A Piece of D.C.'s Past Evolves on 16th Street

The Dorchester House was one of the three largest apartment buildings in Washington when it was built, according to Goode's book. "You can really go a long time without seeing certain people in the building because it is so big," Nogueras said, noting that a co-worker lived across the hall from him for some time before he realized it.

That co-worker, Alexandra Gardner, said she adores the "gigantic" one-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner. It has bay windows and original parquet wood flooring. One-bedrooms with bay windows are 853 to 987 square feet.

"It is a well-built old building. We don't have much trouble with noise between apartments at all. Not much has been updated -- kitchen appliances, but that's about it, but I don't mind that. I've lived without a dishwasher this long," said Gardner, 39, a composer and audio engineer.

There are plans to renovate the kitchens and common areas of the building, once home to young naval ensign John F. Kennedy, who lived in Apartment 502 in the early 1940s, according to Goode's history.

The building's main entrance was put in one wing, far from the front desk, to give it a prestigious 16th Street address across from fashionable Meridian Hill Park, Goode wrote. At that time, there were five stores, including a beauty parlor, on the basement level. Today there's a small grocery. Art deco touches remain, such as the big hexagonal peepholes on apartment doors, the marquee and brass curves on the glass lobby doors.

Some residents complain about management response to problems, delayed repairs and services, and promised renovations that haven't come to fruition. Others, especially longtime residents, said they find management responsive.

Maggie Rowe, 67, has lived in the same apartment since she was a newlywed in 1969. "Since my husband's illness, they have gone out of their way to be kind, to be alert to what's going on," Rowe said of management. She can walk to the drugstore, the cleaners and other shops, and has enjoyed walking through the park over the years.

Residents can expect the Dorchester to be freshened up over the coming months. "There is a lot of construction, a lot of rehab that needs to take place over there," said Steven Gewirz, grandson of one of the original owners and a member, with his brother, of the partnership of current owners, Potomac Investment Properties. Borger Management was brought in last year to handle management of the building and its renovation, he said.

Upgrades of electrical and air-conditioning systems are underway, with plans to redo kitchens later. "You have to do the nuts and bolts before the shiny stuff," Gewirz said.

Apartment manager Darlene Thomas added that upgrades to the lobby and common-area halls will start in midsummer and will include changing the lighting, moving the front desk closer to the front doors, and installing new carpet and wallpaper in the corridors. Renovation of the fitness center will start soon; management is choosing equipment now, she said.