Preserved elevator machinery above the living room at 1737 Johnson Avenue, Unit D.

1737 JOHNSON AVENUE NW • UNIT D • WASHINGTON, DC

A Washington loft with more than a century of stories.

A Washington loft with more than a century of stories.

A Washington loft with more than a century of stories.

From horse stable to automobile garage, artists’ studio to one-of-a-kind residence, 1737 Johnson Avenue has been reinvented for more than a century.

From horse stable to automobile garage, artists’ studio to one-of-a-kind residence, 1737 Johnson Avenue has been reinvented for more than a century.

Today, Unit D pairs that remarkable history with nearly 30-foot ceilings, three levels of living, expansive outdoor spaces, and sweeping views across Washington.

Today, Unit D pairs that remarkable history with nearly 30-foot ceilings, three levels of living, expansive outdoor spaces, and sweeping views across Washington.

Explore the story

THE STORY

Before it was a home, it was a place where things were made.

Before it was a home, it was a place where things were made.

Before it was a home, it was a place where things were made.

Sam Gilliam’s studio at 1737 Johnson Avenue, 1970.

Built in 1906 as a private horse stable, 1737 Johnson Avenue quickly adapted to a changing Washington. By 1912, horses had given way to automobiles and the building was operating as Sellman’s Garage. Automotive repair, tire service, glass factory, storage and related industrial uses continued here for decades.

Built in 1906 as a private horse stable, 1737 Johnson Avenue quickly adapted to a changing Washington. By 1912, horses had given way to automobiles and the building was operating as Sellman’s Garage. Automotive repair, tire service, glass factory, storage and related industrial uses continued here for decades.

In the late 1960s, the building entered an extraordinary new chapter. Artists Sam Gilliam and Rockne Krebs established a studio at 1737 Johnson Avenue during an important period in both of their careers.

In the late 1960s, the building entered an extraordinary new chapter. Artists Sam Gilliam and Rockne Krebs established a studio at 1737 Johnson Avenue during an important period in both of their careers.

Gilliam was pushing painting beyond the traditional stretched canvas, developing the monumental draped works for which he became internationally known with pieces now at MoMA. Krebs was pioneering the use of light and lasers as sculptural material.

Gilliam was pushing painting beyond the traditional stretched canvas, developing the monumental draped works for which he became internationally known with pieces now at MoMA. Krebs was pioneering the use of light and lasers as sculptural material.

The building’s upper floor, later incorporated into Unit D, was part of this working studio space.

The building’s upper floor, later incorporated into Unit D, was part of this working studio space.

“About ’69 or about that time we had the studio on Johnson Avenue.”

“About ’69 or about that time we had the studio on Johnson Avenue.”

“About ’69 or about that time we had the studio on Johnson Avenue.”

Sam Gilliam, 1989 oral history interview, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Sam Gilliam '1969' on display at MoMA

Sam Gilliam '1969' on display at MoMA

Sam Gilliam '1969' on display at MoMA

painted in Units D/E at 1737 Johnson Ave

BUILT TO WORK

The machinery never left entirely.

The machinery never left entirely.

The machinery never left entirely.

A piece of the building’s industrial history still lives inside Unit D.

A piece of the building’s industrial history still lives inside Unit D.

Complete preserved elevator gear and pulley assembly inside Unit D.

Today — The preserved elevator gear remains one of Unit D’s defining architectural features.

The original elevator and pulley system was used to move vehicles between floors during the building’s automotive era.

The original elevator and pulley system was used to move vehicles between floors during the building’s automotive era.

The original elevator and pulley system was used to move vehicles between floors during the building’s automotive era.

When the building was later converted to residential lofts, the enormous machinery was preserved and turned into a focal piece of the apartment.

When the building was later converted to residential lofts, the enormous machinery was preserved and turned into a focal piece of the apartment.

The elevator itself is gone, but the surviving gear and pulley assembly remains in Unit D today, functioning as both architectural sculpture and a physical connection to the building’s working past.

The elevator itself is gone, but the surviving gear and pulley assembly remains in Unit D today, functioning as both architectural sculpture and a physical connection to the building’s working past.

FROM STUDIO TO HOME

The building’s next act was residential.

The building’s next act was residential.

The building’s next act was residential.

By the early 1980s, Gilliam and Krebs moved on from their Johnson Avenue studio. Soon afterward, the building began another transformation. In the mid-1980s, developers converted the former industrial building into five unconventional loft residences known as the Dupont-Soho Condominium.

The conversion embraced rather than erased the building’s past. Wide-plank floors, exposed masonry, industrial proportions and pieces of the old elevator machinery became part of the architecture.

A 1986 Washington Post feature described the newly created homes as luxury lofts unlike almost anything then available in Washington.

1986

The former garage was converted into five residential loft condominiums.

Then Unit D went vertical.

Then Unit D went vertical.

Then Unit D went vertical.

Roughly two decades later, Unit D underwent a dramatic architectural expansion. The roof above the original loft was removed and approximately one-and-a-half new stories were added.

