Dupont Circle is a perennially popular neighborhood, thanks to its central location, a wide range of housing options, and an inclusive and welcoming community. In the late 1870s, when Washington, D.C., began to rise out of its marshy and rural beginnings, Dupont Circle quickly became established as the place to be, with blocks of elegant Victorian rowhouses and Gilded Age mansions. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dupont Circle was also home to some of the city’s earliest apartment buildings, with luxury high-rises aimed at transient members of Congress who needed small, part-time residences. Today, many of the grand mansions are part of Embassy Row — home to more than 175 embassies — while many of the Victorians have been subdivided into condo units. Dupont Circle is a successful example of mixed-use development, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and cultural venues located within easy walking distance.