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More historic homes and architectural experiences await in Alexandria, where there’s always more to explore. It’s the most miniature mansion in historic Alexandria, Virginia, and its backstory explores the creative and obscure side of a neighborly grudge. In fact, clever storage is a running theme upstairs, with cupboard space even found for a stacked washer-dryer. The bedroom at the front of The Spite House has just enough space for a double bed, pushed against the wall. At the back of the house is a bathroom with a handsome roll top, freestanding bath. The kitchen and utilities are a shining example of efficient use and organization of limited space.
Hollensbury Spite House
All proceeds go to SCAN, the only region-wide organization focused solely on preventing child abuse and neglect across Northern Virginia, through education, advocacy, and community engagement. While Courduvelis is the lead sponsor for the fundraiser, Bishop said that there remain multiple opportunities for other sponsors. He says it was “quite a challenge” to make a kitchen work in the tiny space allotted. There’s also extra storage space under a bench seat and extra cabinets in the corner.
Q: What is the Spite House in Alexandria, VA?
Mr. Hollensbury decided to use the bricks he had made in his profession to build his daughters a small play house in the alley next to their home. In this situation, the house so often known to have been built out of spite for foot traffic or quarreling neighbors had actually been built out of love for his daughters. It is believe that Mr. Hollensbury's daughter, Julia, who died in 1901, loved her play house so much that she actually decided to live in her very own playhouse for at least part of her adult life.
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This includes the slender two-story house spanning 350 square feet, complemented by a walled rear garden and patio area, which unfolds within a snug 7 feet wide and 12 feet deep enclave. The Rockport Maine spite house, the Plum Island Pink House, and Freeport New York’s Miracle House are prime examples of larger houses built out of spite or rage. Spite homes aren’t exactly characterized by specific dimensions, but by the intent behind why they were created. However, it’s often the case that spite homes end up being somewhere between 200 and 1,000 square feet, because they are intentionally built into unthinkable spaces. While many famous spite homes were built in the 18th and 19th century, they are used today in a plethora of ways. Some of these famous spite homes belong to single residents or families who likely paid a large sum of money to own such a historical landmark.
But perhaps the carriage was actually too large, and his daughter's playhouse was simply a convenient excuse. Works of architecture are often a portal into the headspace of their creators, speaking a unique language of personality, moods, and obsessions. There are few places where this more visually apparent than at Alexandria, Virginia’s squat blue spite house. The two-century-old residence was a delicious poke in the eye to contemporary neighbors and has now become a beloved part of Old Town’s historic fabric.
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The replica playhouse is 6’9” wide (and thus only six inches narrower than the original), three feet in depth, and approximately 10’9” tall. Its front is virtually identical to its famous inspiration, from the bright blue color to the two big yellow windows with black shutters to the large door. There is a small patch of (artificial) grass and a solar-powered porch light. This alley house is the youngest alley house, built between 1891 and 1895 according to Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.
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The culprit, possibly an unsettled gambling dept, an unfavorable personal review, or even some untruths told or rumors started about Mr. Hollensbury, nobody really knows, but everyone suspects it was simply that damn carriage. While it is fair to say the first story is the most popular, and probably the most likely, we will likely never have definitive proof of why the Hollensbury Spite House came into existence. What we do know, is that in 1830, John Hollensbury paid $45.65 for the lot and built the 7-foot wide, 25-foot deep house. Alexandria Spite House, also known as Hollensbury Spite House, is a 7-foot-wide house located at 523 Queen Street in Alexandria, Virginia. It is believed to be one of the skinniest houses in the United States of America and has even been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
The narrowest house in America is seven feet of pure spite.
“It’s more interesting than staying at a hotel.” He says his company books about two million hotel rooms a year for clients, and he travels a good bit in his work. John Hollensbury was a council member in Alexandria, Virginia, who lived in a house on Queen Street (next door to what is now the Alexandria Spite House) that had been built in 1780. They once rented the house to a couple who wanted to see if they could endure living in a ship's cabin on a cruise around the world, Jack told the New York Times in 2008.
