1331 Constitution Avenue NE

The homes on Capitol Hill, the largest historic district in Washington, DC, are known for many things. But cutting-edge contemporary design is not one of them. So when DC-based developer Ditto Residential began a modern rebuild of a former retail property two blocks from Lincoln Park, it immediately stood out.

Recently-completed 1331 Constitution Avenue NE (map) was a retail business from the early 1900s until the 1970s. Now, it is a three-story, four-bedroom, 3.5-bath townhome with a host of custom-designed features. It is the third commercial property that Ditto Residential has rebuilt -- keeping just the original facade intact -- on this block of Constitution Avenue, and it is the most avant-garde example yet of the firm’s work.

Family room into kitchen

After finalizing the overall design with McGraw Bagnoli Architects, the firm consulted with experts on every facet of the home, from the landscaping by Lila Fendrick Landscape Architects to the kitchen and bath design by Alison Tilley Kitchen & Bath.

Kitchen

The finished product is a modern transformation awash in light. A third floor skylight runs along the west side of the house, bringing natural light to all three floors. There are two interior balconies on the second level, and two of the bedrooms have eight-foot windows. Outdoor spaces include a backyard (with two-car parking) and a roof deck, which, together with the home's first floor, are wired to a central sound system. There are white oak floors and open tread stairs throughout, as well as top-of-the-line appliances from Bosch and Fisher & Paykel.

Living room

“We wanted to push the realm of possibility for architecture in this neighborhood and build something inspiring,” says Ditto Residential president Martin Ditto.

Ditto is no stranger to unique home design. Focused on high quality residential projects in DC’s most in-demand neighborhoods, the firm has remodeled and redeveloped Victorian condos in Logan Circle, a former school on Capitol Hill, and even Brookland’s renowned Round House.

Master bedroom

1331 Constitution Avenue will hit the market later this week and will be open to the public on Sunday, December 8th from 1pm to 4pm. For the full virtual tour, click here.

For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact Pamela Wye of TTR Sotheby's International Realty at 202-320-4169 or by email here. Visit Ditto Residential online here. Additional photos below.

Bedroom

Master bathroom

Office/bedroom leading out to roof deck.

Rear patio

Two-car parking

Photography by Sean Shanahan.