Colony Hill Historic District

Colony Hill represents an outstanding example of a twentieth century planned community in Washington, D.C. with many Colonial Revival style homes.

In the 1930s, Colony Hill – near Reservoir and Foxhall roads – emerged as a distinctive suburban development built in an architectural style that echoed the Georgian and Federal styles of the early American nation. In the decade between 1931 and 1941, notable real estate firm Boss & Phelps collaborated with renowned architect Horace Peaslee, landscape architect Rose Greeley, and local architect Harvey Baxter. Early residents were primarily upper middle-class citizens, including physicians, businessmen, military officers, and government officials.

The historic district includes 50 houses, 37 of which are contributing properties. Distinctive elements of the single-family residences include cornice detailing, rhythmic fenestration, and simple massing. Colony Hill planners integrated revivalist architecture with naturalistic landscape design in a style that is still clear today—as current residents continue to preserve this vision in their neighborhood.

The Colony Hill Historic District includes the homes of Hoban Road, Hadfield Lane, and 45th Street NW. It is bounded by Glover Archbold on the east, Reservoir Road on the south, and Foxhall Road on the west.

DC Inventory: February 4, 2021
National Register: May 21, 2021

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