A Rare 1770 "Flounder" Beautifully Renovated
202 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA
OFFERED for $1,410,000
This rare 1770 freestanding brick flounder, built well back from the street and surrounded by a formal garden with potting shed and high brick walls, is a jewel of Old Town. The two and one-half story brick home, with a rolled tin roof and beautifully renovated and restored in 1995, is one of the few remaining freestanding flounder houses in Alexandria. It features crown moldings, paneled foyer, library with original fireplace, and a full in-law suite with separate entrance.
William Mitchell, a sea captain, built this ‘flounder' house in 1770. "Flounder" means that the wall that faces the neighbor's yard has no windows; therefore, the windows are on the other side, like the eyes of a flounder. The name is unique to Alexandria.
The property originally had a warehouse in the front yard. The practice of building rear wings was common in early America. The house never acquired additional fronting on the street after the warehouse was demolished in 1815. The 2½ story brick home with a rolled tin roof is one of the few remaining freestanding flounder houses in Alexandria.
The house stood vacant for eight years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was carefully restored in 1995. 
Crown moldings throughout the home were duplicated using an original 18th Century piece. Pass through the paneled foyer to the library warmed by the original fireplace. Exit the house through the renovated kitchen and turn right in the alley to view the windowless side of the house.
At the time of the renovation, the brick patio in the front yard, completely covered with mud and weeds, was unearthed. The holly tree, climbing rose, large English boxwoods on the street side of the garden, the azalea bushes on the patio's west side, and one boxwood against the house were on the property in 1995. European hornbeams line the entry walkway to the pergola covered in wisteria and grape vines. English boxwoods frame the brick patio and dogwood tree, and a climbing hydrangea is the focal point on the front of the house. The potting shed was added in 2007.
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For additional details, see AX7500675 at www.HillSlowinski.com.
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F. Hill Slowinski, JD, REALTOR® in DC, MD, and VA
W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors, A Long & Foster Company
Exclusive Affiliate of Christie's Great Estates
Consultant, Luxury Real Estate, Sloans & Kenyon Auctioneers and Appraisers
4701 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20816
Tel: 301-229-4000 Fax: 301-229-4015
Direct: 301-320-8430 · Cell: 301-452-1409
Email: HSlowinski@LNF.com · Web Site: www.HillSlowinski.com 
Weblog: http://HillSlowinskiRealEstate.com
Offered for $875,000 
The formal living room is anchored by an inviting clean natural gas fireplace, large side windows with southern exposures, and an elegant seating area. The living and dining rooms area have crown molding and polished wood floors. The intimate dining area leads to the open white kitchen which features a center island, gray countertops, and upgraded appliances. The attached eating space in the sun room overlooks a spacious 15' x 15' sun deck, enhanced with a stunning new English style square post iron trellis, private landscaped yard, and a deep inviting garden enclosure. 
Belle Rive Estate 
The design of the home and its orientation over the Potomac River were influenced by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, overlooking the river from all corners and several exterior decks and balconies above the main level patio. Experience virtually the same impressive views of the Potomac River that George Washington had from his home at Mount Vernon, which is located ~1 mile up river. 
Opposite East Shore: 
For owners who view security as a business decision, the strategically fortified environments include a subterranean central core complex of rooms with protected access and communications, suitable for secure storage of records, valuables, or arms. The building includes the usual alarm and security systems with cameras and motion detectors. The home's solid brick, block, and steel construction and its below-ground lowest level lend themselves to use as a dedicated safe room for executive, military, diplomatic, or embassy potential. 
A central core could be retrofitted with a four-level dumbwaiter. The open fourth level has been used at various times as a chapel, conference room, recital hall, business center, reception area, and art gallery with a large rooftop deck including separate enclosed external circular stairwell for catering and supplies delivery. 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
F. Hill Slowinski, JD, Consultant, Sloans & Kenyon Luxury Real Estate
