Tucked away off a Connecticut Avenue service road north of Kensington in Silver Spring, along the hillsides and among the trees of a wooded parkland, a small cluster of 74 unique homes in an eclectic community have become highly-sought-after properties for a growing market of homebuyers.
Designed by well-known Modernist architect Charles Goodman in 1959, the three- and four-bedroom homes of Rock Creek Woods flow into the landscape and feature “walls of glass,” wrap-around balconies, and entrances on both the street and lower levels. Goodman, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies Van der Rohe, avoided the replication of historical home styles. He designed and sited homes based on their relationship to the environment, sunlight, the topography of the land and privacy. His portfolio includes the original National Airport and Hollin Hills in Virginia.
“I specialize in these types of homes,” said Michael Shapiro, who became a Long & Foster agent because of his passion for contemporary design. “I’m attracting people who are looking for modern contemporary architecture.”
Shapiro has helped lead the midcentury modern movement in the area and through his blog has assisted sellers in providing viral exposure for their listings. His Web site contains a 1959 advertisement for Rock Creek Woods with a headline that reads “the most revolutionary houses ever offered,” and 50 years later the living styles from that era — fueled by the success of the hit series “Mad Men” — are becoming increasingly popular.
“The last several sales have been in the [$500,000]s to the low [$600,000]s,” he said.
Rock Creek Woods consists of three streets that form a wooded cul-de-sac with houses on panel blocks of vertical wood siding, glass and brick — with sloping roofs. There are four home styles, but their lot placement makes it seem as if there are many more. The tight-knit community includes a wide variety of professionals — including graphic artists and musicians — and house concerts featuring classical, jazz, Latin and brass band music take place throughout the year.
“We have a book club, a movie club and a knitting club,” said Julie Marcis, who has lived in the neighborhood for 10 years and helped organize the house tour for the 50th anniversary in September.
“And we also have trees, trees, trees,” she said.
Like his predecessor Van der Rohe, Goodman adhered to the adage that “God is in the details.” He specified that the vertical panels be brightly colored, and made every effort to save the indigenous trees including pines, oaks, tulip poplars, American beech, hickory and dogwood. In 1959, two residents who preferred cherry trees over shade trees arranged for the community to plant more than 40 Yoshino cherry trees.
“The trees explode in the spring,” Shapiro said. “It’s magnificent to just drive through the neighborhood.”
Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, Rock Creek Woods still maintains a low profile.
“I don’t think people know it’s here,” said resident and interior designer Renana Keynes. “It has a great neighborhood feeling. A new wave of families has moved in. There’s not a lot of turnover. I love living here.”
Top Reasons for living in Rock Creek Woods
Location
Ten minutes from the Grosvenor and Wheaton Metro stations, two miles from Interstate 495, and minutes from downtown Bethesda — the neighborhood is easily accessible by both Metro and car. It’s a 40- to 50-minute commute downtown depending on the traffic.
Kensington shopping area
The Unique Thrift Shop, Savannah’s restaurant, Continental sub shop, an Asian and Latino grocery store, Hardware City, and a variety of ethnic cuisines are available only five minutes away by car in charming Kensington.
Black Market Bistro
A 20-minute walk along the trails behind the neighborhood, and you can get a great burger, thin-crust pizzas and good modern American cuisine at this Garrett Park eatery that was once a post office. During the day folks stop in for coffee and home-baked scones, muffins and cookies from the market nestled in one corner.
December 2009
– Average sold price in the 20895 ZIP code: $561,000
– Average list price in the 20895 ZIP code: $573,000
– Average days on market for homes sold: 118
December 2008
– Average sold price in the 20895 ZIP code: $575,000
– Average list price in the 20895 ZIP code: $585,000
– Average days on market for homes sold: 146
