Walking down a charming section of Florida Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.’s northwest corridor, Seneca House makes a different and brave choice.
An electrically colorful and compelling full-façade mural on the east side of the building was designed amid the pandemic to be a beacon of hope. The project’s developer, Patrick Bloomfield of P.T. Blooms Development, describes his inspiration, “The mural plays off a typical American theme of making wishes while blowing off dandelion seeds. Especially in uncertain times, we all hope and wish for positive outcomes. By making the ‘wish’ in black and white and then having the dandelion seeds turn to color and then mix into the background, the art graphically shows the subject’s wish come true.”
The artist who executed Bloomfield’s vision is a renowned muralist and painter, Hamilton Glass. In a microdocumentary about the creation of the mural, Glass examined the uniqueness of public and murals, describing the exercise “creative placement. They catch your attention … it shows uniqueness and it’s something the community can get behind.”
The benefits of public art are well-documented. Public art continues to transform the built environment into something more activated, inclusive, engaging and beautiful. It gives the community the opportunity to celebrate place, identity and ideas while inviting reflection.
Seneca House’s stand-out mural offers an unexpected sensory element that introduces movement and color to the block: it is defining.
By literally living in public art, Seneca House offers its residents a unique sense of belonging.
Originally constructed in 1910, Seneca House is a historic row home converted to a boutique condominium community. featuring 10 residences. In keeping with the development’s distinctive flair, each residence has its own unique floor plan, features and finishes. Select features include custom walnut bathroom vanities, several residences with dedicated outdoor and workspace and 6-inch white oak hardwood flooring.
Sitting atop Seneca House is a 1,338-square-foot penthouse. You are welcomed into the residence by a custom glass block wall along the entryway. The penthouse features three private outdoor spaces, 11-inch ceilings and all Thermador kitchen appliances, including a 36-inch gas range with concealed exhaust hood. There are two bedrooms, each with its own private roof deck. The primary suite offers two spacious walk-in closets. The two full bathrooms feature a Kohler soaking tub and frameless glass shower with built-in soft ambient light, respectively.
From the primary roof deck space, penthouse residents can admire the mural and sweeping views of the city, with ample space to dine, lounge, garden, practice yoga or host large groups thanks to a built-in outdoor entertainment kitchen, private hose bib and gas hookups.
Seneca House’s penthouse is offered at $1,299,900. One- and two-bedroom residences are available starting from $499,900.
The residences are listed with Danai Mattison Sky and Valerie Grange of Long & Foster Real Estate. For more information, please visit the residence’s website.
Written by Caroline Gould, UrbanPace.
