Rock Creek Woods, MD Homes for Sale
Rock Creek Woods is a mid-century modern neighborhood located just north of Kensington, in Maryland’s Montgomery County. There are around 76 two-story homes here, built from 1958 to 1961 by the Blumberg brothers (Herschel and Marvin). The architect was Charles M. Goodman, one of the most inventive and prolific of his era.
Named for its location, this woodsy subdivision lies in a valley between two small streams that are tributaries of Rock Creek. There are three streets with cul-de-sacs west of Connecticut Avenue within the 28-acre neighborhood. To the west is the Rock Creek greenbelt.
Mid-Century Modern Homes for Sale in Rock Creek Woods
These delightful residences are larger than many of their mid-century contemporaries, offering between three to five bedrooms and developed as upscale suburban residences of the era. The homes were individually sited among a large number of Yoshino cherry trees. Over the years, some of the trees have been replaced due to age. There are more than 100 of the trees throughout the community, lending a lovely aura of cherry blossoms during the spring.
Mid-Century Modern Home Styles in Rock Creek Woods
Goodman’s homes in Rock Creek Woods came in four models with additional variations. His signature touches are present, including grids of windows interspersed with large wood panels, some of which were painted primary colors and others which had natural finishes. The massive chimney walls are typical of the genre. Wide eaves, floating staircases, colored doors and patios are some of the other attributes. The two-story windows provide dramatic effect from inside. And while these luxury homes for sale are most often described as two-story, there was one model with three stories.
When developed, Rock Creek Woods was considered part of Kensington. However, after the extension of Connecticut Avenue, the zip code was changed to reflect Silver Spring, Maryland. In addition to cherry trees, there are also beech, hickory, oak, pine, dogwood and others. Lush landscaping throughout the community contributes to the natural splendor.
The neighborhood became a nationally recognized Historic District in 2004. The Good Shepherd Church, which is inside the community on Spruell Street, also houses the Rock Creek Montessori School. In addition to all the greenery and hiking trails in the community, there are also multiple local parks. These include the Connecticut Avenue Neighborhood Park to the east and Randolph Hills Local Park and Veirs Mill Park to the west. The latter two are part of the Rock Creek greenbelt.
Charles Goodman, a Mid-Century Modern Architect
Goodman is widely regarded as the most influential and prolific of the Washington, DC area architects during what would later become known as the mid-century modern era. Trained at the Illinois Institute of Technology, he moved to DC in 1934 and became a chief designer and planner for numerous government entities, including the Public Buildings Administration, the Treasury Department and the Army Air Forces Airport Transport Command. During this formative period he established design elements that he would carry forward, including linearism and the use of grid-like patterns. Goodman also learned about cost-saving methods which he would later put to good use with residential subdivisions.
Hollin Hills in the southern part of Alexandria established Goodman as a leading force in east coast modernism. The Hybla Valley subdivision was developed by Robert Davenport, with 450 single-family homes built over a lengthy timeline, from 1949 to 1970. Goodman’s design work was finished by 1961 but his influence carried forward. The houses typically have either flat or butterfly roofs, with massive window walls that were the result of prefabricated modules.
In addition to Rock Creek Woods, Goodman worked on several other Montgomery County projects. These include 58 contemporary homes built between 1949 and 1951 in Hammond Wood in the Silver Spring area, with an additional 20 at adjacent Hammond Hill. He also delivered 15 in the Takoma Avenue Historic District around the same time.
Goodman designed a number of multi-family complexes as well, including the River Park Mutual Homes cooperative in the Southwest Waterfront with 518 units including 130 townhouses, 90 townhouses in Reston’s Hickory Cluster, the High Point duplexes in Arlington and the Commons at McLean with brick townhouses and apartments in a 38-acre garden courtyard setting, built in three phases between 1966 and 1973. The architect was also known for his spectacular custom homes, in Montgomery County, Fairfax County and elsewhere.
Living in the Kensington/Silver Spring Area
While Rock Creek Wood has a Silver Spring zip code, it is more commonly thought of as the North Kensington area. To the north is Veirs Mill Village, to the east is Wheaton and to the west is North Bethesda. Downtown Silver Spring is further southeast. All this means that there are plenty of options when it comes to shopping, dining and entertainment.
The tranquil mid-century modern suburb is just off Connecticut Avenue, allowing an easy drive south to a slew of popular stores and restaurants. Bethesda and Chevy Chase are home to even more amenities, including along the popular Wisconsin Avenue Corridor. As for public transportation, the Wheaton Metro Station with Red Line service is nearby.
To learn more about homes for sale in Rock Creek Woods, as well as other mid-century modern neighborhoods, call Andre Perez at District Partners at Compass (202) 798-3600.
