2532 I STREET NW

The two houses at the bottom of I Street (2530-2532) were built in 1889 by Irish immigrant Peter McCartney. McCartney built a number of houses in Foggy Bottom in the 1880s. He began as a carpenter and soon established a successful contracting business. His skill with brick and wood is found throughout the historic district including in the corbelled brick cornices and delicate jigsaw work.

Nos. 2530 and 2532 share an unusual bricked arched entryway to the back yard garden and intricate brick cornice work. This pair of row houses is much closer to the street than those up the block. No. 2532 is two stories high and two bays wide, with elaborate brick work detailing at the cornice. The front entry door has wood pilasters and a broken pediment. The curved archway separates it from No. 2530 at ground level. The house is 13'6" wide with a flat roof.

No. 2532 still features the McCartney as-built interior floor plan, including a wood-burning fireplace and his hand-made mantle. Swiss artist Daniel Zeltner painted a colorful mural, with cows and the Capitol - it is located on the back retaining wall (behind the house).

In 2022 this house had 2 beds, 1 bath and was 954 sq ft.

NOTE: Across the highways, 2635, 2637, 2639 I St stand alone. In 1879, Peter McCartney built 2635 and 2637 for Gilbert Gannon. The last of the three, 2639 appears to be designed as a double residence.