r
Admiral Heights
Primary Structure Built:1959
Sold For: $950,000
Original List Price: $1,037,500
Last Sold/Price: 2005/$1,050,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3
Living Space: 3,450 square feet
Lot Size: .46 acre
r
r
Sometimes, what charms us about a home isn't in plain sight. Never mind that this Admiral Heights residence is ideally situated on a shaded and quiet patch of land backing to the protected waters of Weems Creek. Or that its interior has been pristinely remodeled and expanded to feature extensive conveniences uncommon to a typical split-level design.
What won our hearts was this home's amazing backstory.
Imagine closing on your new house and learning that it was once the home of Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, one of the most highly decorated veterans of any military anch and quite possibly the greatest submarine hero of all time. “Lucky Fluckey” is credited with pioneering submarine warfare and, among other feats, downing 17 Japanese ships during World II. A graduate of the Naval Academy and an instructor there later in life, the admiral (and published author), was a long-time Annapolis resident before passing in 2007. How appropriate that he once lived in a water-privileged 625-home community that names its streets after famous admirals (www.admiralheights.com).
r
To add to the mix, the family who just sold the home has deep roots in this area: Former owner George (“Ripper”) Severn Tyler, IV, is the son of George Severn Tyler, III. GST, III, along with his then-wife Liz Tyler, started Marmaduke's in Eastport. He went on to establish several area favorites, including Steamboat Landing and the Captain's Table restaurants. His son Ripper is an executive in a Bethesda real estate management and development company. Along with his wife, Beth, a recognized local agent with Long & Foster, they purchased this home in 2005 (naturally, Beth was the listing agent on this deal). With their collective hospitality and real estate backgrounds, it's no surprise the home was impeccably staged, features top-notch A/V engineering, and contains a gourmet kitchen and a layout very conducive to entertaining.
Meanwhile, the newest homeowners, originally from this area, had most recently resided in New Mexico. Coming from a desert environment to waterfront Annapolis has been, for them, a significant and pleasing change.
Only in Annapolis would you find such extraordinary circumstances affiliated with such an extraordinary dwelling. At 53 years of age, this house has seen its share of updates. The result is an inviting home (the Tylers dubbed it the SUNC for Split-Level Urban Nautical Cottage) with several modern conveniences: a two-car garage and extra-wide driveway, an open and airy main floor, a separate screened porch, its own green house, as well as a bedroom converted into a fully functioning office.
r
But certainly one of its most striking qualities is its glorious waterfront setting. Follow the stone steps out the back to 216 feet of water frontage, with a mean low water (MLW) of 6+ feet, a pier updated in 2006 with three slips, and a 25,000-pound boat lift. Weems Creek is within city limits, allowing quick and easy water access to various urban destinations, as well as the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay. As a no-wake creek, the Weems also serves as the rowing destination for the Navy and St. John's row teams, an impressive sight to see from the home's various vantage points, including a large deck surrounded by thin cable and steel railings, manufactured for unimpeded views.
r
Surrounded by water, lush foliage and rock/mulch beds, the property has virtually no lawn to maintain. These same natural and peaceful qualities carry into the interior, with its neutral color palette and rustic accents, including a hefty, weathered-wood mantel and a traditional built-in china closet in the dining room. Yet, the rustic/traditional decor works seamlessly with such modern touches as a two-sided log-less fireplace, a stainless steel pendant chandelier and advanced wiring throughout the home (a TV is set up in the screened-in porch).
r
The rest of the home maintains the same attention to detail. The master bedroom includes a sitting room and walk-in closet, two-toned wood floor, as well as a double-sink master bath. The kitchen has blond wood cabinets with stainless steel, Energy Star appliances, a ceramic-tiled floor and coordinating tiled backsplash. Several other parts of the home are accented with hardwood floors, wainscoting, chair railing, or built-ins. The lower-levels include a family room, rec/fitness room and a storage area. All these amenities ensure this storied cottage will continue to attract families with tales to tell.
