Our History
The James B. Edmonds School, situated at the corner of Ninth and D streets NE, is a classic Colonial Revival landmark of the early 1900s[cite: 3, 89]. Originally built in 1903 to serve the Capitol Hill community, the school was a cornerstone of neighborhood life for nearly a century before closing its doors in the 1990s[cite: 2, 6, 7].
In 2012, the property was purchased by CAS-Riegler Development and Ditto Residential for a transformative restoration[cite: 8, 114]. The project was a meticulous "marriage between the old and the new," where historic preservation played a defining role[cite: 18, 116]. The red brick was repointed, the white trim refreshed, and the massive windows—once casting light onto school desks—were restored to brighten modern living spaces[cite: 8, 91, 92].
Today, Edmonds School consists of 20 unique condominium units and three attached townhouses[cite: 8]. Because many interior structural walls were preserved, no two units are the same, each offering architectural interests like exposed brick, steel beams, and soaring ceilings that reach up to 16 feet[cite: 17, 19, 26]. This blend of historic character and contemporary luxury—featuring Bosch appliances and Waterworks fixtures—earned the development recognition as a finalist for the National Association of Homebuilders awards[cite: 23, 24, 122].
The Legacy of the Schoolhouse
James Barker Edmonds (1832–1900)
The school was named in honor of James Barker Edmonds, a distinguished attorney and the 4th President of the Board of Commissioners for the District of Columbia[cite: 158, 170]. After a prestigious legal career in the Midwest, Edmonds moved to D.C. where he became a highly sought-after consultant[cite: 163, 164]. Appointed by President Chester A. Arthur in 1883, he was regarded as one of the most popular and efficient officials to preside over the District’s affairs[cite: 165, 168].
Constructed in 1903, the school served as a primary educational hub for decades[cite: 6, 170]. After it ceased operations as a public school in the 1970s, the building continued to serve the community in various capacities, housing the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and the D.C. Teachers Federal Credit Union[cite: 7, 170].
Historic Recognition & Press
- Capitol Hill Corner (2012): Chronicled the building's repurposing from a credit union into a residential landmark, noting its significance within the historic district.
- The Washington Post (2014): Highlighted how the restoration preserved the building's "neighborhoodly" feel while providing expansive, light-filled homes for families downsizing from the suburbs[cite: 47, 147].
- The Washingtonian: Praised the project as a "Listing We Love," specifically citing the architectural drama of the attic-level lofts and dormer windows[cite: 10, 11].
Architecture
Original 1903 Colonial Revival facade with restored white trim [cite: 6, 91]
Interiors
Ceilings up to 16' and unique layouts—no two units are identical [cite: 26, 119]
Connectivity
12-minute walk to Union Station and 15 minutes to Eastern Market [cite: 40, 156]
Community
Steps from Eastern Market and the vibrant H Street NE corridor [cite: 31, 34]