Jackie Kennedy's Former DC Mansion Is For Sale, But It Looks Very Different Today
Tucked in off the bustle of N Street in the heart of historic Georgetown, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassi's one-time residence is on the market for a cool $26.5 million. Just one of a complex, and encompassing over 16,000 square feet of interior space, Jackie O's home has undergone many changes but still retains the architectural beauty of its 1794 Federal-style construction, including beautiful crown moldings and original pine floors.
The home has grown in the intervening years and is now part of a larger compound that includes two different neighboring structures, each with its own architectural elements and style, all connected by a sprawling backyard and five secret and not-so-secret interior passage points. The home now boasts a total of 13 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and multiple kitchen and living spaces, as well as an enviable raised terrace from the master bedroom that has a view of the Washington monument.
Historic Roots
Constructed in the late 18th century, the home was originally built for the second mayor of Georgetown, Thomas Beall. Over the past two hundred years, it has housed a number of residents, including the daughters of the Washington elite as a private school during the 1860s, several political figures, one former Miss America, and, most recently, Accu-Crete founder David Hudgens, who undertook the extensive expansion and renovations. Jackie O is perhaps its most famous resident, however, purchasing the property in 1964 after the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, the previous October.
While the family, including children John Jr. and Caroline, first lived across the street in another, smaller Federal-style home constructed in 1805 immediately after the tragedy, this larger home was the first property purchased by Jackie after her husband's death. It immediately placed the neighborhood in the national limelight, with constant tour busses and onlookers struggling to catch a glimpse of the famous First Lady. As a result, she later moved with the children to the greater privacy offered by New York City.
Classic Style
While Jackie only lived in the house for a short period, the house both fits and reflects the First Lady's classic style, retaining much of its character and features. Today, what was once Jackie O's second-floor bedroom suite is just one room of an entire second-floor master suite, which includes a sprawling modern wood and marble bathroom, complete with its own fireplace.
The complex also includes nearly as much outdoor space as indoors, boasting a yard of over 15,000 square feet, a rarity in tightly packed Georgetown. Of particular note is the gorgeous dining room of Jackie O's famous abode, painted in pale blue and crowned with a gold leaf ceiling hand-applied by a Polish artisan. Also, the chair near a window where the famous First Lady was interviewed by the Warren Commission regarding her husband's death. While certain parts have been modernized, its new owner will be purchasing an extraordinary property with a rich history.