Georgetown’s brick sidewalks and stately Federal and Victorian homes entice visitors from around the globe who admire these architectural gems while strolling to the neighborhood’s antiques stores, art galleries, bookstores, boutiques and restaurants.
Many wonder what secrets these historic homes hide inside, imagining a world of elaborate moldings and mantels, sparkling chandeliers, wood-burning fireplaces and perhaps a hidden garden where the sophisticated residents can sip champagne on balmy Washington nights.
These imagined amenities are part of the real charms found in the Victorian-style brick home at 3020 Dumbarton Ave. NW, now on the market for $2,350,000. This home was built in 1885 and has been restored and renovated with a few modern touches that meet today’s high standards yet keep the old-fashioned ambience in place.
This three-story home has a front garden that adds a touch of privacy. The first set of stone steps leads to a flagstone patio, a delightful spot for watching the world go by. A second set of wrought-iron steps leads to the double front door, which opens into a vestibule with tile flooring. A fan window above the front door brings light into the vestibule, while a transom above a second set of doors gives more light in the main hall.
Restored original hardwood flooring covers the main and second levels, complemented by detailed moldings and some original hardware. Each of the home’s five wood-burning fireplaces has a unique wood mantel.
The formal living room, which faces the street, has a box bay with four elegantly arched windows, crown and dentil moldings and a fireplace with hand-painted tiles, marble and wood mantel. French doors connect the living room with the library, a charming room with a fireplace, crown moldings and two large windows that flank the fireplace. Custom-designed built-in bookcases and cabinets add warmth to this cozy room.
Just beyond the library is the kitchen, which was remodeled in 2002. The original brick fireplace in the kitchen, which was used for cooking in previous generations, now holds a stainless steel Viking gas range. Other stainless steel appliances include a Bosch dishwasher and refrigerator with a freezer drawer. The kitchen has glass-front cherry cabinets, a double sink, recessed lighting, granite counters, a tile backsplash and, under one of the room’s two large windows, a breakfast bar.
At the back of the house is the formal dining room, also with a fireplace, detailed moldings and tall windows that frame views of the garden. Entertaining casually or formally in this room can be accomplished with panache in any season, with the coziness of a fire in the fall and winter or the doors and windows opened to the garden in spring and summer. Glass doors on either side of the room lead to the garden.
The blue-stone patio, surrounded by brick walls, mature trees and flower beds, provides a private setting for gardening and entertaining, or just enjoying a moment of quite in a busy city.
Besides the doors to the garden and the kitchen, the dining room has a door to the main hallway, which has a powder room, track lighting and high ceilings.
The first of the two upper levels has three bedrooms and two full baths. The master suite, at the back of the house, has an arched entrance, hardwood flooring, a fireplace and four windows facing east and west. A second archway links the bedroom with the master bath, which has been remodeled yet keeps the classic Georgetown style. The bathroom has an elegant claw-foot tub, a glass-enclosed shower, a double-sink vanity, multiple windows and a large skylight. A walk-in closet and storage closet are adjacent to the bathroom.
The second bedroom has two deep windows and a large closet. The third bedroom, which faces the street, has a box bay window, a fireplace flanked by bookcases and a storage closet. This room has a private door to the second full bath, which is also accessible from the hall. These two bedrooms and the bath have transoms over the doors. A deep storage closet is next to the bathroom.
The finished attic level can be used as a fourth bedroom, a studio, an office or a playroom. This level has two windows and two large skylights, built-in bookcases, wall-to-wall carpeting, track lighting and two storage closets.
The unfinished basement has additional storage space and a laundry room.
Residents of this charming restored home may be tempted to enjoy the garden in summer and fireplaces in winter, but the location may also draw them out to enjoy their city neighborhood. In addition to the variety of shops and restaurants in Georgetown, Rose Park is nearby, offering tennis courts and play equipment. Rock Creek Park is also easily accessible, along with the West End and Dupont Circle neighborhoods.
Address: 3020 Dumbarton Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Community: Georgetown
Age: Built in 1885
Price: $2,350,000
Size: 4,140 square feet on lot of 2,700 square feet
Taxes: $15,396 in 2007
Homeowner association fee: None
Exterior features: Victorian-style all-brick single-family home with front garden and flagstone patio, wrought-iron steps and metal and slate roof.
Interior features: Four bedrooms; 2½ baths; double doors lead into vestibule with transom; wide entry hall with restored hardwood flooring; formal living room with box bay window and fireplace; library with fireplace; renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, exposed brick wall and granite counters; formal dining room with two glass doors to side and rear yard, chandelier and fireplace; master suite with windows on two sides, walk-in closet and renovated bath; second bedroom with fireplace, bookcases and box bay window overlooking the street; second full bath; third bedroom with door into second bedroom; finished attic-level fourth bedroom or home office with skylights, bookshelves, two storage closets; unfinished lower level with storage and laundry room.
Amenities: Enclosed rear garden with brick walls, garden beds, mature trees and blue-stone patio; custom bookshelves, skylights, chandeliers, five fireplaces, restored hardwood flooring, crown moldings.
Close by: Walk to shops and restaurants of Georgetown, Metro at Dupont Circle or Foggy Bottom; easy access to Kennedy Center, downtown Washington.
Open house: By appointment
Contact: Jamie Peva with Washington Fine Properties at 202/258-5050.
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