WASH July 2008 : 83
DUPONT CIRCLE EAST WALK TO: SWANN HOUSE. THE HISTORIC MANSION-TURNED-BED AND BREAKFAST AT THE CORNER OF SWANN STREET AND NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE WAS ONCE OWNED BY WASHINGTONIAN WALLACE TUTT, THE CELEBRATED INTERIOR DESIGNER WHO DID GIANNI VERSACE’S MIAMI MANSE. A B&B SINCE 1996, SWANN HOUSE IS POPULAR WITH SWANN STREET’S OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS. “WE’RE LIKE THE SPARE BEDROOM FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD,” SAYS SWANN HOUSE MANAGER RICK VERKLER. IN THE KNOW: DUKE ELLINGTON ONCE CALLED SWANN STREET HOME AND THE AREA SAW ITS SHARE OF SCATTING WITH CAB CALLOWAY AND FRIENDS PERFORMING NEARBY, BUT THE STREET IS ALSO HOME TO AN EVEN MORE SUBSTANTIAL HISTORICAL FIGURE. CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON, BORN IN 1895 ON SWANN STREET, WAS A DEAN OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL AND—IN A VERY WASHINGTON CLAIM TO FAME—WAS INVOLVED IN NEARLY EVERY CIVIL RIGHTS CASE BROUGHT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT FROM 1935 THROUGH 1954’S LANDMARK BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION. BOTTOM LINE: THE STREET IS SHORT AND SO IS THE TIME THE CONDOS SPEND ON THE MARKET. SEVEN DAYS WAS ALL IT TOOK TO SELL A $799,000 PIED-À-TERRE ON THE SWEET STREET—UNHEARD OF IN THIS HURTING HOUSING MARKET. LARGER UNITS ARE SELLING TOO, AT ABOUT $1 MIL. 14TH STREET “The street connects two areas of town that are young and hip—and yet, it’s really quiet.” —Joe Freeman, Freeman Development Group You can furnish your home and fill your newfound closets without ever leaving nearby 14th Street. A scone’s throw from Swann, a number of newly opened boutiques are redefining the renovated street as the “Design District.” Muléh, Home Rule and Irvine Contemporary were the pioneers, while Redeem and Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams represented the second wave of sleek stores to open just last year. The latest outcropping of rich retailers includes ACKC Cocoa Gallery, Universal Gear and Timothy Paul Bedding & Home, the second outpost on the street from Timothy and Mia Paul. Their bohemian-luxe interiors shop (above) is giving Swann Street residents a reason to stay close to home when completing their renovations. RETRO REDUX While it is hardly Joe Freeman’s swan song, the condos at 1402 Swann Street have been a long time coming. Freeman, a developer-realtor, and his sister, Yvette, manage Freeman Development Group. They were the first to discover Swann Street’s potential as a whole. Known for converting historic homes into boutique condos, he tackled his first project on the block in 2000, when nearby 14th Street was beginning its own renaissance. The Stacey sold out quickly and 1402 Swann Street, an eight-unit building with units starting at $539,000, is now attracting buyers. Hardwood floors and outdoor spaces for entertaining—a rarity in the District—come standard- issue. So, too, do master baths kitted out in spa amenities, Sub-Zeros, Carrera countertops, sleek custom kitchen cabinets and (of course) the closets for all those fabulous finds. www.freemandevelopmentgroup.com. JULY 2008 > 83 THE HOUSE : THE STREET :
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