Roughly two decades later, Unit D underwent a dramatic architectural expansion. The roof above the original loft was removed and approximately one-and-a-half new stories were added.

The transformation created the upper den, a new primary-bedroom level, two outdoor decks, and the soaring open volume that now defines the center of the residence.

The transformation created the upper den, a new primary-bedroom level, two outdoor decks, and the soaring open volume that now defines the center of the residence.

The original loft remained visually connected to the new levels, producing a home that feels simultaneously industrial, open and unexpectedly vertical.

The original loft remained visually connected to the new levels, producing a home that feels simultaneously industrial, open and unexpectedly vertical.

Staircase connecting the loft’s three levels around its soaring central volume.

The staircase connects the loft’s three levels around its soaring central volume.

Nearly 30 feet

Nearly 30 feet

of open vertical space rises through the main living area.

3 levels — of living space

2 outdoor decks — including the upper roof terrace

THE EVOLUTION OF UNIT D

A loft shaped over time.

A loft shaped over time.

A loft shaped over time.

The residence has continued to evolve.
Successive owners have preserved the building’s industrial history while making the residence increasingly comfortable, private and functional.

2018

2018

Kitchen + whole-home upgrades

The kitchen was comprehensively renovated with custom cabinetry, premium appliances and specialized pull-out storage. Commercial-grade Miele laundry appliances were added. Automated window shades were installed throughout the residence.

2021

2021

A more private primary suite

The primary bedroom was fully enclosed, significantly improving privacy and climate control, and a substantial new walk-in closet was created.

2021

2021

A flexible second bedroom

Black-framed glass doors were installed around the second bedroom, followed by automated privacy shades that allow the room to transition between open loft and private bedroom.

2025

2025

Second bathroom rebuilt

The second-bedroom bathroom was completely gutted and renovated with new fixtures and finishes.

2026

2026

The great window renewed

The massive main window bringing light into the soaring central volume was fully replaced.

The goal through every chapter has been the same: preserve what makes the loft extraordinary while making it better to live in.

The goal through every chapter has been the same: preserve what makes the loft extraordinary while making it better to live in.

THE RESIDENCE TODAY

A remarkable history. An inviting home.

A remarkable history. An inviting home.

Exposed brick, wide-plank floors, and preserved machinery give the loft its character. Across three levels, spaces for gathering, working, and retreating make it a home.

Exposed brick, wide-plank floors, and preserved machinery give the loft its character. Across three levels, spaces for gathering, working, and retreating make it a home.

Living room with preserved industrial details in Unit D

The living room

Kitchen within the loft at Unit D

The kitchen

Dining area within the open loft

Dining within the loft

Den within Unit D

The den

Primary bedroom in Unit D

The primary bedroom

Second bedroom in Unit D

The second bedroom

Second bathroom in Unit D

The second bathroom

Primary bathroom in Unit D

The primary bathroom

OUTDOOR LIVING

Some of our favorite rooms have no ceiling.

Some of our favorite rooms have no ceiling.

Some of our favorite rooms have no ceiling.

Unit D has two distinct outdoor spaces, each with a different relationship to the city. The lower terrace became a outdoor living room. It is a place for dinner, drinks, plants, quiet mornings and some extraordinary sunsets. Full-sun plants thrive here, while mornings tend to be more shaded.

Above it, the shared roof deck opens to broad views across Washington. We used it for Fourth of July gatherings, drinks after evenings on 14th Street, and rooftop yoga on cooler days.

Above it, the shared roof deck opens to broad views across Washington. We used it for Fourth of July gatherings, drinks after evenings on 14th Street, and rooftop yoga on cooler days.

Lower terrace at Unit D with space for outdoor living

The lower terrace

Shared roof deck at Unit D

The shared roof deck

Views across Washington from the shared roof deck

Views across Washington

360 degrees of unbroken views

360 degrees of unbroken views

From the upper deck, broad Washington views stretch beyond the rooftops.

1737 JOHNSON AVENUE NW, UNIT D

A singular home in the heart of Washington.

A singular home in the heart of Washington.

A singular home in the heart of Washington.

Approx. 2,000 sq. ft.

2 bedrooms + den

2 bathrooms

3 levels

Nearly 30-foot ceilings

2 outdoor spaces

Indoor parking

1737 Johnson Avenue has lived many lives: stable, garage, industrial building, artists’ studio, and, ultimately, home. Unit D carries pieces of each chapter forward.

To schedule a private showing or request additional information, contact:

Chad Ernst

Compass

703-517-9567

chad.ernst@compass.com

Request a Showing

1737 Johnson Avenue NW • Unit D • Washington, DC

Historical information compiled from archival records, published sources and prior-owner documentation. Certain historical images may be reproduced only with permission of their respective rights holders.

Historical information compiled from archival records, published sources and prior-owner documentation. Certain historical images may be reproduced only with permission of their respective rights holders.