New Georgian residence at home in historic neighborhood

Constructed by well-known builder Jim Gibson, the six-bedroom Georgian-style house is one of a string of estates near American University in Northwest Washington’s Spring Valley neighborhood. It is on the market for $7.95 million.

This affluent neighborhood was home to several presidents before they took over the White House. It is bordered by American University Park, Nebraska Avenue, Loughboro Road, Massachusetts Avenue and Dalecarlia Parkway.

There are four levels of living space, connected by two staircases and an elevator. The main level features a formal dining and living rooms, a more casual family room and an eat-in kitchen. There also is the first level of a two-story library, replete with built-in shelves.

“When you walk through the front door, it just speaks to you,” the current owner said of the home. 

Light pours through windows that look out on the lovely, nearly-one-acre grounds. The back features a swimming pool and a hot tub with a cascading waterfall. There are two reflecting ponds, brick pathways through wooded grounds, a Japanese-style stone and water garden, as well as terrace space and a flat lawn.

“The grounds around the house are beautifully landscaped,” the owner said. “You feel as though you could be living in the middle of a national park. It is truly a magical setting. The cascading water over the ponds provides the most restful sounds. The reflecting pond and the Koi pond add to the feeling of not being in a city, yet you are just 15 minutes from the White House.”

The master suite and additional bedrooms are located on the second floor and the third floor has two bedroom suites as well. All bedrooms have private baths.

But the real fun is to be had on the lower level, an oasis of entertainment from which the next owner might never emerge. A family room with one of the home’s six wood-burning fireplaces features a TV that automatically ascends into a hidden cabinet with the touch of a button. There’s an exercise room and staff quarters with a kitchenette and an enthralling three-tiered, 12-seat movie theater.

The entire home is wired for surround sound and features high ceilings throughout, as well as well-considered details such as a 14-car circular driveway, generator and five-zone HVAC system.

“Washington homes are generally built in the ’20s or ’30s,” said Chuck Holzwarth, the listing agent with Washington Fine Properties. “Here you get a more modern floor plan and layout.”

Despite its grandeur, the home has a warmness and feeling of livability to it, and it fits seamlessly into the Spring Valley landscape. While the neighbors might be senators, diplomats or ambassadors, the area also is home to families and students who mingle at the restaurants, grocery store and events at AU.

“It’s a wonderful residential, treed neighborhood surrounded by park land,” said Chuck Holzwarth, who lives in adjacent Wesley Heights. Holzwarth and Kerry Byers, both with Washington Fine Properties, are agents for the property.

“There are a ton of schools, yet it’s only 10 minutes from downtown. Washington is so unique in that it’s the only major city where you can live in these great residential neighborhoods without being in the suburbs.”