The Washington Post - 02.11.2019

THE WASHINGTON POST

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019

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agreement with our neighbors at

McLean Gardens,” Lake said.

“They’ve formed a neighborhood

action committee which we par-

ticipate in so there’s direct com-

munication on an as-necessary ba-

sis.”

Roadside will preserve Fannie

Mae’s large front lawn as a park

and common area that could in-

clude an interactive fountain for

children to play in, a performance

Where We LiveMcLean Gardens in Northwest Washington

BY NINA ZAFAR

McLean Gardens is a hidden

gem in Northwest Washington

along Wisconsin Avenue, north of

the shops and restaurants in Ca-

thedral Commons. The small com-

munity takes its name from the

wealthy family of John Roll

McLean, who was an owner and

publisher of The Washington Post.

His daughter-in-law Evalyn once

owned the Hope Diamond. It’s

said she let her dog wear the pre-

cious jewel while romping around

the estate.

The federal government bought

the property from the estate’s

trustees in 1942 and built housing

for federal workers hired during

World War II. The government

sold the property in 1948. The

rental property was converted to

condominiums in 1981.

Today, the property is two com-

plexes — Vaughan Place at

McLean Gardens and McLean

Gardens. Bounded by Rodman

Street NW to the north, Idaho

Avenue to the south, Wisconsin

Avenue to the east and 39th Street

NW to the west, McLean Gardens

resembles a self-contained college

campus. The isolation is a major

draw for residents.

“In my mind, McLean Gardens

is the best of both worlds,” says

Lisa Mize, president of McLean

Gardens Condo Association.

“Once you drive off Wisconsin Av-

enue and you get into the neigh-

borhood, you don’t feel like you’re

in a city.”

“We have deer that wander

through the neighborhood. When

your windows are open you can

hear all the birds singing outside

and on a summer night you hear

the foxes and the cicadas in the

trees. It really feels like you’re in

the country in a way.. .but also

being able to find that energy

within a few blocks.”

Mize moved to McLean Gar-

dens more than 20 years ago. She

was drawn by the history, the old

buildings and the restful atmos-

phere.

“Every time I drive into McLean

Gardens and all that busyness

goes away,” she said. “It feels like

my blood pressure comes down 20

points. For me, it’s such a stark

contrast and I really appreciate

the peacefulness and serenity

here.”

McLean Gardens also offers a

strong sense of community. Both

Vaughan Place and McLean Gar-

dens are pet-friendly, with most

residents owning at least one cat

or dog. The condo association

hosts jazz on the lawn, barbecues

in the summer at the communal

pool and holiday parties in the

community center’s ballroom.

Fannie Mae’s former headquar-

ters were next door to McLean

Gardens. After Fannie Mae an-

nounced its move downtown,

Roadside Development acquired

the property in 2016. Residents

worry about how the changes will

affect their idyllic neighborhood.

“I am concerned about the con-

gestion and the traffic,” says Kathy

Thomas, a nearly 20-year resident

of McLean Gardens. “I feel re-

signed to the changes, but work-

ing with Roadside is the best pos-

sible scenario we could have be-

cause I trust them to do what’s in

everyone’s best interest.”

Richard Lake, a founding part-

ner with the company, has been

working with the condo board to

address residents’ questions and

concerns.

“We entered into a cooperation

stage for concerts, art displays or

movies. There will be a Wegmans

grocery store, a child-care center

and a health club. Restaurants

and retail are still being negotiat-

ed.

“We don’t want it to be a town

center and take away the energy

from Wisconsin Avenue, we actu-

ally want to help the energy on

Wisconsin Avenue,” Lake says.

According to Lake, the six resi-

dential buildings within the

planned village will be smaller,

boutique-style apartments. Most

will be rentals, but one could be-

come condos. Amenities could in-

clude a greenhouse on the roof for

organic farming, reflecting pools,

music rooms and spaces for activi-

ties. Apartments will range from

one-bedroom to three-bedroom

units, with 8 percent allocated for

inclusionary zoning.

Increased traffic is one of the

residents’ biggest concerns. Lake

concedes that their concerns are

valid but believes traffic won’t be

as bad as they fear.

“Fannie Mae here employed

about 3,000 workers, so that was

peak in the morning and peak in

the evening as they were leaving,”

Lake said. “Our development will

have a fraction of that as far as

employees go.”

“We’re looking into introducing

a shuttle that will take people from

our property to the Metro,” Lake

said.

Living there: No properties are

for sale in McLean Gardens. Ac-

cording to real estate agent Lou

Vivas at Viva the Life Properties,

nine properties were sold in the

past year. They ranged from a

four-bedroom, two-bathroom du-

plex for $681,800 to a 506-square-

foot studio that sold for $245,000.

There are 14 units available to rent

at Vaughan Place at McLean Gar-

dens, ranging from studios ($1,991

to $2,512 a month), to two-bed-

room, two-bathroom units ($3,133

to $4,013 a month). One-bedroom

units are available for between

$2,354 and $3,129 a month.

Transportation: The closest

Metro station is Tenleytown on

the Red Line, about a 20-minute

walk away. The N4 and N6 bus

lines stop nearby.

Schools: Eaton Elementary,

Hardy Middle, Wilson High.

[email protected]

A diamond

that hopes

to preserve

its luster

Historic oasis in D.C.

awaits new neighbors

PHOTOS BY SARAH L. VOISIN/THE WASHINGTON POST

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pedestrians on Newark Street, which bisects the neighborhood; apartment buildings in McLean Gardens

began as World War II housing for federal workers; a neighborhood Starbucks will be joined in 2021 by a Wegmans and other new retail

outlets; and an antique call box on Wisconsin Avenue shows an image of Friendship, the historic estate that McLean Gardens replaced.

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To see more photos of McLean
Gardens, go to washington-
post.com/realestate.