September 2019

Photo: hedra.baltica

It may be one of the most unusual sounding names in the DC area, but it turns out Tunlaw Road is much more simplistic than it first appears. In all actuality, Tunlaw Road is a palindrome of sorts that can be traced back nearly a century and a half.

The road gains its name from an old Washington farm and estate once referred to as Tunlaw Farm. Now commonly called Wesley Heights, the suburban estate stood near Klingle and 45th.

Its owner was said to throw some of the area’s most lavish parties, often entertaining the likes of top members of Washington society. The estate sat on property belonging to the man’s father-in-law, also an extremely influential and wealthy man.

The nearly 150-acres of land was, as legend states,

More and more people are starting to discover what locals have known about Arlington for years. Not only is Arlington a great place to live, but the Bluemont neighborhood is now ranked at the very top of a national list.

Niche.com, a well-known ranking website, recently came out with its list of the “2019 Best Places to Live in America”. Perhaps not surprisingly, Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood took the number one spot.

Bluemont received an Overall Niche Grade of an “A+”, with a notable “A+” grade for its public schools, its nightlife and for being good for families. The neighborhood received a solid “A” for housing, outdoor activities and the commute, plus a “B+” for jobs and diversity.

According to Niche, Bluemont neighbors enjoy more of

You’ll find a full range of architectural styles in the DC area, from pre-World War II to contemporary, new construction designs. If you’re in the market for mid-century modern, though, you’ll still find plenty of options if you know where to look.

Often these homes are distinguished by large windows and sliding glass doors, sleek lines and an open design. A great place to begin your search is in Southwest Waterfront neighborhood of Washington, DC. There are also, of course, several neighborhoods in the greater DC area that provide even more options for buyers.

In particular, some buyers find just the right homes exist in such locations as Forest Hills, Bethesda and McLean. The wooded lots often work nicely for mid-century designs, which use

You’ve probably heard of them, but have you ever wondered how some of DC’s neighborhoods got their names? From tropical islands to smog, it seems DC neighborhoods all have a story of their own.

Pleasant Plains

Sure, it brings to mind a “pleasant” place to live, and that may be exactly what led to the name Pleasant Plains in the first place. Back in the 1700s it’s said that a farmer bought up a large amount of undeveloped land where the neighborhood now sits. His family named part of their estate Pleasant Plains, which it remains to this day.

Kalorama

Kalorama may sound unusual to some, but that’s because it’s Greek. Kalorama actually means beautiful view in Greek. A poet in the early 1800s coined the name for the house he lived in because

Photo: Rich Renomeron

While courtyards and nearby parks may first come to mind when you think of DC’s green space, some of its condo buildings are trending “green” in an entirely new way. A number of buildings are going green literally from the top down.

Last year, in fact, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities announced that DC had more green roofs installed the previous year, at least in terms of square footage, than anywhere else. In 2017 the District counted more than one-million square feet of green rooftops.

In total, other figures suggest DC already counts more than three-million square feet of green roofs. To gain “green roof status” a building would have to have a permanent green area on either the building’s roof or on a mid-building ledge or

If you’re hoping to find a luxury unit in DC with the added bonus of easy access to vibrant nightlife, you cannot go wrong with any one of these top U Street Corridor addresses.

The Beauregard

The elegant condos of The Beauregard bring loft-like features to the area. New buyers can expect to find such attractive features with the condos of The Beauregard as sweeping floor-to-ceiling glass, European-inspired kitchens, marble baths and some private terraces. As well, the property also includes the convenience of a parking garage and fitness rooms, while at the same time a location that’s simply a stroll away from the many clubs, restaurants and shops of the U Street Corridor. This makes it easy to reach what you need and want in the desirable

It may be home to upscale townhomes today, but Beekman Place traces its history to an even more prestigious setting. In fact, a look inside this gated property will lead you to the origins of an actual castle.

The old stone wall is still evident on the property, but instead of townhomes a castle once rose up from the hill. Commonly referred to as Boundary Castle, Henderson Castle, or even Prospect Castle, the property once belonged to a politician and his socialite wife. It’s said the imposing three-story castle had a total of 30 rooms and two towers. It also had a servant’s wing and a stable.

The couple built it there in hopes of making the location into DC’s center of society. With incredible views overlooking the entire area, the couple

New luxury condos are headed to Columbia Heights, with the introduction of The Valencia. This new boutique property makes way for just 10 exclusive residences constructed in a contemporary design.

Buyers at The Valencia are treated to an impressive five different floor plans in the building, including a one-bedroom plus a den with two-baths and a two-bedroom, one-bath floor plan. Other options for new buyers include a two-bedroom, two-bath condo with a private balcony off the master bedroom.

There is also a large two-level floor plan with two-bedrooms and a balcony on its lower level, topped off by a private master bedroom and roof deck on its upper level. The smallest condo in The Valencia offers around 730 square feet of living space.

The

Photo: Craig Fildes

It may sit a long way from the fictional Downton Abbey, but the historic Lee-Fendall House in Old Town Alexandria has real ties to the popular TV show’s set. Downton Abbey is filmed at Highclere Castle, and its current owner is said to be a direct descendant of the original owner of the Lee-Fendall House.

In response to the upcoming Downton Abbey movie release, the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden is hosting a movie release party. It’s planned for September 28, which activities including a scavenger hunt and a trivia contest.

Guests will also get to learn more about all of the connections between the Old Town site and the movie site, including some characters who were actually based on Fendall family members. For those unable