District Home Magazine June 2014 | Page 25

Pierce School loftS Historic School + Modern Amenities = Luxury Living The Pierce School has enjoyed a long and interesting history in addition to occupying an important location in the city, near the H Street, NE corridor. Built in 1893, the school was alma mater to thousands of children until it closed eight decades later in 1973. The building itself is very much in the architectural spirit of celebrated German-born architect Adolf Cluss, who was responsible for the design of more than 90 structures in DC in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of which were public schools like the Pierce School. A notable example of Cluss’s commercial work is the nearby Eastern Market, designed in 1873. Like most large-scale buildings of its time, the Pierce School was constructed entirely of red brick, which was manufactured locally and plentiful. he 23,000 square foot property has been masterfully transformed into a luxury complex complete with all the modern amenities of a first class resort. The premier unit is a magnificent penthouse spanning approximately 9,500 square feet. It is equipped with its own movie theater, 50-foot ceilings and an enormous roof deck offering panoramic views of the city. This building also includes nine loft apartments that have been renovated to exceed contemporary expectations. T Each unit has been completely updated with stainless steel appliances including dishwasher, built-in microwave, side-by-side refrigerator, electric self-cleaning range, a front-loading washer/dryer and everything else needed to create a sumptuous living experience. The countertops are made of 3/4" thick white Carrera marble, reminiscent of the fine materials and period in which the school was built. The loft apartments vary in size ranging from 1,115 to 2,200 total square feet of living/work space. The 14' ceilings and light emanating from the 8' tall, 4' wide windows create a vast, open and airy feel unlike any other traditional apartment. Many vestiges of the school’s history are found in each of the units including the original 110 year-old hardwood floors, chalkboards and school clock…even the American flag. All nine loft units are occupied and have been rented at market rates ever since their conversion in 2005.The property offers a beautifully landscaped rear garden with a 38,000 gallon heated swimming pool and hot tub, along with a complete fitness and spa center. The old cloakrooms have been converted into master bathrooms for each of the loft apartments. The new bathrooms are outfitted with a built-in ceramic tiled shower, claw foot soaking tub, and dual vanities with vessel sinks to give each bathroom an industrial sensibility evoking the high quality and craftsmanship original to the building itself. While the property is replete with period details, it also has the latest in wireless Internet technology provided by DC Access. Residents can use the Internet while in their apartments or while enjoying entertaining guests in any of the outdoor spaces. TTR Sotheby’s International Realty The Rob & Brent Group | www.robandbrent.com 1506 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Brent Jackson 202.263.9200 Robert Sanders 202.744.6463 Peter Lane 202.664.9202 ISSUE N O. 6 25