026$1,925
April 2026$2,023
May 2026$2,185
June 2026$2,128
July 2026$2,135
August 2026$2,110

Affordability calculator

Can I afford to live at 1313 L St Nw?

Bedrooms

Rent-to-income ratio

30%

Slide to adjust the percentage of your monthly income you are willing to spend on rent.
The general rule of thumb is to spend around 30% or less of your income on rent.
Recommended income

$89,640/yr

With your selected rent-to-income ratio, you'd ideally want to make $89,640 annually to afford this studio monthly rent price of $2,241.
For more information on rent affordability, visit our rent calculator.

Schools near Balsa

Thomson Elementary School

1200 l st nw

washington, DC, 20005

PK, K-5Public
A-

Thaddeus Stevens Early Learning Center

1050 21st st nw

washington, DC, 20036

PKPublic

Bell Teen Parent Child Development Center

3101 16th st nw

washington, DC, 20010

PKPublic

Dorothy I. Height Elementary School

4300 13th st nw

washington, DC, 20011

PK, K-5Public
B+

School-Within-School @ Goding

810 26th st ne

washington, DC, 20002

PK, K-5Public
A-
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Internet available near Balsa

Neighborhood

Downtown - Penn Quarter - Chinatown | Washington, DC

NEIGHBORHOOD VIBE
Lively and energetic
You’ll be in the heart of the action in this bustling and vibrant area with plenty of shopping, nightlife, and culture.

Getting around Washington near 1313 L St Nw

Walking

10/10
No car? No problem. Everything you need is within a few blocks.

Driving

6/10
This area is accessible to thoroughfares and has ample parking options.

Cycling

8/10
Helmets on–you can get anywhere in this cyclist-friendly, well-connected area.

Transit

10/10
Getting around is a breeze; rapid transit and bus lines are a few blocks away.

Points of interest for 1313 L St Nw, Washington

Groceries

9/10
Exceptional variety of groceries within a few minutes' walk

Shopping

9/10
Exceptional variety of shops within a few minutes’ walk

Cafes

10/10
Exceptional variety of cafés within a few minutes’ walk

Restaurants

10/10
Exceptional variety of restaurants within a few minutes’ walk

Primary schools

10/10
At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk

High schools

8/10
At least one high school within a 15-minute walk

Parks

10/10
Exceptionally large amount of park space within a few minutes’ walk

Nightlife

10/10
Exceptional variety of bars right within a few minutes’ walk

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