The Narrowest Buildings in the World Are "Spite Houses" - Interesting Engineering
The Narrowest Buildings in the World Are "Spite Houses".
Posted: Mon, 27 Sep 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Each of these architectural curiosities dates back to the 1800s, with the King Street house erected in 1812. The origin of spite houses often lies in retaliatory motives, as disgruntled people use these structures to settle disputes and establish residential dominance. During my recent trip to Alexandria, VA, I stumbled upon something unique – a spite house. Let’s delve into what spite houses are and take a closer look at the one in Alexandria.
Not far from Spite House, the 400 block of Queen Street is a beloved stretch of charming clapboard Colonial homes that have stood the test of time to become an enduring and endearing slice of history. For many, the homes’ colorful combinations and fluttering American flags epitomize Old Town’s visual charm. Mosey along Queen Street to find more abodes of distinct architectural eras rubbing elbows.
In 1994, the house was featured in Washington Post's Washington Home publication for the innovative way its then-owner and interior designer Sheldon Odland had arranged the place to feel homey. Odland told the Post when he moved to the alley house from his large residence next door he had to get rid of some of his clothes in order to keep all his books. The historical significance and architectural intricacies of spite houses in Alexandria, VA contribute to the city’s vibrant cultural tapestry, offering unique insights into the past and present. These distinctive structures continue to intrigue visitors and enthusiasts, serving as enduring testaments to human creativity and resilience.
It’s normal to see spite houses wedged into small, cramped, abnormal spaces, as they’re usually built as a way to annoy neighbors or lawmakers. The last known alley house in Alexandria is at 1401 Prince St. It is unique from the other spite houses in that it is only one story tall. The home is a little more than 8-feet wide and has been incorporated into the home next to it. While the Hollensbury Spite House is the most famous spite house in Old Town, it's not the only one. There are at least three other spite houses built in the neighborhood's historic alleyways, according to Old Town Home.
The two sides of the house are brick and still have grooves from the wagon wheels that would pass through the alley back in the day. As the story goes, Hollensbury grew increasingly annoyed by horse-drawn carriages coming down the street and ramming into the side walls of his home. To push back against this, Hollensbury decided to build a skinny house in the alley gap to keep carriages out. Famously regarded by locals as The Skinny House, this small, greyish green house in downtown Boston was built as a spite house.
On the other wall is the kitchen counter with a small sink, a small four-burner gas range and an under-counter Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. A wooden table is pushed against the other wall, providing plenty of room for three to dine comfortably. If it is pulled out and someone sits on a built-in bench at the end of the counter, four or more can use the table. Virginia's historic Old Town neighborhood, just south of Washington, DC, is steeped in history. From Georgian to Victorian to mid-century modern buildings, its streets have no shortage of beautiful architecture.
As society evolved, spite houses continued to pop up, taking on various forms. While the reasons behind their construction remained rooted in petty spite, the designs grew increasingly imaginative and complex. Some spite houses were designed to block scenic views, others to steal sunlight, and some simply to create a visual eyesore. I write a lot about different forms of historical architecture on this blog, but today I want to share one of those unusual architectural styles from the dark side.
A closer inspection of the front facade reveals an intriguing detail in the form of a cast iron fire shield. This nineteenth-century addition signifies that the property owner had, at that time, paid the local fire department for their services in extinguishing any potential fires at the residence. Earning its moniker as the “Skinniest House in the United States,” this unique abode boasts dimensions of 7 feet 6 inches in width and 25 feet in depth, situated on a compact lot measuring just 356 square feet. Presently, the house has evolved into a weekend retreat for its owners, offering a tranquil escape during the balmy summer months. The residence also operates as a bed and breakfast, weaving diverse stories into its history. Uncertain about its future utility, Sammis eventually enlisted the expertise of designers to revamp the interior.
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