Mid-century modern and contemporary architecture has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, and the trend seems to be continuing unabated. The period of construction for these iconic dwellings began after the end of World War II and continued until the early 1970s. Styles morphed during that period, not only as time progressed but also depending on the geographic region. After all, modern architecture has often embraced its surroundings.
While mid-century modernism has often been associated with the west coast and southwest in this country, the Washington Metro area has its own rich history with the genre. There are numerous neighborhoods and subdivisions throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and even D.C. itself that are lasting testimony to a design movement that took its own cue from famous early modernists such as Frank Lloyd Wright. But while Wright and his disciples usually concentrated on single structures, the mid-century philosophy was geared more toward making modern and contemporary homes affordable to the masses, hence the larger swaths of these intriguing abodes.
For our September spotlight, we have singled out four examples from our curated Compass collection.
Located at 5359 MacArthur Blvd, NW in DC’s Kent neighborhood, this restored three-level home was designed in 1969 by the team of Eason Cross & Harry Adreon. Cross studied under Bauhaus founder Walter Groupius, and later spent seven years working under noted architect Charles Goodman. This particular showcase features floor-to-ceiling windows, cantilevered decks and the quintessential mid-century touch, a carport! Part of Cross & Adreon’s Timberland subdivision, the 3,115 square foot house has four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and is listed at $2,149,000. Inside, you’ll find gleaming wide-plank floors, wide-open living spaces and a modern gourmet kitchen. The tri-story is emblematic of the latter stage of the mid-century modern movement, as architects and builders began working with larger and taller concepts.
This stunning glass and wood-clad two-story home at 6309 Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda was initially constructed in 1954 as a more modest mid-century ranch house. But in 2012, architect and new owner Sassan Gharai redesigned the property for his wife Anne O’Donoghue. Is this truly a mid-century modern home in the purist sense? Perhaps not, as its appearance has changed greatly since then. But the remade property still embodies its modernist principles, and is a delight to look at with its exterior combination of cedar siding and two shades of gray stucco and tile. The 5,400 square foot house with five bedrooms and 4.5 baths sits on an acre of land and is priced at $2,750,000. Marble floors, an open gourmet kitchen, incredibly stylish bathrooms and a backyard swimming point are among the features.
Currently in “active under contract” status is a two-story cubist home in Alexandria’s Hollin Hills neighborhood. Located at 2212 White Oaks Drive, the three-bedroom, 2.5-bath hillside dwelling has 3,355 square feet of living space and is priced at $1,150,000. The current market status means that the present offer comes with contingencies, allowing for backup bids. Designed by legendary architect Charles Goodman, this flat-roofed modern home embodies the cutting edge modernist principles of the era, with massive window walls, open space layouts and elongated decks overlooking natural splendor. There’s tons of upgrades throughout, including an open gourmet Pedini kitchen. Hollin Hills is perhaps the best known of all the mid-century modern neighborhoods in Washington Metro, with approximately 450 homes built over a decade period. Goodman was the chief architect for the project.
We’re closing out our September spotlight with a most unusual townhome in Washington, DC’s Southwest Waterfront. Designed by the aforementioned Goodman, 1304 4th Street is part of River Park Mutual Homes, a cooperative neighborhood built in 1962 on 11 acres of land near the Washington Channel. The barrel-shaped aluminum roofs and decorative concrete latticework give these townhouses a highly distinctive appearance. The four-bedroom co-op with two baths and 1,750 square feet of interior space was listed at just $650,000 before recently going into pending status. The upper level bedrooms comport to the unusual barrel roofs. A finished basement, elongated balcony and private patio add to the quirky appeal of this atomic age dwelling, just blocks from The Wharf with its top restaurants and waterfront attractions.
To learn more about mid-century modern and contemporary homes for sale in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland, call Andre Perez at District Partners at Compass, 202-798-3600.
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