Some houses are renovated into sameness. This one has preserved its point of view. Set above the street in the heart of historic Mount Pleasant, this extraordinary, extra wide (23.5 ft), four-level 1909 brick Victorian is rich with craftsmanship, architectural drama and one-of-a-kind details collected across generations.
Brick steps rise to an open front porch with wrought-iron railings and a striking entry framed by sidelights and leaded glass. Inside, a spacious foyer introduces a magnificent arch leading to an original staircase, beautifully preserved woodwork and hardwood floors. French doors open to an elegant parlor with stained glass and a wood-burning fireplace, while pocket doors reveal a grand formal dining room wrapped in wood paneling and finished with a coffered ceiling and accent lighting. The dining room leads to the kitchen through an area featuring a pantry-sized closet, laundry area and a powder room with wainscoting and marble flooring.
The kitchen is an experience of its own, with marble flooring and countertops, abundant custom cabinetry, a tin-tiled ceiling, fireplace mantel and distinctive retro-style gas range. A glass-walled dining area overlooks the garden and opens to a newly reconstructed deck, with steps descending to a paver patio enclosed by a wood privacy fence. Beyond the rear gate, the alley leads to one half of a former carriage house, now configured as a private one-car garage with lofty ceilings, an automatic door and additional secured storage which is include with the property.
The sculptural staircase continues to a second level unlike any other. A living room spanning the full width of the house features a wall of bookshelves, detailed shadowbox molding and a fireplace with gas-log insert—an exceptional setting for a library, music room or gathering space. The primary suite includes a sitting area, fireplace mantel and an entire wall of closets concealed behind handsome wood paneling. Its remarkable bath, also accessible from the hall, showcases intricate mahogany detailing, marble tile, a walk-in shower, soaking tub, custom vanity and extensive built-in storage. At its center is a salvaged mantel from a historic Boston mansion, giving the room a provenance all its own.
The top floor continues the story. One bedroom leads through a French door to a private covered porch finished with beadboard, ceiling fan and slate tile backdrop. Down the hall, a sitting room with exposed brick leads to another dramatic bedroom with soaring (13 ft) ceilings, accent lighting, French doors and a Juliet balcony. The hall bath is a work of art, with detailed leaded-glass windows, crushed-marble tile, elaborate custom cabinetry and a clawfoot tub set within a columned marble surround reminiscent of a Roman bath.
The spacious lower-level apartment has separately metered electricity and private front and rear entrances. Its flexible layout includes an entry foyer, living room, oversized bedroom, full bath, washer and dryer, dining area, complete kitchen and direct access to a covered patio beneath the deck.
The location is every bit as compelling as the house. Less than a block from the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market and the neighborhood’s lively commercial corridor, the home places coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, independent businesses and everyday shopping just outside the door. Mount Pleasant is prized for its historic architecture, tree-lined streets and genuine neighborhood atmosphere, all while remaining remarkably connected to the rest of the city. The trails and green spaces of Rock Creek Park, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Lamont Park and the 16th Street corridor are all nearby, with convenient access to downtown and destinations throughout Northwest DC. Columbia Heights Metro is also within walking distance. Historic, expressive and entirely individual, this is a house—and a setting—with a personality that could never be replicated.
