The Patterson Mansion is a historic home that sits at 15 Dupont Circle, NW in Washington, DC. It is the only surviving example of the grand mansions that once graced the capital’s Dupont Circle. It exemplifies the neoclassic Italianate style so popular in the Gilded Age of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It was built by Robert Wilson Patterson, editor of the Chicago Tribune newspaper, and used by him and his family for entertaining when he was in the city. Completed in 1903, it was deeded to the American Red Cross in 1948. The Red Cross sold it to the Washington Club in 1951. The structure was renovated and a small, two-story addition added in 1955. The mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 5, 1972. It is a contributing property to both the Dupont Circle Historic District (added to the National Register in 1978) and the Massachusetts Avenue Historic District (added to the National Register in 1974).
In February 2014, real estate developer SB-Urban agreed to buy the Patterson Mansion if the city approved its plan to subdivide the structure into “micro-unit” apartments (units 400 square feet (37 m2) or smaller). The rehabilitation will include: cleaning, repointing, and repairing of the exterior masonry and terra cotta; repair and repainting of the windows; and rehabilitation of the slate roof. The main stair and major rooms on the piano nobile will remain intact. The bedrooms and servants’ quarters on the upper floors will be slightly altered to accommodate new living units.
The non-contributing Annex will be demolished and replaced with an addition of striking contemporary design. The addition differs from the Patterson House in design and materials but reflects the same architectural rigor as the Patterson House. It is separated from the Patterson House by 14 feet, allowing the roof and chimneys of the house to remain visible, and linked to the house by a two-story connection set well back from the P Street sidewalk that also contains a new accessible entrance. The project will enhance the landmark Patterson House and give it a vital new use that will ensure its long-term viability.
The project is expected to be completed in 2016.
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