“A Prestige Address” 16th and u streets nw
the grand beaux-arts buildings in the vicinity of 16 th and U Streets stand witness to the status of this area in early 20 th-century Washington, and as tribute to the indomitable spirit of Mary Foote Henderson. She lived in a mansion at 16 th and Florida Avenue and spent decades promoting 16 th Street as “a prestige address.” In the 1890 s, she was instrumental in having 16 th Street extended into the undeveloped land north of here. Developers followed, and in 1900 the Balfour Apartment building went up at 16 th and U Streets at a cost of $100,000, making it one of the most expensive structures of its kind in the city. Designed by Washington architect George S. Cooper, it offered 36 large, luxurious apartments. Prestigious apartments continued to spring up in this neighborhood, providing popular accom- modations for congressmen, military personnel, and other federal government officials. The North- umberland, at 2039 New Hampshire Avenue, is a remarkably preserved example. Architect Albert H. Beers created its Renaissance-inspired design in 1909 for prolific Washington builder Harry Wardman. The building featured a public dining room, trash chutes from each kitchen, wall safes, and a telephone switchboard that operated 24 hours a day. The impressive Beaux-Arts building on the north- east corner of 16 th and U Streets was built in 1914 for the Congressional Club, founded in 1908 on another site as a non-partisan gathering place for the spouses of members of Congress. Mary Henderson provided the land, substantial con- struction funds, and her favorite architect, George Oakley Totten, Jr. He designed nine other man- sions for Mary Henderson along 16 th Street, which she rented to foreign embassies. She even encour- aged the president of the United States to move to the area, but in that she did not succeed.
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