River House POTOMAC, MARYLAND U N I T E D STAT E S
River House Sited at the top of a gentle knoll on the banks of the Potomac River sits an elegant château clad in French limestone. This mansion was the formal estate of Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor. The main parcel and structure were acquired from the King & Queen in 2000. Subsequently, the owner has thoughtfully acquired six adjacent parcels furthering to beautify and expand this grand and private 15-acre riverfront parcel. The estate is a collaboration between renowned architect, John Ike, designer, Geoffrey Bradfield, and Horizon Builders. The three worked effortlessly together to create this impressive fourstory mansion. The entry to the property is through gates set seamlessly into the limestone columns of the front wall and flanked by gas lanterns. The gates open to a verdant half-mile drive. The cobblestone-lined drive provides access to the guard house, manager’s house, guest house and garage, and main residence. The drive terminates into the impressive granite cobblestone motorcourt of the château. The main residence is sited in the same location and footprint as King Hussein and Queen Noor’s original home, although the library’s fireplace with its ancient marble veining is the only remaining remnant of the original structure. By keeping the original footprint intact, John Ike was able to preserve a proximity to the river that would otherwise be impossible to achieve today. The original structure was doubled in height from two stories to four, and two large octagonal solariums were added to each end of the structure. The residence was constructed with French milled limestone and a slate Mansard roof punctuated with limestone dormers. The entry to the main residence is through custom wrought iron doors and into a vestibule. The vestibule opens up to a two-story reception hall with coffered ceilings and a full height 24-foot limestone fireplace. The fireplace is open to the adjacent living room. The living room is double height with elegant interior balconies on each side and a wall of windows overlooking the Potomac River. The view from this room is a sweeping and tranquil expanse of our Nation’s River and undisturbed parkland beyond. The main level is expansive and features the striking formal and public entertaining space. The living room at the heart of the house effortlessly flows and connects to the dining room and library. The southeast wing of the residence houses the family room, true commercial grade chef’s kitchen, and breakfast solarium. The northwest wing contains the gym, spa lounge, and office. Each room on this level has thoughtfully composed views of the river and natural splendor beyond.
The second level and top floor of this house offers private bedroom suites, a reprise from the formality of the main level. The second level features four bedrooms each with en-suite baths. The master suite encompasses the entire top floor. The master bedroom features floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a private terrace with a commanding bird’s-eye view of the Potomac. Attached to the master suite is a separate sitting room, dressing room, and two full spa inspired baths. Completing this floor is a large office with built-in bookcases and an imposing marble fireplace. The lower level of the residence walks out to the rear yard and offers a large mahogany-paneled club room, wine cellar, cinemaquality theater installed in 2017. In addition to the family and entertaining space on the lower level, there is back-of-house space for staff operations and building mechanicals. The guest house and garage are connected to the main house by a poolside loggia and the mid-level granite-cobbled motorcourt. At this grade, the garage features six windowed garage bays designed in an Old-World carriage house style and open up for additional indoor-outdoor entertaining space for large gatherings. There are additional garage bays in the main residence and on the lower level of the guest house. An elegant spiral staircase leads to the top floor of the guest house. The guest house is private and well appointed. It contains two bedroom suites, a separate kitchen and generous living and dining rooms. There are two additional structures on the property, a small gate house at the entrance and a manager’s house. The manager and staff residence are located on the north end of the property providing the upmost privacy. The house includes a formal reception room, dining room, kitchen, two offices, and a spacious conference room. Located in the same building through a private and discrete entrance are two staff bedrooms. The gate house is just behind the main gates to the estate and provides excellent communication and security. The design of the grounds, conceived by DCA Landscape Architects, are landscaped in an 18th-century style known as jardin à l’anglaise or English garden. This style lends itself well to the property considering its siting adjacent to protected parkland on each side of the Potomac River’s banks. The property and its grounds are pristine and meticulously cared for, evident before one crosses through the entry gate. The grounds boast an array of activities with multiple motorcourts, a sports court, formal lawns and gardens, and pool overlooking the natural expanse. The 15 acres provide privacy and space that is unrivaled and unavailable elsewhere in the Washington region. Newly Priced at $34,900,000
Michael Rankin Managing Partner TTR Sotheby’s International Realty m +1 202 271 3344 | o +1 202 333 1212 michael.rankin@sothebysrealty.com
Heather Corey Senior Vice President TTR Sotheby’s International Realty m +1 703 989 1183 | o +1 703 310 6800 hcorey@ttrsir.com
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