On the Market: A sweet Victorian townhouse in Georgetown

Love is in the air. So let us now thank the Victorians, most especially today, for inventing the Valentine’s Day card. We should thank them, too, for their then-disruptive romantic notion that our homes, furnishings and clothing should strive for beauty rather than mere practicality.

Less a formal style than a design philosophy, Victorian homes were unusually inclusive and individualistic, borrowing features from a range of eras (from ancient Egypt to Queen Anne) to reflect their owners’ and architects’ taste and imagination. No two houses were alike and no detail was considered too elaborate or de trop.

The semi-detached stucco townhouse at 1415 33rd St. NW marries a Federal exterior with Victorian decorative elements within. Built in 1850 (and protected by a Capital Preservation easement), it was wholly renovated in 2017 and combines period detail with a modern aesthetic. It now offers 3,090 square feet of living space on three levels and includes four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and five fireplaces (three gas, two wood-burning). There is also a brick wrap-around patio with access to a one-car garage. It is on the market for $2.825 million.

A brick patio landscaped with flowerbeds sets off the façade that’s graced with limestone steps and a delicate vintage wrought iron railing and landing. Inside, the wide entry hall leads to the main staircase on the left and a double parlor on the right. Now staged as a separate living and dining room, they feature black soapstone Victorian-style fireplaces, high ceilings with cove crown molding, and large windows framed by a rosette and fluted molding surround. Red oak hardwood runs throughout, including the staircases where the original handrails, newel posts and other ornamentation have been rebuilt and restored.

Past the powder room with its sleek round vanity is an intimate family room, which opens onto the side patio via a glass door. At the far end of the room is the back staircase (with cleverly hidden storage) that leads upstairs to the bedrooms. There is also an arched entryway into a bright, charming kitchen that features radiant heated tile floors, Cambrian quartz counters, extensive white custom raised panel cabinetry (some with glass doors and eclipse trim), and a metallic and taupe mosaic backsplash for a subtle touch of bling. Appliances include two Blanco sinks (one farm, one bar), six-burner Wolfe gas range and oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Bosch wall oven, microwave, dishwasher and under-counter wine cooler. French doors off the eating area open to the spacious back patio with a whitewashed brick wall, herringbone-patterned pavers and access to the garage.

On the upper level are the bedrooms, the master suite plus two guest rooms – each with elegantly appointed en-suite baths. The back bedroom features a large bay window overlooking the patio. The second bedroom has access to both the front and back stairs.

The spacious master bedroom and sitting room is an abundantly lit open space with two marble fireplaces and two side-by-side closets. The luxurious en-suite bath is fitted with radiant-heated marble tile flooring, Kohler two sink vanity, a freestanding soaking tub and commode, Grohe brushed nickel fixtures, a frameless glass shower with Carrara marble basket-weave floor and linear drain, and Waterworks sconces.

Downstairs on the lower level is an exceptionally bright guest suite with its own separate entrance. It includes a bedroom/den with fireplace, built-in bookcases, a full bath with glass shower and the laundry room with sink, Kenmore washer and dryer and walls of built-in shelving and storage space.

Located on a quiet street in the heart of Georgetown, the home is within walking distance to all the visual, retail and dining splendors of the neighborhood, including the waterfront, M Street and Georgetown University. It is minutes from the West End, Dupont Circle and downtown and offers easy access to Northern Virginia and points west via the Key Bridge.