350 M St. NW) and the Yellow House (1430 33rd St. NW), says Kim Williams, an architectural historian in the District’s Historic Preservation Office.
Greek Revival (1825 to 1860):
A logical outgrowth of the Federal and Georgian periods, Greek Revival is noted for its severity, Moeller says. The houses are built on a bold scale, with a relative lack of ornamentation.
In the D.C. area, Greek Revivals often have gabled roofs with a low pitch and entry porches supported by columns. The Athenaeum of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association and the Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, with its eight-column portico, capture the style.
Gothic Revival (1840 to 1880):
Gothic Revivals often have windows that extend into gables with a pointed arch.
The windows may have arch shapes or window crowns. Many of the houses include front porches with narrow columns and arches. Some houses are asymmetrical and have towers.
President Lincoln’s Cottage, on the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home in the District, would be considered an example of Carpenter Gothic— a modest version of the style built mostly of wood rather than stone, Moeller says.
The Chastleton on 16th Street NW is a condominium building in the Gothic Revival style.
Italianate (1840 to 1885):
These houses are several stories and feature eaves with decorated brackets. The wood-sided house at 1312 U St. SE in Anacostia is one. A good example of an Italianate row is Cooke’s Row in Georgetown, says Williams, of the D.C. Historic Preservation Office.
Two majestic Italianate structures are the Bayne-Fowle House in Alexandria and the Brentmoor mansion in Warrenton.
Neoclassical (1895 to 1950):
This is the iconic architecture that immediately comes to mind when you say “D.C.” — the U.S. Supreme Court building, the National Gallery of Art and, of course, the Jefferson Memorial.
The full-height front porch with the classical columns is most striking. Neoclassical buildings might also have roof-line balustrades and side-wing porches.
Two great examples of residences in this style are the Meridian House (1630 Crescent Place NW) and its neighbor, the White-Meyer House (1624 Crescent Place NW) — both designed by architect John Russell Pope, says Andrus of the National Register of Historic Places.
The Causeway, also known as the Tregaron Estate, built in 1912 in Cleveland Park, is an example of Neoclassical Revival.
Victorian (mid-1800s to early 1900s):
From the tall Northeast rowhouses with turrets to the wraparound porches in Takoma Park, Victorian elements are widespread.
“A lot of people think of gingerbread houses,” says Marc Schappell, managing partner at Washington Fine Properties and a board member of the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
But he and other experts point out that the era has distinct styles, including Second Empire, Queen Anne, Stick and Romanesque Revival.
The most distinguishing feature of Second Empire homes might be their dual-pitched hipped roof with dormer windows. You can see this at the Carlheim mansion in Leesburg and the General Oliver Otis Howard House on the grounds of Howard University.
There are also many examples throughout the Logan Circle neighborhood, says Brierton, the historic preservation specialist.
Romanesque Revival homes are known for their “heaviness” and are often made of stone, Moeller says. They are characterized by round arches — which can be over windows or used for porch supports — and towers with conical roofs.
The house at 408A St. SE in Capitol Hill and the row that spans 1000 to 1008 Pennsylvania Avenue SE are good examples of the Romanesque Revival style, Williams says.
Queen Anne elements include the wraparound front porch, second-story porches or balconies; classical columns; bay windows; painted balustrades; and steeply pitched wooden or slate roofs. Examples are everywhere, including the northwest arc of Logan Circle and in Capitol Hill.
Other interesting Queen Annes include the William W. Early House in Brandywine, the John C. Motter House in Frederick and the Mullett Rowhouses on the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
