Kennedy georgetown home
John F. Kennedy's Former Georgetown Home Sells for 4.2 Million
BettmannGetty Images
President John F. Kennedy's Georgetown residence, where he was said to have met his future wife, Jacqueline Bouvier, has sold for $4.2 million—$475,000 below the asking price. The former president lived in the red brick, three-bedroom house with his sister, Eunice, from 1949 to 1951. This period was especially important in JFK's life, as it was when he represented Massachusetts in the Senate and prepared for his presidential campaign. The Washington, D.C. home is certainly fit for a prominent politician, with its prime location, stunning views, and two outdoor spaces for entertaining. The house was originally built in 1800, so it has a lot of historic charm, though has been elegantly upgraded by renowned architect Richard Foster and preeminent builder Tom Glass.
The listing was held by Christie-Anne Weiss at TTR Sotheby's International Realty. Scroll down to see photos of the landmark home.
The house's charming exterior is red brick with black and white accents.
Ryan Corey
The home was originally built in 1800 in a classic Federal style.
The two-story atrium entrance was a later addition.
Ryan Corey
Renowned architect Richard Foster and builder Tom Glass brought the home into the modern day, while preserving its history.
The kitchen features high-tech appliances and a breakfast bar.
Ryan Corey
The space is built for a foodie.
The formal dining room opens up to the outdoor patio.
Ryan Corey
It's perfect for pre- or post-dinner cocktails in the warmer months.
A spacious terrace is one of the home's two outdoor spaces.
Ryan Corey
The other is the rooftop.
The formal living room includes hardwood floors and elegant moldings.
Ryan Corey
The space is perfect for hosting events.
Upstairs, there is a historic, wood-paneled library.
Ryan Corey
You can just picture JFK working here. The library also features its own powder room and wet bar.
The spacious master bedroom includes a fireplace and views of Georgetown.
Ryan Corey
The master is one of the home's three bedrooms.
The master bathroom is covered in white marble, including the floors and walls.
Ryan Corey
Look out over all of Georgetown from the comfort of a palatial tub.
The rooftop deck provides another space for entertaining.
Ryan Corey
In warmer months, this private terrace would be suitable for dinners or parties. The deck also has its own small kitchen area for convenience.
The roof also features views of Washington, D.
C.
Ryan Corey
The Washington Monument is visible in the distance.
The home has a spacious garage.
Ryan Corey
Annie Goldsmith News Writer Annie Goldsmith is the news writer for Town & Country, where she covers culture, politics, style, and the British royal family.
Inside John F. Kennedy's Georgetown Home Where He Courted Jackie
John F. Kennedy's former Georgetown digs just got a new owner. Last month, the gorgeous colonial residency located at 1400 34th St NW in Washington D.C., sold for $4.2 million.
While that's a heavy chunk of change for most, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home had initially hit the market in February of this year for $4.675 million. The price was dialed back in July, and again in September. On November 30, the home sold. Christie-Anne Weiss and Christopher Ritzert of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty held the listing, while Michael Rankin of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty represented the buyer in the sale.
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Built in the 1800s, the property is rich in history. Kennedy lived in the home with his sister Eunice from 1949 to 1951. At the time, he was serving in Congress and his newfound social status would eventually lead him to cross paths with Jacqueline Bouvier.
According to the New York Post, Kennedy met Bouvier during his final year living in the Washington, D.C. residence. In May of 1951, he was introduced to Bouvier at a dinner party in the neighborhood. While they didn't officially meet at his home, there's a good chance they spent a lot of time there during their relationship's early days. In 1953, the couple tied the knot. Fast forward a decade and Kennedy is elected as the 35th president of the United States.
Ready to take a peek inside this gem? While the 19th century home has since been brought-up-to-date technology-wise—as well as renovated by renowned architect Richard Foster and builder Tom Glass—it still exudes that Kennedy-era charm.
Here's what John F. Kennedy’s former Georgetown home looks like today.
Welcome! Upon entry, you're greeted with a two-story atrium (a later addition to the home) that's sure to stun guests.
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
When you're an up-and-coming politician, having a living room to entertain guests is key. This one definitely delivers, without compromising style.
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
As a junior senator, Kennedy needed a quiet place for reading. This gorgeous wood-paneled library did just the trick. Plus, there's a wet bar for after-hour fun.
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
When days get rough, the master bathroom's sumptuous tub and heated floors (!) will bring the spa-experience home.
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Last but, not least: the views! The rooftop terrace features panoramic views of the city. Peep the Washington Monument in the distance!
Compass Studios for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
Kelly Corbett
News Writer
Kelly is the News Writer at House Beautiful where she covers a little bit of everything ranging from decorating trends and must-have products, to anything that includes doughnuts or glitter.
