The Mansion on O Street

The building was originally designed in 1892 by the architect of the Capitol, Edward Clark,[2] as a cluster of three row houses for himself and family members including his brother Champ Clark, another brother known as "the artist" and a sister. The residences were connected through the basements and main floors and contained separate sleeping quarters upstairs.

On February 14, 1980, H.H. Leonards purchased 2020 O Street, the first row house in the series of connected brownstones.[3] Leonards renovated the townhouse as a bed-and-breakfast and private club. After renovations were completed, Leonards designed and built a new brownstone on the adjacent vacant lot at 2022 O Street. In 1990, the buildings became administered under the not-for-profit membership association of H.H. Leonards Associates (HHLA). Leonards subsequently acquired three adjacent row houses, each incorporated into the single property: Number 2018 in 1991, Number 2016 in 1992 and Number 2024 in 1994.[3]

In 1998 Leonards opened the O Street Museum inside the facility. The museum includes art, sculpture, music, memorabilia and written manuscripts in the collection. The museum hosts concerts, book signing talks, film screenings[4] and tours throughout the year.

The Beatles Room

The interior design of the Mansion on O Street became noted for unique and eccentric styling of various architectural, artistic and design periods. It incorporates maze-like passageways, hidden doors and secret rooms. The unique decor has been chronicled in books including Four Blind Mice by James Patterson, Afterburn by Zane,[5] How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell, and in the young adult novel Gilda Joyce: The Dead Drop by Jennifer Allison.[6]

All the furnishings, fixtures and decorative items within the rooms can be purchased. The hotel subsequently developed a reputation for privacy, exclusivity and a high-profile clientele[7] that includes authors, artists, musicians[8] Ambassadors[4] Presidents, and civil rights heroine Rosa Parks[9]

In May 2019, The Mansion on O Street was added to the DC Preservation League's African American Heritage Trail for its role as a DC accommodation for Rosa Parks, which began after it provided a refuge for Mrs. Parks when she was assaulted in her Detroit home in August 1994.[10] This addition was marked with a plaque unveiled by Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.[11]

The Mansion on O Street is housed in a historic building,[12] incorporating 30,000 square feet (2,800 m²) into 100 rooms. It includes 6 main kitchens, 12 conference rooms, and 30 special event galleries.[13] Rooms, suites and residences have varied theme, including a two-story log cabin, a safari room and an art deco penthouse. A conference center is used for corporate events, off-site meetings, corporate retreats, engagements,[14] weddings,[15] parties and fundraisers. The footprint includes large and small meeting galleries that can hold up to 200 guests.

Divided into for-profit and non-profit arms, The Mansion has a unique business model as noted in PSFK “The Mansion on O Street represents a future business paradigm - one in which there is maximum utility in every product, service, or idea that is sold.”[16]

Nearly everything in The Mansion is for sale[17] (except the signature guitars). For day-to-day operations they rely on volunteers as well as a handful of employees.

The hotel has provided support for charities including the American Forest Foundation, Habitat for Humanity,[18] Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, and the American Red Cross.

• The Mansion on O Street Official Site
• Edward Clark (architect) - Razor Robotics
• House of Secrets: The Mansion on O Street - DC Style is Real
• The Mansion on O — Dupont Circle About.com Guide
• Best of D.C. 2012 Arts & Entertainment
• WETA Documentaries - Breakfast in Washington

38.9083°N 77.0459°W / 38.9083; -77.0459