Anacostia, one of Washington DC's earliest neighborhoods, is an area that enjoys both a rich history and a bright future.

By the mid-1800s, the town had emerged as an affordable option for DC's working class. In the late 1860s, the US Bureau of Refugees purchased Barry Farm.

This nearly 400-acre parcel was set aside for freed black slaves after the Civil War. Over the next 150 years, the small riverfront community grew into a bustling community that housed a bounty of successful small businesses.

The area began to trend downward as the '60s moved into the '70s and a neighborhood that had once been called home by the working and lower middle classes lost many of its larger household incomes to the suburbs.

Now, Anacostia has begun to climb back. While it may not be as far along as some of the other pockets of DC, a recent push to develop the community is already driving residential prices and attracting major retailers.

In the neighborhood's future sit several aggressive development projects that will bring in excess of 1M SF of commercial space to the community within the coming years. The construction will also yield a significant infusion of residential homes and a remodeled playhouse.

Join Bisnow as we take a closer look at this revitalizing DC community.