Presidential Houses
Where did Presidents Nixon and Kennedy live, and what house in Washington does the Clintons own?
WASHINGTON -
Every day at the White House - the office and residence of American presidents - you can see the most diverse audience, from supporters of Donald Trump to tourists from all over the world.
“This place looks very safe. And it makes a good impression. This is exactly what I expected to see in America. Big and White House,” the guest of the American capital shares.
“I'm Doshi Milesh and this is my mother Doshi Pushpa. We are from Bombay in India. We came here to see the USA and the White House. We are very impressed!” says Miles.
This building has served as home to dozens of American presidents. But the official residence for the Vice President of the United States was not previously provided. From the time of George Washington to Gerald Ford, they lived in private houses or hotels. So, in this mansion in the Wesley Heights district of Washington, Richard Nixon, first the vice president and then the president of the United States, lived.
“This house is not really as famous among Americans as the others. But it is very unusual, since most of the houses that belonged to presidents or vice presidents no longer exist. Some were destroyed or did not survive the course of history.
Others have been preserved as museums, and a few have been turned into embassies. But the Nixon house was sold to private owners,” says historian Ken Bossong.
The current mistress of the house admitted that she is infinitely satisfied with the house. This is not surprising - there is a library, a solarium, a wine cellar. True, the family had to get used to the attention of journalists - the fame of Nixon's house persists decades after his death.
“Long before he was elected president, Nixon had developed a reputation as a sharpie and had the nickname “Sly Dick.” Political opponents considered him an absolutely dishonest person who could say anything to get his way. True or not - often depends on how you feel about his personality. But the fact that he was forced out of office after the Watergate scandal shows that his opponents had reason to suspect Nixon of dishonesty,” says Bossong.
In addition to the Watergate scandal, Nixon is remembered for his foreign policy.
Being an ardent anti-communist, he made a historic visit to China and met with the then head of the USSR Leonid Brezhnev. Nixon is also remembered as a rival to President John F. Kennedy. The young and successful Kennedy defeated Nixon in the 1960 presidential race. At that time, Kennedy lived in this house - he also served as his campaign headquarters.
“There are at least half a dozen houses here in Georgetown associated with John F. Kennedy or his relatives. Kennedy came from a very wealthy family - in terms of wealth, he ranks third or fourth among all American presidents. He chose this house as a gift for his wife when she gave birth to his daughter Caroline,” explains Bossong.
This is where Kennedy lived before he became president in 1961. Now this building is also privately owned. According to Bossong, the current owner is not happy about the appearance of film crews: “People take photos and pose at the houses of former presidents. Therefore, the owners can be understood, they are concerned about privacy and the possibility of unhindered passage at their own home.
In the sixties, there was nowhere to lean against the Kennedy house. The sidewalk and the road were surrounded by photographers and journalists. Already after Kennedy's assassination, his widow also faced press persistence. With the children, she lived in this estate nearby - just a few blocks from the house where she lived with her husband.
But there are no crowds near the Clintons' Washington home. Within half an hour, only a school bus, a garbage truck and a few cars passed here. Housekeeping staff say that Hillary Clinton is very rarely here.
“I don't know how much the Clintons paid for this house. Bossong says. “But it's in the embassy district, one of the most prestigious and expensive in Washington. Their house is actually very modest compared to many others.”
The main Clinton family home is still in New York, but they keep this one in case they need to spend the night in the capital. And if Hillary Clinton becomes the 45th President of the United States, she will have to settle in the White House.
One way or another, this house can become a record holder for the number of presidents who lived in it.
Jacqueline Kennedy and the White House Remodeling
I am very pleased to receive good feedback on my posts and I am extremely pleased that many people liked the first post about Jacqueline Kennedy. So I'm posting a sequel. And this time I will tell you about how the First Lady equipped the White House.
1.
There was one comment to the previous post about Jacqueline spending tax money on her outfits. So, you can’t even imagine how much taxpayer money went into the improvement of the White House. And I will tell you even more - part of this money was not even close to being provided for the arrangement of the residence of the President of the United States.
But, first things first.
You need to understand that everything that Jacqueline Kennedy did next to her husband, she did solely for the sake of him, her family and herself.
It's in that order.
She instilled in Jack Kennedy a sense of style and taught him how to dress, she equipped their house in Georgetown and, despite the fact that the house and its decoration cost a fortune, the absolute ascetic Jack always liked the house and he admitted that it was Jackie's merit.
2.
But the future president was to live not in Georgetown, but in the White House. According to Jackie herself, after the first visit to the White House, where Mamie Eisenhower gave her a tour, she had a "two-hour attack of tears." She understood that the budget was tiny, and much needed to be done.
3.
