Sneak Peek: Old Town Modern by Cook Architecture

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend. As we celebrate Independence Day, take a sneak peek into this 1870 rowhouse in Old Town Alexandria, the stomping grounds of our founding fathers. The latest project by Michael Cook, AIA, of Cook Architecture and developer Steven Wheeler transformed the 19th Century home into a 21st Century modern space. Listing and more details to follow later this week. Enjoy the pictures by John Cole and the holiday.
A view from the Poggenpohl kitchen into the open living-dining room.
The living room with wood-burning stove.
The stunning master bathroom with soaring ceiling and plenty of glass.

Pocket of Mid-Century Moderns in Alexandria

I drove through a nice pocket of mid-century modern homes in Alexandria the other day on my way to see Charles Goodman’s Severeid House. Turning from North Pickett onto North Pegram, you’ll find a number of mid-century homes on large lots. This 10,000 square foot home from 1967 is on an acre and has a center atrium. The mostly vintage home has 8 bedrooms and 6 full bathrooms and 2 half baths. It is for rent for $9,500 a month.

Here are few shots of some of the other homes that dot the street. These are not on the market.

These homes were built by Edmund Bennett and designed by Keyes, Lethbridge and Condon, the team responsible for Carderock Springs and Potomac Overlook in Bethesda and New Mark Commons in Rockville. This area in Alexandria is called Potomac Overlook.

Further down Pegram, a steep driveway marks Goodman’s Sevareid House, which sits on 1.5 acres on a hilltop overlooking Seminary Valley.

Modern Snapshot: St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alexandria

When my family and I were driving down to Florida in December, a closure of the ramp to 95 South off the Beltway took us on a little detour along Franconia Road where I quickly pulled over to take some shots of St. John’s Lutheran Church, which is located here. The church displays an interesting contrast between 1950s and late 1960s architecture. The original sanctuary to the right was built in 1959. The new sanctuary to the left was built in 1966 and has a more Brutalist feel when compared to the original’s more prominent use of stained glass and wood. Members of the church told me the soaring roof lines were designed to reflect the shape of Noah’s ark.

Two Open Houses in Alexandria Area Sunday, August 2

Two open houses to note if you are out looking in the Alexandria area on Sunday:

This 1949 expanded Goodman in Hollin Hills I first posted here is open from 1 to 4 p.m.

This 1962 mid-century in Alexandria that I first posted here. This has dropped from $579K to $545K and is open from 1 to 3 p.m.

Care-Free in Hollin Hills

“Our goal is to endow the home with a personality … delightful to be in, pleasant to live in, worthy of pleasure and pride in possession.”
–Charles M. Goodman, A.I.A, Alcoa Care-free Home brochure
When I recently wrote about this Charles Goodman Alcoa Care-free house in Minnesota, a reader rightly noted that there is one of the models in Hollin Hills. After the House and Garden Tour on Saturday, I swung by 7801 Elba Rd. to see how our local Care-free stacked up to the one up north. Unfortunately, from the look of the outside, the house (which is not for sale) cannot match the pristine condition of the one in Minnesota.

1961 Hollin Hills Goodman – 579K; Open 4/27

Here’s a listing for a 3/2 Goodman in located in Hollin Hills. Some of the paint colors and kitchen floor are a little too bold, but those are easy to fix. The house is open April 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Price Drops on Hollin Hills Goodman Homes; One Open House Today

These three Charles Goodman-designed homes in Hollin Hills that I originally posted in September have all had their prices reduced.

1953 4/2 – $799k – This Goodman (top picture) has been expanded to fit in the with original design, according to the listing. The price has dropped from $825K. Here’s the address.

1968 4/3 – $799K – This one has a granite and stainless steel kitchen, if that’s your thing. Th eprice dropped from $825K. Located here. Open 12/2 from 1 to 4 p.m.

1956 4/2 – $669K – Looks like this one (second picture above) has the original blue kitchen cabinets and appliances. Dropped from $719K. Located here.

Hollin Hills Featured in Examiner

Today’s Examiner real estate section has a feature on Hollin Hills. Entitled “Not your father’s Virginia,” the piece does a good job describing the community by Charles Goodman and Robert Davenport. Author Katie Wilmeth curiously does not even mention the term mid-century modern and says the community is “so unique” that the homeowners are working to have the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No mention in the story that Goodman’s Rock Creek Woods, Hammond Woods in Silver Spring and five homes in Takoma Park are already listed on the NRHP.

Wallpaper Magazine on Hollin Hills

The March issue of Wallpaper magazine has a piece on Hollin Hills by American design and architecture journalist Jennifer Kabat. She grew up in the Charles Goodman-designed community in Alexandria, Virginia.
Check out the link for a preview of the article and photos by photographer Juliana Sohn. Thanks to reader Erik for the tip.

Slideshow of Several Charles Goodman Designed Homes

Here’s slideshow of several Charles Goodman-designed homes.
It is posted on the Hollin Hills Talks blog, which is run by the House in the Woods Club, a group of Hollin Hills residents “who are interested in maintaining the architecture, design, community and integrity of Hollin Hills.”

Alexandria Virginia