One of DC's Oldest Homes, The Historic Honeymoon House, Hits the Market

• July 10th 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

One of the District’s oldest residences just hit the market.

The Federalist Mansion at 1252 6th Street SW was built in 1794 as the “Honeymoon House” for Thomas Law and his wife Eliza Parke Custis — First Lady Martha Washington’s eldest granddaughter. Prominent land speculator and one of the city’s earliest developers James Greenleaf constructed the house for the couple, who lived there for three months while awaiting the completion of their eventual home.

The house went on to serve as a hotel during the Civil War and later as a hospital and medical clinic. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places in the 1970s.

Most recently, it has served as an amenity to the Tiber Island Cooperative Homes, primarily hosting annual social events. The interior is well-appointed for entertaining, as there is a kitchen on each floor.

At the front of the house, a portion of the 18th-century cobblestone street remains at the foot of an ornately-carved iron stair winding up to the entrance. The interior of the house contains many of the original finishes, from the hardwood flooring and crown molding to the two fireplaces. A rooftop terrace on the second floor overlooks the Washington Channel and the shared pool. Three bedrooms share a bathroom on the uppermost floor.

There is also a full one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the basement. The house comes with two parking spaces and the option to purchase a third. The eventual owner will also enjoy access to the Cooperative’s amenities, such as the fitness center and swimming pool.

The house went on the market Monday; more details and photos are below.

• Address: 1252 Sixth Street SW (map)
• Price: $2.5 million
• Bedrooms: Four
• Bathrooms: 2.5
• Square Footage: 4,050
• Listing Agents: Emanuel Williams and John Edelmann, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/one_of_dcs_oldest_homes_the_historic_honeymoon_house_hits_the_market/12691.