Former Frederick Douglass residence on Capitol Hill listed for $4.9M

The home Frederick Douglass once lived in, close to the Supreme Court, is now on the market. (Courtesy Adam Rackliffe, Washington Fine Properties)
An archival photo of Douglass and his family outside the home. (Courtesy Adam Rackliffe, Washington Fine Properties)
One of the interior bedrooms, part of the complete renovation of the home. (Courtesy Adam Rackliffe, Washington Fine Properties)
A plaque outside the former Douglass home. (Courtesy Adam Rackliffe, Washington Fine Properties)
The backyard of the home was also renovated, and other parcels are also available for purchase. (Courtesy Adam Rackliffe, Washington Fine Properties)
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An Empire-style townhome, two blocks from the U.S. Supreme Court, occupied by abolitionist Frederick Douglass in the 1870s, is on the market for $4.9 million after a top-to-bottom renovation.

The four-level, 6,150-square-foot home at 316 A St. Northeast, includes seven bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms and four one-car garages, as well as a large outdoor terrace.

It is listed by HRL Partners and Thornett+Corder of Washington Fine Properties.

A plaque at the property indicates Douglass lived in the home from 1871 to 1877. WFP said records don’t indicate whether Douglass owned the home or just occupied it, but it was his first residence in D.C.

The renovation was done by Brush Arbor Home Construction, and includes features such as 10-foot ceilings, custom millwork, hand-milled white oak floors and an elevator.

The primary suite is on the second level, with five other bedrooms across three levels. The penthouse level includes a family room with wet bar.

The property was previously owned by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, and included a small Frederick Douglass museum. Brush Arbor purchased the property in spring 2018.

Two adjacent properties are also for sale, and can be purchased together with the Douglass home, including a 4,500-square-foot, six-bedroom townhome at 318 A St. Northeast, listed separately for $3.89 million, and a three-bedroom, 2,200-square-foot carriage house at 17 Frederick Douglass Court Northeast, listed separately for $1.795 million.

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for WTOP as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the WTOP newsroom staff in January 2016.

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