When the house at 2947 Upton St. NW was built in 1922, the owners could not have foreseen changes to the area that would locate their property on prime land with public transportation practically at their doorstep. Today, the owners of this Forest Hills home live within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the Van Ness Metro station and also close to Rock Creek Park for jogging, biking or simply reveling in nature in the midst of the city.
On the market for $999,000, this semidetached Colonial-style home has three levels of living space along with a walk-up attic ready for further finishing. Street parking is readily available, but the property also includes a two-car garage and additional off-street parking.
When spring sunshine arrives, this charming home has plenty of space for enjoying the outdoors alone or with a crowd. The flagstone front steps lead to a stone-tiled front porch that sits above the street for privacy and a view of the neighborhood.
In the back of this home, the owners added an expansive screened porch with a high ceiling, skylights, a ceiling fan and ceramic tile flooring. The screens include transoms for a floor-to-ceiling breeze. French doors with a transom above open from the porch to the garden, where a flagstone patio is surrounded by garden beds. The backyard is fully fenced for privacy.
Inside, the owners renovated with a careful eye to preserve as much as possible of the home’s original character. The original oak and heart pine floors have been restored on the main and upper levels along with the hardwood stairs. Many of the doors include original glass knobs, and most rooms have custom molding.
The foyer has a deep coat closet and a wide opening to the formal living room. The living room includes a gas fireplace with a white-painted mantel. This room has tall period windows facing the street along with windows on either side of the fireplace. Underneath these windows are low glass-front cabinets.
Just beyond the living room is the formal dining room, a generously proportioned room with a chandelier and an oversized window. French doors link the dining room with a charming den or study with an updated powder room with ceramic tile flooring and beadboard wainscoting. Glass doors lead from the den to the screened porch.
Adjacent to the dining room is the updated kitchen, which has the original hardwood floor. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite counters and a gas range. The white cabinets have brushed-nickel knobs, and some have glass doors. Stairs lead from the kitchen to the lower level.
The finished lower level includes an in-law suite with a separate outside entrance, a full kitchen and a full bath. This level also has a utility room and storage space.
The upper level includes original hardwood flooring and an oversized linen and storage closet off the hall. A conveniently located tall closet on this level holds the full-size stacked washer and dryer. A door off the hall leads to hardwood stairs to the fully floored attic, which is currently used for storage. The attic, which has two dormer windows, easily could be finished for additional living space.
The upper-level master suite has two closets, a ceiling fan and a charming separate sitting room or home office with another ceiling fan and two walls of windows overlooking the garden. The master bath has black-and-white tile flooring, beadboard wainscoting on the walls and an updated walk-in tile shower.
The large second bedroom has two windows overlooking the street, a side window and a ceiling fan. This room has an attached wardrobe. The third bedroom has a ceiling fan and windows overlooking the street. These two bedrooms share a full bath off the hall that has been renovated and includes a claw-foot tub with a shower and beadboard wainscoting on the walls.
Details:
Address: 2947 Upton St. NW, Washington, DC 20008
Community: Forest Hills
Age: Built in 1922
Price: $999,000
Size: Site of approximately .10 acre
Taxes: $7,609 in 2010
Exterior features: Colonial-style semi-detached home of brick and siding with a slate mansard roof, flagstone front porch, a fenced back garden with a flagstone patio and a detached two-car garage with additional parking
Interior features: Four bedrooms; 3 1/2 baths; foyer with coat closet and original staircase; living room with windows on two sides; formal dining room; den or study with glass doors to screened porch; updated kitchen with oversized pantry, granite counters and stainless steel appliances; master suite with two closets, separate sitting room or home office, updated private full bath; two additional upper-level bedrooms share an updated hall bath; upper-level stacked washer and dryer; walk-up attic with space for expansion; lower-level in-law suite with separate outside entrance, full kitchen and full bath; storage room
Amenities: Original hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, high ceilings, French doors, gas fireplace, ceiling fans, central air conditioning and gas radiator heat
Close by: Two blocks to Van Ness Metro station, walk to shops and restaurants on Connecticut Avenue, walk or bike to Rock Creek Park
Schools: Hearst Elementary, Deal Middle, Wilson High
Open house: By appointment
Contact: Realtor Kelly Williams with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 202/588-2788
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