Chapman Stables has undergone many transformations. Once a horse stable, then a coal yard and, most recently, a parking garage, the 1916-era building is now a stunning example of adaptive re-use—a 114-unit pet-friendly condo complex that seamlessly blends vintage architectural elements with contemporary design, finishings and high-tech efficiency.
Located at 57 N St NW and listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, the horseshoe-shaped structure features a central courtyard visible from many of the condominiums, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Capitol and Washington Monument, and a glass-enclosed interior pavilion with fully equipped kitchen, dining and gathering spaces. By the end of the year, Republic Cantina will be the first of the retail tenants to move in on the ground level.
The award-winning firm of
Studio Twenty Seven Architecture has maintained both the equestrian and light-industrial look and feel of the Stables’s heritage. Original brickwork on the façade continues inside to the horsehead accent walls and herringbone flooring in the lobby. Steel beams from the building’s garage days focus the eye on the soaring entryway ceilings and floating staircase that leads to the apartments above. (There are also elevators.)
Unit 308, in the building’s historic wing, is an approximately 700 square foot one-bedroom, the one-bath unit offered at $539,900 (monthly condo fee: $344.79). An oversized whitewashed door opens into a sleek kitchen with glossy white J Suss cabinetry, quartz Silestone counter, and stainless Bosch appliances. A moveable wood kitchen island (created exclusively for Chapman Stables) adds a rustic touch as does the whitewashed barn siding on the accent walls (which also hide the HVAC).
To the right of the kitchen is an ultra-modern bath with floating white vanity, a water-saving Kohler commode, and a huge walk-in shower with frameless glass doors and Grohe fixtures.
A walk-in closet with an exposed brick wall connects the bath to the bedroom; it also houses a stacked Bosch washer/dryer. Transom windows between the bedroom and living room and a northwest exposure bring in extra light while barn doors lend a little extra privacy between these two spaces.
At around 1059 square feet, Unit 425, a “flat” in the new wing, is listed at $854,900 with a monthly condo fee of $570.40. It has two bedrooms and two baths, separated by a spacious kitchen/living/dining area with glass corner windows. Like every unit in the complex, it features Bosch appliances, J Suss cabinets, and Kohler and Grohe fixtures. Here, however, the master bath includes a Duravit soaking tub.