Washington D.C. Owner Pays $28 Million for Historic DC Home, Largest Estate in Town
Owner of NFL team Washington Commanders, Joshua Harrisand his wife, Marjorie Harrisbought the historic Halcyon House in Washington, DC, for $28 million in an off-market deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.
That’s the highest price ever paid for a home in the nation’s capital, surpassing the previous record set by a Fox News anchor. Bret BaierThe 2024 estate sold for $25 million.
The Washington Business Journal first reported the private sale on Jan. 14.
According to Georgetowner, about six of the most qualified potential buyers or their representatives visited the house before making the final purchase.
The Georgetown house is 30,000 square meters and has a large garden and pool. It is located on half an acre and has 12 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms.
Salesman, scientist Sachiko Kunoshe bought a property with her ex-husband, Dr. Ryuji Uenofor $11 million in 2011.
In recent years, Kuno has used the building as the headquarters of his non-profit organization that supports social entrepreneurs.
“I am happy that I have been the manager of such a special place for 15 years, and it has done so much good for entrepreneurs,” Kuno said in a statement sent to the WSJ.
Mark it again Hunter McFadden of Compass represents the seller, too Daniel Heider of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty represented the buyer.
This isn’t the first time Kuno and Ueno have sold a DC property for millions. Their non-profit organization, the S&R Foundation, is headquartered at 1623 28TH ST NW. The couple sold the estate to the foundation for 37.2 million dollars in 2024-technically, that makes it an expensive sale, but not as a residence, rather a headquarters.
About consumers
In addition to the Commanders, Harris also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
He is the founder of the investment firm 26North Partners and the founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management.
A spokesperson for Harris told the WSJ that Harris grew up in DC and spends a lot of time there because of his ownership of the Commanders.
A spokesman said Harris and his wife plan to restore the Halcyon House and restore it to a single-family home, while maintaining its historic value.
A spokesperson confirmed that the Harrises’ primary residence will continue to be in Miami.
Harris reportedly bought his Miami mansion for $32 million in 2021.
The 9,363-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa, built in 2005, has nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms.
The owner of Commanders has a place in New York City.
In 2017, Harris reportedly purchased the 21,000-square-foot Dommerich Mansion for $52 million, and later converted it into a single-family home.
The limestone-clad building has 3,350 square feet of outdoor space, 15-foot-high ceilings, and seven stories.
History of Halcyon House
Halcyon House is located on the west side of Georgetown.
The home—listed on the National Register of Historic Places—was built in the late 1700s Benjamin Stoddertfirst secretary of the navy and close friend of George Washington.
Over the years, it was run by Stoddert’s daughter, Elizabeth Ewelland her husband, Thomas; Albert Clemensnephew of Mark Twain; again Dorothy W. Sterlingthe wife of the American ambassador to Sweden.
Georgetown University purchased the property in 1961 and used it as a dormitory.
In 1966, Georgetown sold Halcyon House Edmund Dreyfuss and Blake Construction, and was owned by the Dreyfuss family for nearly 46 years.
Sculptor John Dreyfusswho oversaw extensive renovations and reconstructions of the house and gardens in the 1980s and 1990s—including the construction of a studio and lower hall—was recognized for his work with an award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“An unparalleled landmark for the city’s sights, Halcyon House has hosted many wonderful events for more than 20 years, including community events, events for industry companies and visitors from all over the world, and charitable causes,” John Dreyfuss told Georgetowner in 2016.
“The restoration of Halcyon House … means a lot to everyone in the Dreyfuss family. We were committed to doing a difficult job structurally and artistically befitting this Government building. Every effort was made to restore the interior of the historic gardens.”
