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Welcome to Old Town Alexandria’s 523 Duke Street, a truly special home with wide-open spaces flooded by natural sunlight. Originally two historic houses they were splendidly combined many years past making for oversized rooms, a rare find in Old Town. Beautifully updated, it now offers a unique blend of contemporary and traditional features. This spacious corner house is open on three sides, facing southwest, presenting unobstructed sunlight from dawn to dusk. The best of both worlds, a historic Old Town residence with high quality modern upgrades. The gas lighted front entrance foyer welcomes you into 11-foot ceilings with original wide board heart of pine floors. The formal dining room offers elegant seven-foot windows, custom made roman shades and a historically rich exposed brick wall dating back 178 years. The adjoining living room again illuminates with an abundance of natural lighting throughout the day with its four oversized seven-foot, nine over nine pane windows with custom roman shades. The 11-foot ceilings are complimented by six-inch crown molding, arched entry ways and a custom French gallery art hanging system throughout. A separate den, with French glass doors opening directly to the patio, provides a private more intimate space for television viewing and reading. The newly renovated kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances are complimented by cream quartzite counter tops, custom cabinets and warmed by original pine flooring and a wood burning, newly relined fireplace. This modern roomy kitchen opens to an flagstone patio surrounded by old brick walls and mature birch tree, offering even more wide-open space for private outdoor entertaining and relaxation. Only one flight upstairs provides a large primary suite as well as two additional sizable sunny guest bedrooms with full bath and an abundance of closet space. The primary suite is naturally lighted by four windows on two sides as well as a skylight for moonlit evenings. The separate walk-in closet opens to a newly renovated primary bath with white marble, porcelain floors, standalone tub and a separate walk-in steam shower. Again, naturally lighted by multiple windows and a skylight with an exposed brick wall providing a warm reminder of this house’s history. Additional space for work, exercise, dry storage and more is provided by a large cement basement with easy access from the recently installed interior staircase. Insulation from noise and weather have been provided by new storm windows on all 26 windows as well as new insulation throughout the ceiling and crawl space. The house is kept cool by a recently installed HVAC unit and warmed by natural radiated heat. Located in the heart of Old Town, this home is truly just steps from it all…easy stroll to the farmers market, afternoon picnic on the Potomac, waterfront dining, art exhibits, a short ferry or easy bike ride into Washington, and so much more.