The enclave of homes in Foxhall Crescent off Foxhall Road in the Berkley neighborhood of Northwest Washington exudes an atmosphere of wealth and sophistication. Privately located on cul-de-sacs, these residences have been designed for entertaining and upscale living.
While many homes in the neighborhood have been updated and renovated since they were built in 1984, the residence at 4620 Foxhall Crescent was gutted in 2002 and remodeled over a two-year period into an entertainer’s dream home, complete with a heated outdoor swimming pool, a spalike cabana room, a home theater, three bars and “smart home” technology that can be remotely controlled.
Now on the market for $1,995,000, this perfectly polished home carefully blends superior technology, contemporary features and elegant design. With nearly 5,000 square feet of living space on three levels, this home has been reconfigured to maximize the ease of entertaining.
From the moment guests are welcomed in the two-story foyer, they will be awed by the marble flooring and the sleek, highly polished stainless steel staircase that curves and sweeps up to the second level.
Just inside the front door is one of this home’s many high-tech panels, where, at the touch of a button, the lighting can be shifted to entertainment mode and can be adjusted to highlight artwork, lead the way into the living areas and brighten the kitchen. Lighting designer Kurt Versen developed an unusual mix of track, recessed and cove lighting, including a softly changing cove light above the front door that sets the mood for parties.
Touch-screen panels throughout the home provide access to the entertainment systems, temperature controls and security system. Three-zone heating and air conditioning systems are linked with an air-filtration system and two tankless hot-water systems, so the home is consistently comfortable and energy-efficient.
Multiple phone lines and a whole-house audio-visual system add function. Five flat-screen televisions convey with the home.
High-tech features extend into the back yard, where Town and Country Pool built a custom swimming pool with an automatic pool fill and level feature and three custom waterfalls with backlighting for nighttime drama. The bottom is painted for a lagoon effect. The pool has gas heating, an advanced water filtration system, an in-ground cleaning system and an electric cover.
Brick retaining walls that match the home enclose the swimming pool and landscaped garden, which has a zoned sprinkler system. The back yard functions as a private entertainment zone, with a dining area a few steps above the pool, a sunny pool deck and a seating area that rests in the shade during the summer months.
Just inside the lower level is the cabana/exercise room, which, like the rest of the lower level, has Eco rubber flooring that is water resistant yet attractive enough for use in the more formal areas.
The cabana includes a wall of traditional lockers for guest use, two dressing rooms with curtains and mirrors, a steam shower, a double-sink vanity with plenty of space for storing extra towels and bath products and a separate room for the commode. This space could easily function as an exercise room for buyers who want to add equipment to the open space.
The lower level also includes a family room with a dining area in front of floor-to-ceiling windows and a set of French doors leading to the back yard.
At one end of the family room is a wood-burning fireplace with a home theater above. A double-door closet on the lower level encloses an elaborate entertainment setup with home-theater and stereo equipment that conveys with the home.
Residents can add to the system or simplify it with ease. Nearby is a wet bar designed for caterer or personal use, with granite counters, stainless steel cabinets, an ice maker and a large refrigerator. The bar and adjacent closets have plenty of space for storing glassware and other items needed for entertaining.
Just behind the bar is an almost hidden bedroom or home office with a deep double-door closet. This spacious room, a step-down from the bar and entertaining areas, can adapt to multiple functions. The lower level also has a laundry room with two Miele washers and two Miele dryers, along with a commercial laundry sink and a wall of stainless steel cabinets with granite counters. Several storage and utility closets complete this level.
While the lower level functions for pool parties and casual gatherings, along with as a staging area for catered affairs, the upper level also includes features designed for entertaining. Two coat closets have been located just off the foyer, each designed to hold the maximum amount of jackets during a party.
The entire back of the home has been opened into one large room that spans nearly 50 feet, with unusual tray ceilings with cove lighting used to differentiate between areas. A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows across the back of the house frames a view of the landscaped garden beds, trees and the swimming pool and fountains.
At one end of the room is the living area, which has a wood-burning fireplace with a marble hearth and surround. In the center is a second sitting area with a contemporary-style beamed tray ceiling. Adjacent to this sitting area is a mirrored bar with a wine refrigerator, custom wood cabinets, black granite counters and an ice maker.
The bar includes extensive space for glassware and bar accessories.
Another bar is adjacent to the dining area, which has a tray ceiling to match the central sitting area.
Adjacent to the dining area is the kitchen, a sleek and sophisticated room with stainless steel cabinets, appliances and counters. A stainless steel shutter door slides down over the microwave and other small appliances to enhance the high tech look of the room. Designed to accommodate entertaining a large crowd, the kitchen has two Sub-Zero refrigerators, two Miele dishwashers, a gas cooktop with a steam cooker and double wall ovens. The custom drawers and cabinets maximize the space.
The main level also includes a powder room with a dramatic contemporary wood pedestal sink.
Upstairs, the bedrooms have been enhanced with custom lighting and custom closets. Double doors open off the landing into the master suite, which overlooks the swimming pool and has a skylight over the seating area. The master suite walk-in closet includes extensive custom drawers and cabinets. An adjacent dressing area includes a floor-to-ceiling triple mirror.
The spalike master bath includes a deep tub, a large glass-door shower with two shower heads and a wall of custom drawers and cabinets. Two contemporary-style sinks add to the pizazz of the home, which also has a central wood table currently holding additional towels, a floral arrangement and an array of magazines to emphasize the spa atmosphere.
The second and third bedrooms each have custom lighting and closets, and each has a private full bath. The entire upper level has hardwood flooring, which has been refinished and stained black to emphasize the contemporary look of the home.
Sophisticated buyers looking for some contemporary flair and high-tech features will be attracted to this home, but buyers with more traditional tastes may also find the ease of entertaining and the quality of the design of this home to their liking.
Address: 4620 Foxhall Crescent NW, Washington, DC 20007
Community: Berkley
Age: Built in 1984, renovated in 2002-2003
Price: $1,995,000
Size: About 5,000 finished square feet on lot of 7,560 square feet
Taxes: $14,180 in 2007
Homeowner association fee: $1,600 annually
Exterior features: All brick single-family home with two-car garage in private cul-de-sac community, private back yard with dining area, shaded seating area and swimming pool, professionally landscaped; zoned sprinkler system.
Interior features: Four bedrooms; 4½ baths; marble flooring and custom polished stainless steel staircase in foyer; stainless steel kitchen counters and cabinets, two refrigerators, two dishwashers, double ovens, gas cooktop and steamer and microwave; dining room, sitting area and living area with a wood-burning fireplace, plus two wet bars with wine refrigerators; master suite with skylight, dressing room, walk-in closet and spa-like bath; two upper-level bedrooms with private full baths; finished lower-level exercise room/cabana with steam shower, lockers, dressing rooms, full bath with walkout to pool; lower-level family room with dining area, home theater, wet bar and wood-burning fireplace; lower-level home office or guest bedroom; laundry room with two washers and two dryers.
Amenities: Heated swimming pool with fountains, lighting and electric cover; smart house wiring; flat-screen televisions and home theater systems convey; three-zone heating and air conditioning with filtration system; security system; stereo system; central vacuum
Close by: Georgetown, MacArthur Boulevard shops and restaurants, downtown Washington
Open house: By appointment
Contact: Associate broker Paul Sliwka of Coldwell Banker Resident Brokerage in Georgetown at 703/505-2222.
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