A historic Alexandria home, known as Clarens Estate, has sold for $7.5 million, breaking the record for the highest sale price in the city’s history. Jaci Appel and Hadley Jones of Washington Fine Properties (WFP) represented the seller.
The 1803 colonial home is located at 318 N. Quaker Ln., Alexandria.
Before the present structure was built, this land was said to have been the site of George Washington’s hunting lodge. The building also served as a Civil War hospital and a school, according to a news release from WFP. It was also once the residence of James Murray Mason, a U.S. Senator and the grandson of George Mason.
After Mason’s time on the property, it became a girls’ school and then transitioned into private ownership. Today, the estate has been restored and modernized to feel “more like the south of France than the hustle and bustle of the DMV,” WFP said.
The Clarens Estate spans more than 10,000 square feet, with seven bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. Throughout the home are historical accents like original hardwood floors, fireplaces, keystone arches, and crown molding.
Inside the home, the dining room features a Crystal Finials chandelier and hand-painted mural wallpaper.
The vibrant blue family room has huge French doors that look out onto the 4-acre lot.
The kitchen has a French country style, with a La Cornue range, granite countertops, and two farmhouse sinks.
The primary suite features an Irish mantel that dates back to 1806. More modern amenities include walk-in closets and a bathroom with heated floors and a soaking tub.
In addition to the main residence, the property has four “carefully preserved” outbuildings. Those include a one-bedroom carriage house, a potting shed, an icehouse, and a well house.
Also on the grounds, the property boasts a heated pool, a jacuzzi, a fire pit, and sandstone decking, plus a barbecue area. The nearby, two-story pool house has a living room with a fireplace, a full kitchen and bathroom, and an upstairs bedroom.
The former record for the highest sale in Alexandria was the $6 million sale of 811 Prince St., the Washington Business Journal reported.
Feature image courtesy Peter Papoulakos
