About 521 Duke St
Built in 1789 by Lawrence Hooff Sr., this distinguished brick rowhome blends historic prestige with modern comfort. Once home to Bushrod Washington, nephew of George Washington and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the property has welcomed presidents from George Washington to Bill Clinton.
Throughout the home, historic details have been preserved to include original heart-of-pine wood floors, built-in china cabinets and bookshelves, original fireplaces and mantels, glass fanlight windows above the doors, and intricate trim, archways and molding in historic-era colors. A rare “bell pull,” still present in only a handful of Old Town homes, adds to the property’s unique character. While much of the charm is preserved, the kitchen and baths have been thoughtfully updated for modern living. The main level offers a stately entrance hall with 10-ft ceilings, a sprawling living room with oversized 12-over-12 windows, a wood-burning fireplace, and custom library bookshelves. The formal dining room, full of historic charm, opens through French doors to a serene private brick courtyard. The beautifully renovated kitchen features exposed brick walls and beamed ceilings and flows seamlessly into the den, accented with antique 1800s paneling reclaimed from a barn in southern Virginia and its own fireplace. The second level grand parlor spans the full width of the home, once a formal entertaining space, now used as a family retreat with original millwork, oversized 12-over-12 windows, fireplace, and a wet bar hidden behind original built-in cabinetry. Two additional bedrooms, one with 10-ft ceilings and an original fireplace, along with two renovated baths complete this level. The third floor includes two sun-drenched bedrooms, a laundry closet with full sized washer/dryer and folding counter, and newly renovated full bathroom with tub shower. The unfinished basement allows for tons of storage space and features a second washer/dryer. A private back courtyard wrapped in a brick privacy wall offers the perfect space for al fresco dining and entertaining. One off-street parking space located just beyond the back gate completes this rare Old Town residence. Unmatched location in the sought after SE quadrant. Stroll 5 blocks to the Potomac River or just 1.5 blocks to King Street and many beloved Old Town restaurants and shops. Incredible opportunity to own a piece of history!
