From Old Mansion to New Apartments: Patterson House Gets a Makeover

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

Patterson House

One of D.C.’s historic mansions is about to get new life as apartments. SB-Urban and Rooney Properties have joined forces to renovate and expand the more than 110-year-old Patterson House, on Dupont Circle, and turn it into 92 apartment units.

SB-Urban’s Frank Saul III and Mike Balaban paid $20 million last year to buy the property. Together with Francis and Kathleen Rooney and Jim Lee, all of Rooney Properties, they are now getting ready to start work on the redevelopment.

The project calls for the complete renovation of the old mansion, originally constructed in 1903 after designs by renowned architect Stanford White, and the addition of an eight-story wing. HFF worked on behalf of the two developers to procure joint venture equity through CBD LLC.

According to the mortgage banking firm, the new apartment community will be “uniquely tailored by SB-Urban to serve a highly mobile clientele seeking a full-service, highly amenitized experience not available in the current marketplace.” Once finished, the redeveloped Patterson House will feature shared living spaces, a fitness center, meeting space and even private wine storage.

Manhattan Construction Co. is the project’s general contractor. Hartman-Cox Architects has been retained as the architect, with Darryl Carter Inc. as interior designer.

“This unique project will provide renters a new choice for a luxury, full-service living experience in Washington, D.C.,” Sue Carras, senior managing director of HFF, said in a statement.  “The urban suites concept provides a thoughtful emphasis on the quality of product and service that will clearly differentiate the Patterson House in the market, beyond its exceptional amenities.”