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As more real estate developments pop up around Alexandria, many residents can appreciate the historic homes and nostalgic buildings that are preserved or renovated.
Consider the design of the former Olde Colony Motor Lodge on North Washington Street in Old Town: The motel’s architects originally designed its registration building in 1959 based on a model of the restored 1782 Benjamin Waller House at Colonial Williamsburg.
That building, at 1011 Washington St., is now a renovated Old Town North masterpiece that combines historic exterior preservation with modern interior amenities — and rare, spacious living.
In 2004, the property became part of the Liberty Row condominium development. The Olde Colony Motor Lodge is long gone, but the registration building remains — it has been completely renovated inside while retaining its original historic facade.
Owned by Brad and Karen Gable, who purchased the dwelling referred to as “The Manor House” in 2012, it is now on the market listed with Century 21 Redwood Realty for $2.9 million.
Historic with Modern Twists
With a sophisticated architectural design and historic charm, the Gables’ home reflects impeccable workmanship, which is reflected throughout all three finished levels.
“The Gables have masterfully retained the home’s original historic façade while also elegantly updating its interior over the years,” said Anne Albright, Realtor, Century 21 Redwood Realty. “I love that they have designed and decorated the property to give it a contemporary look while also keeping that classic Old Town feel.”
According to Brad Gable, he and his wife, Karen, initially discovered the property seven years ago.
“We wanted something closer to 'new and spacious' at the time, but also located in Old Town,” he said, noting the challenge in a historic area rife with homes known for their narrow stairways, tiny bedrooms and low ceilings.
“The house is similar to where we lived previously, a newer home, and features a two-car, attached garage … there’s almost nothing like that in Old Town,” he said. “Between the garage, the private yard and condo [association] perks, these unique elements are what initially attracted us to the property.”
Karen, who grew up in Alexandria and attended Fort Hunt High School, appreciates the home’s historic exterior and modern interior amenities. She has fond memories of the property’s origins.
“Growing up in the area, I remember my family would travel to Washington, D.C. by way of the [George Washington Memorial] Parkway,” she said. “I clearly remember driving past the property, especially when it served as the reception house for the Old Colony Lodge. Anyone who has lived in the area for a while, they are probably quite familiar with The Manor House … it’s pretty nostalgic for just about anyone who grew up in Alexandria.”
A Peek Inside
As part of the home’s charm, brick walkways wind through a lush garden and cozy patio. The professionally landscaped portion at the front of the home is welcoming and enhanced by a brick walkway and iron gate that reflects the historic design of Old Town.
Inside, visitors will see gleaming hardwood floors and decorative crown molding, which continues throughout the home. The living room is accessorized with a crystal chandelier, three tray ceilings, a gas-burning fireplace with an intricate mantel, surround and marble facing and a set of French doors with lunettes that lead to an outdoor seating area.
The design of the gourmet kitchen features Viking professional appliances, including a six-burner stove with cooling racks, a large center island, two dishwashers, a trash compactor, an additional oven, microwave and plenty of room for seating by the gas-burning fireplace. The spacious dining room sets a sophisticated mood with an elegant crystal chandelier, faux pearl painted ceiling and distinctive window treatments.
One of the Gables’ favorite areas of the home is a bright, inviting sunroom, which boasts plantation shutters, a large bay window seat and a one-of-a-kind painted mural that exudes the feeling of “sitting on the coast of Italy,” Karen noted.
Off the foyer is a sweeping staircase leading to a spacious master suite that features a coffered ceiling, custom cabinets with granite countertops, a mini-refrigerator, custom shades and a large, walk-in closet. The master bath features double vanities with custom sinks, a double-sized jetted tub and separate shower.
There are three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms, one shared (with a chandelier and clawfoot tub) and one private. Each bedroom in the home has custom window treatments and closet organizers.
Finally, the home’s lower level includes an expansive entertainment area featuring a fully equipped wet bar with appliances, including a mini fridge, ice maker and wine cooler. There is also a large seating area, carpeted media room with surround sound, Sony projector and a movie screen. The lower level has a guest room and bath, a laundry room, a storage area and access to the backyard.
And for those oenophiles out there, the Gables recently added an exclusive wine cellar that holds 1,100-plus bottles and features adjustable lighting. The lush design of a gold leaf-finished cove ceiling “gives the room a truly European feel,” Albright noted.
“The property has what seems like never-ending, livable space, as well as an attached, two-car garage–practically unheard of in Old Town,” said Albright said. “The Gables’ have kept this home in beautiful condition, from head to toe.”
The Rise of the Olde Colony Motor Lodge
The Olde Colony Motor Lodge was designed to emulate buildings and structures at well-known sites in Colonial Williamsburg and the University of Virginia.
According to City records, the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, which began in 1927, had quite a profound effect on Alexandria, with far-reaching impacts. In fact, reactions in Alexandria to the Williamsburg restoration project were multifaceted. They ranged from a desire for outright imitation to attempts to compete directly with Williamsburg for the dollars of tourists visiting 18th-century sites and ultimately to a substantial emulation of the Williamsburg approach to the restoration of Alexandria buildings, the City records state.
Photo Courtesy of Cardboard America
By the 1950s, Alexandrians were so familiar with Colonial Williamsburg that the expansion of visitor lodging there was news that was vital to Alexandrians. According to City records, the Alexandria Gazette frequently printed notices of excursions to Colonial Williamsburg by groups and individuals such as the Boy Scouts, honeymooning couples and others.
Flash forward to the construction of the Olde Colony Motor Lodge in 1959, which emu-lated the 1782 Benjamin Waller House at Colonial Williamsburg. The Lodge’s swimming pool gazebo is designed to reflect the Gunpowder Magazine on the Green at Colonial Williamsburg. And a serpentine brick wall surrounded the grounds of the motel as well as the pool, which according to the Gazette, “duplicated the serpentine brick walls de-signed by Thomas Jefferson and built at the University of Virginia.”
The project architect, Charles Pearson, was an “authority on the serpentine walls, as well as on Virginia.” Pearson was the principal designer in the Saunders firm in Alexandria and served as a member of the Board of Architectural Review in the 1950s. From the late 1940s through the early 1980s, Joseph Saunders and Associates (later Saunders and Pearson) was a prolific architectural firm in Alexandria, and in addition to motels, their work included local churches, office buildings, schools and residential structures.
A 1963 motel brochure describes the Old Colony Motor Lodge: “Its 11 buildings laid out to simulate a colonial estate, Olde Colony captures the unique flavor of the 18th-century manor life. All this while reflecting the cherished traditions of old South hospitality, warmth and friendliness.”
The motel opened to great fanfare in the early 1960s, and the official hostess for the event was Miss Virginia of 1960, accompanied by several airline stewardesses. The Gazette published numerous articles related to the opening, which chronicled the construction, amenities and furnishings of the complex.
In terms of the building typology, the Olde Colony Motor Lodge was typical of motel construction practices in the late 1950s in tourist-oriented destinations. What set its architecture apart from that of many other chain motels that were built during that same time period was the conscious reliance on historic building symbolism that sought to capture the perceived or desired historic architectural character of Alexandria.
