1532 16th Street N.W.

 Step in to history when you enter this magnificent circa 1910 architectural masterpiece, offered for the first time in over thirty years. The property was originally designed by famed architect Thomas Schneider, most noted for the Cairo apartment building. Original historic details like pocket doors, beautiful molding, high ceilings and many others abound throughout this four story building with English basement, currently used as professional offices and as the law office of Renouf and Polivy. The property is centrally located in the Sixteenth Street/ Dupont Circle area of Washington D.C., and is only minutes to the White House and everything the city has to offer. This magnificent brick and masonry building is zoned SP-1, and is approximately 7,700 square feet on a site area of 2,475 square feet. The zoning, size, and location of the property make it an ideal choice for many potential uses, including professional offices, non-profit organizations, diplomatic residence, trade associations, or as a grand residence.

History of 1532 Sixteenth Street N.W.

1532 Sixteenth Street was designed by the Victorian Architect Thomas Franklin Schneider (1859-1938). Schneider was a much favored society architect of his time, and was known as the Young Napoleon for his sense of style. Most noted for his design of the famed Cairo Apartment building (the city’s tallest residential structure), Schneider left a distinctive stamp on Washington’s neighborhoods. Schneider’s work can be seen from Capitol Hill to Dupont Circle. His works include numerous brick and stone rowhouses and free standing homes with decorative pressed- brick panels(associated with the Queen Anne style) and carved floriate decoration (a hallmark of the Richardsonian Romanesque style). Schneider also developed a number of the finest apartment buildings in D.C., including the Rochambeau, the Stoneleigh Court, and the Ethelhurst. Another of Schneider's accomplishments was a wing of "Henderson's Castle" at Florida and 16th, N.W. Schneider eventually designed about 2000 houses in the Washington area. One of the most important was his own residence, "Schneider House," a magnificent mansion of 50 rooms at 18th and Q Streets, N.W. This mansion was built in the Romanesque style, and featured a ballroom with a 20 foot ceiling, an orchestra balcony and an elaborate fireplace and inglenook. The Schneider family moved out of this house when it proved a financial burden, and moved into the Cairo Hotel, which Schneider owned.

 Sixteenth Street’s early history stems from its close proximity to the White House. It is one of the most important numbered streets in the city, and a major element of the L’Enfant Plan. The Sixteenth Street corridor contains an impressive mix of residential and commercial buildings, representing a myriad of styles. The area around 1532 Sixteenth Street retains much of its Victorian era and turn of the century building stock. Sixteenth Street remained mostly undeveloped until the mid 1800’s. Prior to the Civil War, most of the structures were shanties. The Civil War and reconstruction brought about a population boom and spurred rapid development along Sixteenth Street. By the 1890’s, the street became a fashionable residential district. Churches and other community and national institutions established their headquarters along the street at the same time. Generally, from the 1870’s to the 1920’s, the building styles include Queen Anne, Richardson Romanesque, Beaux Arts Classicism, Victorian, and Italianate .These large buildings, along with the residential structures, give Sixteenth Street it varied and distinct look today.

Many of the builders and architects who constructed on Sixteenth Street were locally and nationally recognized, including Harry Wardman, John Russle Pope, Adolph Cluss, and James G. Hill. The quality of the design and workmanship in the buildings lend themselves to making Sixteenth Street the unique area it is today.

Residents of the Sixteenth Street historic district have included General Douglas MacArthur, real estate baron Henry Willard, William Howard Taft’s vise president James Sherman, Evening Star editor Rudolph Kauffman, and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. The street has also been home to numerous judges, diplomats, congressmen, and government officials.

As Sixteenth Street grew more prestigious, churches, academic, social, and diplomatic institutions began building along the mostly residential street. The First Baptist Church (1888), the Church of the Holy City (1894), and the Foundry Methodist Church (1904) are among the earliest in the historic district. Between 1880-1920, many religious institutions sought to establish a spiritual presence in the District by funding the construction of “National” churches along Sixteenth Street. The Carnegie Institution (a philanthropic research institution) moved into its building in 1908. In 1917, the Women’s Congressional Club founded its headquarters on Sixteenth Street. The Temple of the Scottish Rite was designed by John Russle Pope and completed in 1912, and the Jewish Community Center (located across the street from 1532) was dedicated by President Coolidge in 1928.

 The Sixteenth Street historic district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Renovation of many of the buildings has resulted in their continued use as community and arts organizations, embassies, association headquarters, offices, and residences. The area around 1532 Sixteenth Street remains a beautiful and vibrant location, with unparalleled architectural treasures.

Ownership of 1532 Sixteenth Street

1910-Built by Henry O. Heistand--Adjutant General, U.S. War Department

1915- Sold to Thomas W. Gregory, U.S. Attorney General

 1920-Sold to Roger Nelson, Diplomat

1922-Sold to John L. Caldwell, Attorney

1925-Sold to Dr.Robert E. Moran (owner for many years)

 Sold to Dr. Frey-date unknown

1974-Sold to Margot Polivy and Katrina Renouf, Attorneys

Property Information

 Price: $3,600,000

Year: 1910

Property Condition: “As Is”

Zoning: SP-1

Lot Area: 2,475 S.F.

Building Area: 7,700 S.F.

 Construction: Brick and masonry on concrete slab

Roof: The third floor roof was replaced in 2004 with a membrane roof. All standing seam tin roofs were painted at that time.

 Exterior: Building façade is limestone with a Victorian slate mansard crown.

Interior: Interior walls are plaster and lathe.

Windows: Wood frame double hung sash.

Plumbing: There are restrooms located on each floor with full baths on lower, the second, third and fourth floors and a half bath located on  the main floor.

Ceilings: Plaster ceilings-height ranges from 12’ to 8’.

 Electric Systems: 200 amp main disconnect with a 200 amp breaker panel.

 Parking: Two Car Garage, plus one space in front of the garage.

Transportation: Bus and Metro—nearest metro Station is located four blocks away-Dupont Metro Station (red line).

Tenants: Three including the owners, each with a termination clause in the event of a sale

Showing Information: Showings are by appointment all days and can be scheduled with Bryan Gleason