For Jim Wrenn, senior project developer at Case Design, his favorite recent kitchen project was cooked up for an Alexandria rooftop. The 100-plus-year-old four-story townhouse sits in the heart of Old Town, and its recent redo boasts a spectacular space for taking in 360-degree views.
Once a utilitarian, bare-bones roof deck, this now kitted out top floor takes the homeowner’s love of entertaining to new heights. Where summer fills in with lush green treetops, year-round, the roof provides an unobstructed view of the Masonic Temple, the Washington Monument and glimpses of planes taking off and landing at Reagan National Airport.
For three seasons, the homeowner enjoys days and nights of grilling and sipping cocktails thanks to the outfitted outdoor kitchen. The below-counter fridge is regularly stocked with bottles of water and wine, and, weather-permitting, the prepped menu for any given night’s dinner. The eye-catching Green Egg and stainless steel gas grill churn out flawless barbecue. In front of the cozy sectional, a modern coffee table-slash-fireplace provides warmth on cool evenings and proves functional as a drop spot for setting down plates and glasses.
The composite deck was built to withstand all weather, says Wrenn, and the appliances get covered in rain or snow. Below the big-screen TV, he added convenient built-in storage to stash seat cushions and throw blankets when not in use. Thin metal cable railings that twinkle at night add to the deck’s contemporary aesthetic, without limiting views.
Just inside and down a flight of stairs is the gentleman’s room and wet bar, which Wrenn also worked on and finished after the rooftop. It’s stocked with a sink, dishwasher and beverage center, so any needs not met upstairs on the rooftop can be met there. Glass-front cabinets showcase all manner of drink vessels, and high-up open shelving displays the homeowner’s liquor collection.
What the Client Wanted
Wrenn says the homeowner wanted a space to do some serious cooking and entertaining al fresco, while maximizing his views of the city. And even though that meant guests would have to climb even more stairs in his four-story home, that wasn’t a concern. “He has a very active lifestyle,” says Wrenn. “He’s very fit.”
The Final Remodel
Wrenn recalls the charity fundraiser that featured tours of Old Town homes not long after this project was completed. He estimates some 500 people trudged up the four stories for a closer look at his two-level handiwork and the home’s history. But best of all, he and the client shared a rapport, reviewing designs and coming up with sophisticated and stylish fixes.
Challenges
Construction on an old home in a high-density area comes with challenges. But factor in working up so high and employing a crane for a few days, Wrenn says, and the job brought with it a number of height concerns.
For more attractive and easy access onto the rooftop, Wrenn rebuilt the stairs up and fashioned a proper doorway.
Wrenn chuckles at the basic alternative: a ladder, which would surely pose challenges for an imbibing guest or the demise of an unbalanced tray of food. Thanks to his work, the view is worry-free.