Sources: Beth Tyler (listing agent), Long & Foster, office-410-266-5505, cell-443-254-5250, bethtyler@davidsonville.com, www.davidsonville.com. Judith Leichtman (buyer’s agent), Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 410-263-8686, judy@judyleichtman.com, www.judyleichtman.com.
r
Whitehall
Primary Structure Built: 1963
Sold For: $1,099,000
Original List Price: $1,299,000
Last Sold/Price: 2007/$1,700,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5
Living Space: 2,444 sq. ft. above grade + sunroom and unfinished basement (an additional 1,244 sq. ft.)
Lot Size: 10 acres
r
Only in Annapolis … can you find an established home on a 10-acre property in a pastoral and waterfront setting. The land features shaded areas with apple, pear and fig trees, open grassland ideal for horses, 150 feet of water frontage on a protected cove of Meredith Creek, plus access to downtown and the entire metropolitan area in just minutes.
r
At the end of a tree-bordered meandering driveway, this Whitehall estate's most striking feature hides behind the home. With an expansive backyard off on open deck, a green lawn leads to a private pier featuring a water depth of 4+ feet, a floating dock with slips, boat rack and new bulkhead. Meredith Creek, which feeds into Whitehall Bay, is known for great kayaking, crabbing, fishing and peaceful sunsets.
Inside, the 1963-built colonial maintains its traditional layout, yet has been tastefully updated. The kitchen includes granite counters, new black appliances, a double eakfast bar and a Tuscan tile floor. A large sunroom with charming, Southern-style ceiling fans, tiled flooring and separate seating/eating areas offers spectacular views of the water and the verdant backyard. A covered plantation porch out front opens to a slate-floored foyer, while the dining, living and family rooms all have refinished wood floors. Various parts of the home include such architectural elements as crown molding, chair rails, custom built-ins and unique windows.
r
Upstairs, the master bedroom encompasses a sitting area, en-suite bath and walk-in closet. The home's other appealing details include a neutral color palette, large closets, updated bathroom fixtures, a wood-burning fireplace, and a full-length unfinished basement with laundry and storage areas.
Sources: June Steinweg (listing agent), Realtor, Coldwell Banker/Church Circle, Annapolis, 410-353-4157, jsteinweg@cbmove.com, www.junesteinweg.com. Nathan Dart (buyer’s agent), ABR, Dart Homes, RE/MAX All Pro, 301-977-2800, nathan@darthomes.com, www.darthomes.com.
r
r
Eastport
Primary Structure Built: 1940
Sold For: $900,000
Original List Price: $925,000
Last Sold/Price: 2005/$700,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 5
Living Space: 3,000 square feet
Lot Size: 6,900 square feet
r
Only in Annapolis … will you come across a 1940 Cape Cod-style home blending perfectly with Eastport's maritime vibe, convenient to the peninsula's various shops, restaurants, and water facilities, yet completely re-done down to the studs to accommodate every modern necessity.
From the street, the home resembles other 1940s bungalows, with its small footprint and non-descript siding. Step inside, however, and be charmed by a home painstakingly and lovingly reconstructed by the sellers, with an open floor plan, 9-foot ceilings, craftsman-style details, recessed and pendant lighting, and ight, airy décor.
r
So popular in today's new construction, the home includes a first-floor master bedroom with hardwood floors, crown molding and rows of windows. Its accompanying master bath has beautiful raised marble sinks with glass mosaic back splash and is finished with decorative mirrors. The bathroom also contains a separate shower and a dramatic claw-foot soaking tub.
The living room, dining room and kitchen flow together, with the same hardwood flooring and sparking glass and white cabinetry. A fireplace anchors the living room, while the kitchen's stainless steel appliances are complemented with a mixture of honed granite and Corian countertops. Set up as another first-floor master bedroom, a separate room on the main floor can function as a family room. Tucked away, a laundry room is another first-floor bonus.
Up a well-crafted staircase are two additional roomy bedrooms, one with an attractive dormer ceiling. The large, finished basement includes a rec area and full walk-out. A spacious studio over a detached garage offers more work or sleep space with its own charming ship's porthole, enhancing the nautical setting.
Sources: Kerry Hoffman (listing agent), Keller Williams Select Realtors, 443-852-9661, khoffman@kw.com. Mary Clare Holder (buyer’s agent), Long & Foster, office-410-263-3400, cell-410-271-5781, maryclare.holder@LNF.com.
r
