On Christmas Day we ventured into the city to see the national Christmas tree. While the crowds were squeezing in to get a good shot in front of the White House, this REALTOR® was much more interested in the block of historic mid-19th century rowhomes on Jackson Place, right across the street.
No. 708 is my favorite. The Trowbridge House was built as a residence for William P. Trowbridge, a mechanical engineer, military officer, and naturalist in 1859. Among its stand-out features are a stunning bracketed cornice, a slate mansard roof (in fact, an add-on 30 years later to go with the times), the gorgeous front door with its sandstone surround, and - just like its neighbors on the block - a characteristic three-bay design. No. 708 was used as a government office building for decades until it was combined with the Blair House, the presidential guesthouse, and now serves as a home away from home for visiting former presidents.
The entire block is a stunner of four-story, red brick or sandstone, traditional rowhomes, rescued, in fact, by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy when it was slated for demolition in the early 1960s to make room for a modern federal office complex. It's impossible to imagine Lafayette Square without these historic gems... their richness and splendor are what infuse this area with much sophisticated charm.
One cannot claim the same about the J. Edgar Hoover building on Penn Ave that was constructed during the 1960s/70s. I wonder if Lafayette Square would be flanked by such a mid-century, concrete fortress had it not been for the First Lady?
*U.S. General Services Administration
*Wikipedia The Trowbridge House
♥ It's always been the vintage, the old house charm, and the original details that I adore the most, that draw me in, make my [REALTOR®] heart flutter, and prompt me to pause, to listen, and then to retell their stories. I specialize in finding and marketing charming homes that are unique and rich in character, history, or both. I believe in preservation, second chances, saving the pink bathrooms, and front porch living. In this series, I highlight charming homes that I am listing to find just the right buyer for or that I am admiring with my special clients; or that have simply caught my eye while exploring the [historic] communities of Maryland and [far] beyond. Adore charming homes as much as I do? Then I'd love it if you'd follow me on Instagram, @onceuponahaus is where I grow my curated collection. ♥
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