On the Market: A historic Adams Morgan co-op with Meridian Park views

According to James M. Goode’s beautifully illustrated and highly informative “Best Addresses: A Century of Washington’s Distinguished Apartment Houses” (published by Smithsonian Books), the National Mall isn’t the only place to see – and appreciate – our iconic monuments.

Throughout the city are landmarks of a different kind: grand apartment buildings whose eclectic architecture and features have enriched Washington’s visual texture and vibe for more than a century.

The Georgian Revival at 1661 Crescent Place NW belongs to this select company.

Built in 1927 and designed by architect Joseph Younger (whose portfolio includes the Kennedy-Warren on Connecticut Avenue and the Sixth Presbyterian Church on 16th Street), the six-story brick building was once home to many Washington notables, including Senator Thomas Gore and Edith Kermit Roosevelt.

Its trim exterior with colonnaded green space on either side of the entrance gives way to a grand step-down lobby decorated with columns, French doors and Jacobean-style chairs and sofas. Toward the back are two elevators lined with zinc panels embellished with a Greek key border.

The building houses 53 cooperative apartments whose expansive floor plans lend themselves to gracious living and entertaining. It features 24-hour desk service, a roof deck and communal laundry.

Apartment 305, a highly desirable corner unit with three exposures, offers 2,200 square feet of living space and includes three bedrooms, one office/den, two full baths and an electric fireplace. It is one of the largest units in the building and is on the market for $1.199 million. The monthly co-op fee is $3,693.60 and includes covered parking and extra storage.

The vintage elegance starts at the front double door where a dark wood jalousie screen, once used for ventilation in the old days before air conditioning, is now an attractive design element. Off the entry foyer is the kitchen and formal dining room, as well access to the living room and more private family quarters.

The galley kitchen has highly polished parquet flooring and light wood cabinets with a contrasting rough-hewn stone backsplash. Stainless appliances include a Samsung French door refrigerator/freezer; Frigidaire Gallery oven with gas range and GE microwave. Tucked off the cooking and prep area is a breakfast nook with a built-in bookcase and enclosed laundry space with a stacked Maytag washer/dryer.

The kitchen opens into the dining room, which in turn reveals the living room, set off by a freestanding electric fireplace with traditional wood mantel.

Off the living room is the library with built-in bookcases and a view of one of the side gardens. Next door is the first of the two hall-baths with white penny tile floors, a porcelain over cast-iron tub and pedestal sink – both with original fixtures.

The master bedroom has a wall of windows and two large closets. It leads back into the main hallway off which there is an office/den, another hall bath and a bedroom with extensive built-in cabinetry and shelving.

With 20 oversized windows, the apartment is abundantly lit and the generously sized rooms flow from one to the next through arches or French doors (some folding). Other finishings include elaborate crown molding, ceiling medallions, subtly textured plaster ceilings and original strip oak paneled flooring.

Located on a charming side street off 16th Street and directly across from Meridian Park, the pet-friendly building has a walking score of 92 and is conveniently near Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter and the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood.