Before his death, George Washington decided that one of his properties would end up in the possession of his personal secretary, Tobias Lear, and his wife Frances, who was also Martha Washington’s niece.
The original Mount Vernon estate of the first US president comprised six separate farms, one of them being this spectacular property, constructed on a promontory along the beautiful Potomac River.
That 16.5-acre estate, found in Alexandria, Virginia, was dubbed River View, and it’s probably tied with numerous events that have shaped the history of the United States.
But we’re here to tell you that George Washington’s former home has been recently listed for sale, at a cool $60 million.
Now, let’s be honest – this charming mansion does not benefit from the original structure anymore, which is a good thing considering ceiling heights in colonial days. Architect Jim Rill managed to bring this home well into the 21st century while keeping period details, such as the coffered ceilings, wood-inlay flooring, and arched doorways, properly preserved for years to come.
The lavish seven-bedroom, 13-bath property, covering 16,000 square feet is currently the most expensive residence in Alexandria, and we can clearly see why.
As you arrive to this fabulous home, a stone-lined driveway allows passage from the gated entrance to the house. Here, a grand reception hall and a sweeping staircase add to the drama and charm of this historic home, while a few modern luxuries and touches beautifully blend in with the vintage details.
There’s also a gorgeous kitchen, featuring two black-stone-topped islands, two sinks, a pot filler, and – back to the 21st century – state-of-the-art equipment. It might be pretty difficult to choose your favorite room this mesmerizing home. Let’s move on, shall we?
A natural-lighted living room offers relaxing views of the lawns and water outside, while the billiards room, on the other hand, teases with the aid of two TVs and a full bar. If you ask us, the wood-paneled library, with its cozy fireplace and tufted leather sofas, might be the place where we could spend all day.
But wait, that’s not all. There’s also an impressive fitness suite, featuring a large gym, with probably anything you could possibly want, plus a resistance-current pool, a nice sauna, steam room, and spa.
If you’d like to invite a few friends over, the 15-seat screening room seems like the perfect place to make your friends feel envious and entertained, at the same time. Don’t worry, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom guest house will allow them to stay the night.
There’s also a lovely carriage house on-site, that was recently renovated, and houses four cars, plus an additional apartment. In addition to all this, a private dock awaits on the shore, so you might need to buy a boat as well. Do you need more? Well, the main terraces might be ideal for hosting a social event.
Or, the colonial boxwood and rose gardens, recreated to show off this property’s former glory. But modern touches quickly remind you this is a 21st-century home. That might explain the geothermal heating system, state-of-the-art well-water management, backup generators, as well as security, utilities, and entertainment systems. I doubt George Washington anticipated all of this.
[Photos: Gordon Beall / TTR Sotheby’s International Realty]
