Washington DC, Modern & Contemporary Detached Homes For Sale

The terms modern and contemporary homes are often used synonymously, although there are distinctions. Modern architecture most commonly refers back to the modernism movement that came into being during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as a reaction to the industrial age. Think, for instance, of simple shapes and cubism. Contemporary simply means that which is current. Contemporary design is also often thought of as a trend that gained popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.

Contemporary Homes for Sale in the Washington Metropolitan Area

Click the links below to sort results by price range.

Sort by:
7020 Green Oak Dr, MCLEAN

$50,000,000

7020 Green Oak Dr, MCLEAN

6 Beds 12 Baths 30,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2113294

PARKVIEW HILLS

1175 Crest Ln, MCLEAN

$21,000,000

1175 Crest Ln, MCLEAN

4 Beds 4 Baths 0 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2028910

LANGLEY OAKS

681 Chain Bridge Rd, MCLEAN

$13,500,000

681 Chain Bridge Rd, MCLEAN

11 Beds 12.5 Baths 18,166 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2113558

NONE AVAILABLE

8801 Fernwood Rd, BETHESDA

$11,500,000

↓ $1,000,000

8801 Fernwood Rd, BETHESDA

6 Beds 9 Baths 15,000 SqFt Residential MLS® # MDMC2071420

BRADLEY HILLS GROVE

3131 Chain Bridge Rd Nw, WASHINGTON

$9,995,000

3131 Chain Bridge Rd Nw, WASHINGTON

6 Beds 8 Baths 12,200 SqFt Residential MLS® # DCDC2090524

KENT

4640 Cathedral Ave Nw, WASHINGTON

$9,750,000

4640 Cathedral Ave Nw, WASHINGTON

6 Beds 8 Baths 8,556 SqFt Residential MLS® # DCDC2091920

WESLEY HEIGHTS

7441 Dulany Dr, MCLEAN

$9,500,000

7441 Dulany Dr, MCLEAN

7 Beds 9 Baths 12,354 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2023418

ELMWOOD ESTATES

620 Rivercrest Dr, MCLEAN

$9,497,000

620 Rivercrest Dr, MCLEAN

6 Beds 5.5 Baths 12,481 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2108756

RIVER OAKS

1122 Litton, MCLEAN

$9,250,000

1122 Litton, MCLEAN

7 Beds 10.5 Baths 11,817 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2052492

DOWNSCREST

1930 Foxview Cir Nw, WASHINGTON

$7,900,000

1930 Foxview Cir Nw, WASHINGTON

6 Beds 8.5 Baths 9,575 SqFt Residential MLS® # DCDC2094504

BERKLEY

1332 Mccay Ln, MCLEAN

$7,350,000

↓ $445,000

1332 Mccay Ln, MCLEAN

6 Beds 8.5 Baths 13,722 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2064718

NONE AVAILABLE

2838 Chesterfield Pl Nw, WASHINGTON

$6,695,000

2838 Chesterfield Pl Nw, WASHINGTON

6 Beds 7 Baths 7,716 SqFt Residential MLS® # DCDC2087148

FOREST HILLS

1138 Basil Rd, MCLEAN

$6,000,000

1138 Basil Rd, MCLEAN

7 Beds 7.5 Baths 10,738 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2112634

DOWNSCREST

5811 Potomac Ave Nw, WASHINGTON

$5,995,000

5811 Potomac Ave Nw, WASHINGTON

5 Beds 6.5 Baths 7,357 SqFt Residential MLS® # DCDC2094812

PALISADES

501 Haven Ln, GREAT FALLS

$5,995,000

501 Haven Ln, GREAT FALLS

5 Beds 6.5 Baths 11,752 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2105436

SQUIRES HAVEN

9113 Redwood Ave, BETHESDA

$5,950,000

9113 Redwood Ave, BETHESDA

6 Beds 6.5 Baths 7,700 SqFt Residential MLS® # MDMC2091434

ARROWOOD

1157 Chain Bridge Rd, MCLEAN

$5,900,000

1157 Chain Bridge Rd, MCLEAN

4 Beds 4.5 Baths 5,014 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2126860

LANGLEY FARMS

6029 Orris St, MCLEAN

$5,495,000

↓ $305,000

6029 Orris St, MCLEAN

4 Beds 4.5 Baths 6,801 SqFt Residential MLS® # VAFX2117730

DOWNSCREST

The Mid-Century Modern era has also become a very hot trend in recent years, generally covering the period from the early 1940s to late 1960s,

That's a lot of information and sometimes it is better just to think visually—modern and contemporary homes evoke a sense of intriguing style, from abstract concepts to clean, sophisticated lines imbued with an innate sense of cool. And yes, there are some striking examples in the Washington metropolitan area.

Think of low-slung homes with overhanging roofs, tucked away in the woodsy park regionKitchen and dining area of Contemporary home typical of Washington, DCs of upscale DC neighborhoods. Or, an entire community in Alexandria, Virginia known as Hollin Hills—an award-winning midcentury modern enclave of 450 homes built by architect Charles Goodman between 1949 and 1971. These relatively modest wooden structures set into natural surroundings have attracted worldwide attention with their cubist modernity and window walls.

Modern and contemporary dwellings in the Metro area can also be multifamily affairs—such as sweeping curvilinear structures like the I.M. Pei-designed Watergate, or new mixed-use structures with hard angles that spring directly out of historic buildings in the recent trend of adaptive reuse principles.

But more than anything, these adventuress designs represent something different in a region so identified by traditional norms. And while they are not your typical designs, some can be associated with an off-shoot of Arts & Crafts architecture known as the Prairie School which is integrally linked with Frank Lloyd Wright. These homes with horizontal lines and overhanging eaves were compared to the wide-open plains and prairie geography.

These days, modern and contemporary homes in the Washington Metro area are enjoying a resurgence, designed by such notable architects as Robert Gurney, David Jameson, Hugh Jacobsen and Alan Dynerman, among many others. Builders of these thoughtfully crafted residences in upscale neighborhoods such as McLean, Virginia and Bethesda, Maryland often share common principles beyond angular aesthetics, employing eco-friendly materials and integrating the structures to their natural surroundings, rather than the traditional lot-leveling norms.

To learn more about modern and contemporary properties, call District Partners at Compass, 202-798-3600.


Can't find what you're looking for in the marketplace?

Perhaps you want to work with us and access our Private Exclusive Listings at Compass.


A Private Exclusive Listing is an off-market home that can be shared by a Compass agent directly with their colleagues and their buyers. Property details aren't disseminated widely and won't appear on public home search websites. Privacy is the Ultimate Commodity.

Request Access Now