McLean, Va., house with garden oasis lists for $3.5 million

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In 2011, when Leo Brooks initially went with his real estate agent to see this assets in McLean, Va., he did not go into the property appropriate absent. Rather, he wandered to the back again of the residence, where by he was smitten.

“I walked via their facet gate, came into the yard,” he mentioned. “It was just astounding. It was summertime, and [there were] all these lovely vegetation. They experienced this magnificent pool and a non-public environment. Proper then, I instructed myself, ‘I do not know what it is heading to appear like on the inside of, but it’s likely to be tough not to choose this, just based mostly on how the gardens search.’ ”

Distinguished homes for sale in the D.C. location

McLean, Va., property | The 4-bed room, 4-rest room, 5,000-square-foot household on just underneath an acre is shown at $3.5 million. (Nathan Stewart/C. Gauthier Pictures)

The household, which he phone calls a “cottage in the woods,” was created in 1963 but has been expanded above the a long time. The gabled roofs give it a storybook visual appeal.

Five many years following acquiring the residence, Leo and his spouse, Debbie, undertook a renovation of the house and gardens. They hired McHale Landscape Style for the exterior and Akseizer Style and design Group for the interior.

“What’s great is when you have people that are impressive but you can also collaborate with,” Debbie claimed.

Much of the exterior renovation included uncovering and refreshing. Azaleas wrapped close to the swimming pool, concealing it. Huge oaks and poplars ringed the residence, obscuring a perspective of the property.

“You couldn’t see the character of the dwelling since there were being so numerous trees in entrance,” Leo mentioned.

Ten large trees had been eliminated. The azaleas and other crops have been transplanted to other sections of the backyard. The English gardens have been laid out in a much more formal arrangement. Debbie explained only about 40 to 45 percent of the plants are new.

The biggest problem was “trying to marry the previous with the new,” Anthony Cusat, who is a senior landscape architect with McHale and led the renovation, informed Property & Layout journal. McHale gained an award of difference for the job in 2019 from the Landscape Contractors Affiliation of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.

With plants staggered to bloom at various times, the Brookses have an at any time-altering landscape as effectively as a secluded oasis.

“It’s really private,” Debbie explained. “Wherever we could see an adjacent rooftop, we extra another tree.”

McHale also set a fire in a gazebo on the grounds, designed a massive courtyard with a fountain on the side of the residence, and produced what Leo phone calls his “man cave” — an outside kitchen area with a grill, refrigerator, television and higher-prime seating.

Akseizer Structure Team helped renovate the kitchen area and the owner’s suite. The owner’s bedroom has a fire and a 15-foot vaulted ceiling with wooden trusses. Glass double doors open to a protected deck with computerized screens. The rest room is finished in a model Debbie phone calls “British formal.” It has a heated floor, double vanity, individual shower and soaking tub, a hearth, and a television. Big dressing spots have constructed-in shelving and cabinetry.

The 4-bedroom, 4-toilet, 5,000-sq.-foot residence on just beneath an acre is stated at $3.5 million.

858 Canal Dr., McLean, Va.

  • Bedrooms/loos: 4/4
  • Approximate square-footage: 5,000
  • Good deal sizing: .92 acre
  • Characteristics: The 1963 dwelling has been expanded about the many years. The present-day homeowners renovated the exterior and interior, choosing McHale Landscape Design and style and Akseizer Structure Group. The grounds consist of English gardens, a courtyard, heated swimming pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen area, and a gazebo with a fire. The two-stage home has four fireplaces. The 3-car garage is connected.
  • Listing agent: W. Ted Gossett and Joe Kotula, Washington Fantastic Homes