Available for the first time in nearly 40 years, Georgetown’s celebrated “Blue House” is one of the East Village’s most distinctive free-standing historic residences. Owned by Alfred Pope, a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent African American businessman and property owner in the neighborhood’s history and give the resident special historical significance within Washington.
The property is beautifully enclosed, remarkable private, and discretely secure, with steel garden doors, high masonry walls, custom iron detailing, and comprehensively irrigated landscaping extending all the way to the streetscape tree boxes. The wide marble entry hall features a dedicated coat closet and boot closets and opens to a dramatic living room with multiple exposures, original windows, plantation shutters, wide-plank random-width flooring, and a wood-burning fireplace with gas starter and black marble surround. Adjacent is a richly detailed library. Original wood floors, recessed lighting, built-in bookshelves, floor-to-ceiling draperies, and four banks of insulated mullioned windows from beautiful views of the garden and waterfall while filling the room with southern light. Dramatic stairs lead to an exceptionally large dining room with soaring ceilings, heated polished fossil-stone flooring, recessed lighting, recessed speakers, and visual and physical access to the garden. Large enough to accommodate not only substantial entertaining space but also a work area or study, the room reflects the scale and flexibility rarely found in Georgetown houses. Completing the level is a pristine gourmet kitchen centered around professional-grade Thermador cooking equipment, integrated Sub-Zero refrigeration, extensive work surfaces, and direct connections to both the dining and entertaining spaces of the home. The kitchen also includes a separate service entrance and direct access to the stone lower level.
The lower level functions as an intimate entertaining retreat, with tasting and gathering space, integrated wine refrigeration and storage, secure storage areas, laundry, and a wonderfully atmospheric pub-like sensibility. Bluestone walls and flooring, custom cabinetry, insulated firewood storage, and extensive wine storage create a warm and highly functional service and entertaining level. A large flower-arranging workspace with copper countertops and an oversized sink adds yet another layer of practicality and charm.
On the second level the primary suite is expansive, centered around a large bedroom with two exposures, dark wood floors, and a wood-burning fireplace. A substantial dressing room includes deep sweater storage, wide purse cabinetry, hanging bars designed for packing, and multiple additional closets. Extensive custom storage continues along the hall leading to the primary bath, where built-in cabinet and concealed compartments and integrated seamlessly into the architecture. The primary bath is luxurious, filled with natural light, and features Calacatta Gold marble, extensive mirrored storage, heated floors, towel warmers, a steam shower, jacuzzi tub, and beautifully integrated cabinetry. Hidden behind a full-length mirror is an exceptional walk-in closet with custom cedar cabinetry, stained-glass skylight, safes, concealed compartments, and extensive hanging space. A staircase leads to the third level, home to a remarkable office and studio space with dedicated climate control, wood and copper finishes, custom iron railings, built-in desks, skylights, concealed storage room, refrigerator space, and cleverly integrated spaces for printers and equipment. Views stretch across the rooflines of Georgetown. The second floor also has a charming guest room overlooking the garden through a bank of mullioned windows, complete with a built-in bed, cabinetry and access to a marble hall bath. For buyers seeking additional sleeping space, the dressing room could be easily converted into a third bedroom.
