HISTORIC CAPITOL HILL, BEAUTIFULLY EVOLVED. Just off East Capitol Street on one of Capitol Hill’s most treasured blocks, this circa-1863 residence brings together remarkable historic character, expansive modern living, exceptional indoor-outdoor connection and the potential for off-street parking, all in a location that puts the best of Washington at your doorstep.
From the moment you enter, the house feels substantial. Gracious living and dining spaces retain the warmth and character of the original home, with preserved details including the staircase newel post and railings, handsome dining room window casings and beautifully refinished oak floors. The front dining room leads naturally toward the heart of the house: an oversized gourmet kitchen designed as much for gathering as cooking, with a long stone island, abundant cabinetry, two generous work areas and sinks, and plenty of room to spread out.
Beyond the kitchen, the house opens dramatically into an expansive rear family room centered on a gas fireplace and flanked by tall black-framed divided-light glass doors. Open them and the living space continues directly outside to a custom brick patio and fully fenced backyard with irrigation and outdoor lighting, creating an unusually seamless connection between house and garden. With rear alley access, the property also offers the potential for off-street parking.
Upstairs, beautiful original heart pine floors are a wonderful reminder of the home’s 19th-century beginnings. Two exceptionally spacious bedrooms are joined by a large skylit den, ideal as a home office, library, studio, guest space or additional living area. The primary suite includes a renovated en-suite bath with double vanity and a wall of closets, while the renovated hall bath also features a double vanity. Side-by-side laundry, a large linen closet and additional hallway storage make the upper level as practical as it is distinctive.
A third full bath on the main level adds still more flexibility. Below, the connected unfinished lower level has its own front entrance and reveals another layer of the home’s history, with exposed brick, original structural elements, windows and extensive storage, workshop and utility space.
Thoughtfully updated over time rather than stripped of its identity, 12 5th Street NE feels unmistakably like Capitol Hill: historic without being precious, polished without feeling newly manufactured, and wonderfully livable. Replacement windows, central air conditioning and updated systems complement the character that has endured for more than 160 years.
And then there is the location. Just off East Capitol Street and two blocks from Stanton Park, the home is exceptionally positioned for Eastern Market, Union Station, H Street, Union Market, Metro, the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and the neighborhood restaurants, shops, parks and everyday conveniences that make Capitol Hill one of Washington’s most enduringly desirable neighborhoods.
A remarkable historic home, a beautifully evolved way of living, and a setting that is quintessentially Capitol Hill. Reach out for a private tour anytime.
