WASHINGTON -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has bought a condo in the bustling U Street corridor in the nation's capital.
According to the Washington Business Journal:
The justice paid $660,000 June 19 for a two-bedroom condominium in the neighborhood, according to D.C. property tax records. Sotomayor paid about $136,000 more than the unit’s current property tax assessment, but the condo does qualify for a $67,500 homestead credit.
Over the past decade, the U Street and 14th Street corridors have undergone tremendous development, making the area among the top dining and nightlife destinations in the nation's capital. The area is home to historic cultural institutions like the Howard Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, Ben's Chili Bowl, Bohemian Caverns, Black Cat and 9:30 Club.
Because of security concerns from the Supreme Court about identifying the justice's residence, the Washington Business Journal did not say where exactly Sotomayor's condo is located.
DCist double-checked to make sure Sotomayor was properly taking advantage of the D.C. homestead credit:
That exemption—$67,500 off of the assessed value of the home—is only supposed to be used by residents, not out-of-towners who merely buy here but maintain their primary residence elsewhere. A number of congressmen have been caught over the years trying to exploit the property tax break; 22 senators, members of the House and even Karl Rove improperly benefited from the exemption over the years. Sotomayor, though, is on the right side of the law—she registered to vote in D.C. in 2010, and is thus legally entitled to the exemption.
Sotomayor is the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice and the third woman to serve on the high court. When Sotomayor moved to D.C. following her confirmation to the high court by the U.S. Senate, she was spotted shopping at the Trader Joe's grocery store on 25th Street NW in the West End.
Now, you can expect Sotomayor grocery sightings at the Logan Circle Whole Foods or the YES! Organic Market on 14th Street NW. Or who knows ... maybe even Ben's.
