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Famed Architect Charles M. Goodman & Wheaton, MD

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Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

Rock Creek Woods

Charles M. Goodman (1906-1992) was an American architect who made a name with his mid-century modern/contemporary designs in suburban Washington, D.C. after World War II including homes in Wheaton.

Goodman designed the original National Airport outside of Washington, D.C.  After attending the Illinois Institute of Technology, Goodman came to D.C. in 1934 to work as the designing architect in the Public Buildings Administration.  He later served as head architect at the Treasury Department and the Air Transport Command.  After World War II he worked closely with Robert C. Davenport designing and site planning most of the Hollin Hills neighborhood in Alexandria, VA where his firm, Charles M. Goodman Associates designed over 14 models of houses.

Other projects included the 1964 Unitarian Church in Arlington, VA, his own residence, Goodman House, in 1954 on Quaker Lane in Alexandria.  In Reston, he designed a cluster of townhouses in the woods above Lake Anne known as Hickory Cluster.  He also did designs in Washington, D.C. at the Southwest Waterfront and just north of Fort McNair.

Goodman was famous for his contemporary designs, orienting homes at angles to the street instead of head-on, generous use of glass and limited removal of trees to maintain the wooded affect.

In Maryland, Goodman designed homes in Takoma Park and the Wheaton area of Silver Spring.

His 1951 development in Takoma Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, as the Takoma Avenue Historic District.

Goodman developed two neighborhoods in Wheaton.

Hammond Wood Historic DistrictHis 1949-51 development off of Viers Mill Road known as Hammond Woods was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, as the Hammond Wood Historic District.

 

His 1958-61 development off Connecticut Avenue known as Rock Creek Woods was listed on the National Register of Historic places and is known as the Rock Creek Woods Historic District.

 

These homes don't resell often, but there has been a resurgence of interest since the late 90's that has made them rather sought after homes.  Most real estate agents that know about them will always state in their remarks about the home that it is a "Goodman Contemporary".

Comments(5)

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Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

You forgot Hollin Hills in Alexandria in the Mt. Vernon area.  I sold one about 4 years ago.  The hot thing in one of these homes is getting some original "mid-century modern" furniture with the house.

I knew Charles "Chuck" Goodman back in the 1970s.  We had the same attorney.

Lovely gentleman. 

Jan 28, 2010 04:23 AM
Tom Brannigan
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Wheaton, MD

Hi Lynn,

Hollin Hills is mentioned where he designed homes with Robert Davenport.  I've seen some photos with mid-century furniture, you're right, it adds character.  I almost bought one of the townhouses in Reston back in the early 80s. I do love the homes he did around here.

In some articles I've read about Goodman, he seems to have been quite a character himself. 

Jan 28, 2010 07:45 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Indeed he was.  Indeed he was.

 

Jan 28, 2010 08:27 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

There are 10-15 Goodman houses that were built in Hillandale.  Off of Schindler drive (very end of Schindler Dr at Northwest Branch Park)  They are on larger than average lots and are very COOL! They blend in well with other houses in that area of Hillandale with many very contemporary houses.  I love to see the homes that have not had many changes or lots of remodeling done to them.  I think they're great with all the original mid century modern characteristics still intact. 

Jan 28, 2011 06:41 AM
Tom Brannigan
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Wheaton, MD

Joe, I have seen a handful of Goldman's not far off Arcola.

Debbie,  I didn't know about these off Schindler. I will have to drive over and see them. Thanks for letting me know.

Jan 31, 2011 01:53 AM