Jacqueline Kennedy’s Childhood Home is For Sale

Merrywood, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s childhood home, is for sale. In the 1940s, a teenaged Jacqueline Bouvier moved into Merrywood after her mother married the home’s owner, Standard Oil heir Hugh D. Auchincloss. “I always love it so at Merrywood—so peaceful … with the river and those great steep hills,” Bouvier wrote in 1944.

According to Town & Country, America Online co-founder Steve Case purchased Merrywood in 2005 for $24.5 million, a record for the region at the time. It is currently on the market for $49.5 million. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in McLean, Virginia – a suburb of Washington, D.C. – this beautiful red brick Georgian was built in 1919.  It has been recently decorated by Barry Dixon, and the interiors would certainly befit America’s Queen.

Details below are from the real estate listing…

Since 1919, Merrywood has graced the banks of the Potomac River in prestigious McLean, Virginia. Renowned as the finest private estate in the Washington, DC region, Merrywood reflects a storied history, serving as home to several of America’s most influential political and business leaders. As the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Merrywood was elevated to a position of prominence in the mid-1940s and has since continued to provide a celebrated venue to host presidents, business leaders, artists, and countless family celebrations.

The estate is discretely positioned on seven private acres with sweeping views of the Potomac River. The location is unparalleled and provides convenient access within minutes to Washington, DC and the region’s major airports. The exceptional brick and limestone main residence reflects the finest traditions of the Georgian Style. Inside, a gracious entry hall opens to public rooms scaled to accommodate both large gatherings and intimate family occasions.

The interiors are the bespoke masterwork of renowned designer, Barry Dixon. The second floor family quarters include an expansive master suite with his or her dressing rooms, a private study and an exercise room. Four additional en-suite bedrooms grace this level. Upstairs, four bedrooms and three baths are comfortably scaled. On the lower level, there is an exceptionally fine, climate controlled wine cellar. An elevator services all four levels of the residence.

Outside, the formal gardens are reminiscent of the timeless work of celebrated 19th and 20th Century landscape architect, Beatrix Ferrand, reflecting a series of outdoor garden rooms for large scale entertaining, intimate al fresco dining, or simply relaxing and engaging the sweeping views. Steps from the main residence, a sun-drenched pavilion provides a full kitchen, separate exercise studio, changing rooms, and an indoor pool, in addition to access to the lighted tennis court and outdoor swimming pool.

A separate carriage house provides indoor parking for four automobiles, an estate office, security office, and accommodations for staff. The entire property is gated, fenced, and protected by a state-of-the-art security system. Throughout, the estate has been impeccably maintained, and the systems and technology are the finest available. Unquestionably, Merrywood is the finest private estate in the Washington, DC region.

Click below to take a beautiful virtual tour of Merrywood…

To see the listing for this breathtaking home which features 9 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, 2 partial baths, and 23,000 square feet, please visit Sotheby’s. Books featuring Barry Dixon’s work can be found here and here.