When Merle Goodman, a home buyer from Tampa, started searching for a condominium in Washington with her real estate agent, Sean Aalai of Lindsay Reishman Real Estate, her goal was to find a home with some historic charm, modern amenities and plenty of natural light. A location with easy access to friends and family was also a priority.
“As soon as I saw the building at 2142 O St., I fell in love with the architecture,” Goodman says. “When I walked into the penthouse unit that I eventually bought, I realized it felt more like a house than an apartment. It’s light and open and the perfect size: not too big but not too small, either.”
Goodman purchased a two-bedroom, three bath home with two balconies. The front porch of the building in Northwest Washington offers more outdoor space for all the residents in the nine-home condominium building.
“I had looked at Logan Circle and on the other side of Dupont Circle, but this street is lovely and has a perfect location where I can walk to everything,” Goodman says.
Vintage facade preserved: Built in 1912, the four-level structure was previously a rental apartment building. “The development saved the facade and completely gutted the interior so that every system and appliance is new and the floor plans are nice and open,” says Matt Ford, a sales manager with the Mayhood Co. “The homes have balconies and patios so that residents can enjoy outdoor living space.”
The wide front porch invites residents and their guests to relax, and the second level has what Ford calls “Charleston-style” balconies for each unit. The interiors and finishes, designed by Studio ID, include open floor plans for the main living and dining area, wide-plank hardwood flooring and contemporary lighting. Each two-level unit has an open wood staircase with polished chrome handrails.
The open kitchen has flat-front maple cabinets, including some with frosted glass fronts that open like garage doors; quartz counter tops, an ash gray glass back splash; and stainless steel appliances. Each unit has a closet for coats and a laundry closet with a stacked washer and dryer. Most have extra storage space in the utility closet as well as large bedroom closets. The contemporary baths have either an oversize shower or a combination tub and shower; porcelain mosaic floor and wall tiles; maple vanities; and frameless glass shower doors.
Each unit’s name starts with the letter “O,” as a reference to the street name.
The Olivia, Unit 800, is an upper-level home of 1,250 square feet, priced at $1.139 million, with a monthly condo fee of $352. The unit has a powder room and coat closet near the front door and an open floor plan with a dramatic two-story living and dining area.
The unit’s master bedroom is upstairs, with two large closets and two sets of glass doors to two balconies. The private balcony features skyline views and a glass wall overlooking the living area below. The second balcony is shared with the second bedroom. The master bath has an oversize shower; the private bath for the second bedroom has a combination shower and tub.
The Owen, Unit 200 on the first floor, is the smallest unit, with 790 square feet. This unit is $539,900; the monthly condo fee is $219. It has a coat closet, powder room and an open kitchen with a breakfast bar. A bedroom, a large closet and a full bath with an oversize shower are upstairs.
The Odessa, Unit 400 on the first floor, has 1,230 square feet and is priced at $789,900 with a monthly condo fee of $341. This unit has an open floor plan on the main level. Downstairs on the bedroom level are two bedrooms, including a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, a second closet and a spacious shower in the bath. The second bedroom has a large closet and a full bath with a combination tub and shower. Both bedrooms have glass doors to a patio.
High WalkScore rating: The building’s residents can walk to some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, including Dupont Circle, the West End, Georgetown and Foggy Bottom. Nearby are Rock Creek Park and smaller neighborhood parks, along with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Phillips Collection art museum and dozens of shops, restaurants and bars.
The neighborhood’s WalkScore is 97, one of the highest possible ratings for accessibility to amenities such as coffee shops, libraries, restaurants and public transportation.
Schools: School Without Walls at Francis Stevens; Wilson High School.
Transit: Metro at Dupont Circle Station for the Red Line and Foggy Bottom Station for the Blue, Orange and Silver lines; DC Circulator bus; more than a dozen Metro bus lines within walking distance.
2142 O Street
Five of the original nine units are available for sale and are priced from $539,900 to $1.139 million.
Builder: Neighborhood Development Company; interior designs by Studio ID.
Features: Each home has two levels with wide plank hardwood flooring, contemporary-style lighting, polished chrome hardware and stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, flat- front maple cabinets and an ash- gray glass back splash in the kitchen. Parking is available for rent or for purchase at $39,000 per space.
Bedrooms/bathrooms: One or two/ one to three.
Square footage: approximately 790 to 1,250 square feet.
Condominium association fees: $219 to $352 per month.
View models: Open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment
Sales: Matt Ford at 703-869-7043, mford@mayhoodcompany.com or www.2142ostreet.com.
The Washington Post
By Michele Lerner December 5
Michele Lerner is a freelance writer.
