The word "standalone" takes on a whole new meaning when you live in an urban row house environment. Party walls, shared walls, and common space is quite common place, so the idea of a dwelling and space that is all your own is a dream for many.
Along Old Town's Prince Street there is a collection of unique and beautiful homes ranging in age from the mid 1700s to the early 1900s. Many have direct neighbors who have filled in over time, while a few lucky homes have remained detached and standalone.
Today's featured Around Old Town home is a beautiful representation of a grand home that has retained that coveted label of "fully detached."
This stately home was built in 1870 and is a large three story brick home with a picturesque enclosed porch that lines the second story back portion of the house. It's oddly dwarfed by its hulking neighbor to the left, which might cause you to look past this house when walking by, but this home has always been one of my absolute favorites.
The ample land and free space on either side allows for parking, yard space, and the ability for passers by to gawk at a view of a standalone home you don't often see in Old Town Alexandria.
The current owners have done a wonderful job maintaining this home having owned it since 1970 (talk about a bargain)! The cheerful yellow paint on the exterior with black shutters sits in contract to the neighboring natural brick.
You can see the results of the weakening mortar below each window, which is very common in large masonry homes of this era, but that is all easily resolved by a good mason.
The various details of the home, including the large decorative corbels as well as the original 6 over 6 window sash make this home one I'd quickly trade for.
Do you have a favorite home in your neighborhood that you always pause to admire? Perhaps the home itself, a beautiful garden, interesting portico, or some other architectural feature that captivates you? If so, we'd love to hear all about it in the comment section, or snap a photo and send it to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in an upcoming "Around Town" segment.