At that time, the White House was a pitiful sight - the Eisenhowers were ascetics, quite elderly people and not particularly interested in everyday life. The Kennedys, on the other hand, were young, rich and they had children, respectively, the house needed comfort. In the meantime, there were brass spittoons in the reception halls, in the guest rooms there were drinking fountains built into the walls, like in government institutions (by the way, in America they are now everywhere in old buildings, in hospitals).
In general, for Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of a soldier, accustomed to moving and Spartan conditions, it was ok, but for Kennedy, accustomed to a different standard of living, it was not at all the same.
3.
There were other interesting finds, for example, two hatches on either side of the door that led from the Oval Lounge to the hall on the second floor, there were two TV screens. The Eisenhowers liked to watch TV at dinner, but they had different movie tastes: the President watched westerns, his wife watched soap operas. They dined with trays of food on their knees, there was not much furniture. There was no central heating either, it was simply outdated, and the fireplaces were not used. Toilets, oddly enough, were also few, the guests were always looking for them on the first floor. A similar problem bothered the President on his first day of work: his aides found a note written by John F. Kennedy: “Jackie, let's declare war on toilet paper, damn it, where is it ?!”
4.
White House Chief Master of Ceremonies J.B. West wrote:
“The new first lady has changed the White House beyond recognition, subordinating it to her sophisticated lifestyle. But the most important change is the presence of Jacqueline Bouvier-Kennedy herself. Thirty years younger than any previous First Lady I have worked for, I found her to be an unusually versatile person: in public, elegant, haughty, full of self-respect, a real queen, and in everyday life simple and mischievous. She had an iron will and firmness, spoke in a quiet voice, was so gentle and insinuating that she easily imposed her will on people, and they did not even know about it.0069
5.
In addition to the army of designers, painters, plumbers and plasterers who remodeled the White House, patrons were attracted (after all, the allocated $50,000 was only enough for two weeks of work, for which they managed to make only rooms for the family, and for the front halls and office space, there was no longer enough money), as well as the Committee of Fine Arts at the White House, which was supposed to search for “authentic furniture from the time of the construction of the White House and raise funds for the purchase of said furniture as a gift to the White House.
Support from art historians and antiquarians was provided by Henry Dupont, a multimillionaire, creator of the Winterthur estate museum.
6.
This provided her with access to the entire world antiques market, useful contacts, as well as a lot of money from people who, for one reason or another, were not indifferent to the project to remake the White House. And Jackie turned it into a national project! Accordingly, she did not just furnish her home, she did a great job of remodeling the White House and turning it into a museum that future generations will inherit. All art donated to the White House could not be transferred to private collections, and future first ladies could not change anything in its decoration.
7.
Frenchman Stéphane Boudin became the designer of the White House, he had to be hidden as well as outfits from Givanchy. Therefore, Sister Parish and Dupont, as a consultant on art objects, officially took care of everything.
By the way, the famous table made from the frames of the ship "Rezalut", presented by Queen Victoria to President Rutherford Hayes as a sign of Anglo-American friendship, was restored precisely at the insistence of Jacqueline Kennedy.
And the table is now in the White House.
8.
Since Buden was carefully hidden from the press (after all, the fact that a foreigner was engaged in the arrangement of the President's residence was hidden from the Americans), there were problems with the implementation of his plans. For example, the blue fabric with an embroidered eagle for the upholstery of the chairs in the Oval Office was originally produced in an American factory, it turned out badly. The eagle looked like "a plucked chicken." Then Jackie asked Boudin to find another manufacturer and he was found ... in Paris. As a result, the fabric was delivered in the strictest secrecy to the embassy in Paris, and then by diplomatic mail to the United States.
9.
Jacqueline's personal charm also played a part, of course. So Walter Annenberg, later the US ambassador to London, was the proud owner of a $250,000 portrait of Benjamin Franklin. One day, he heard the soft voice of Jackie, whom he had never met before, on the phone: “Mr.
Annenberg, you are now the most prominent citizen of Philadelphia, like Benjamin Franklin once,” she said, “that's why I thought of you. Why shouldn't one great citizen of Philadelphia give the White House a portrait of another great Philadelphian? Republican Annenberg thought for several days, then said goodbye to a quarter of a million, and Franklin's portrait went to the White House.
10.
Personal charm, great connections and money work wonders. Therefore, the White House has deservedly become one of the symbols of America. In recollections of the receptions of that time, many emphasize that this was a new era in the life of the White House. And let Jackie spend on this national treasure amounts significantly exceeding the allocated budget, save on booze (no, alcohol was purchased expensive, but unfinished glasses, if they “did not have lipstick stains” could be re-submitted, and gifts to children who usually donated to charity, passed on to relatives and friends), she went down in history as the First Lady, who opened the White House to people and made them proud of him.
