We all know what tiny homes are, but have you ever heard of a skinny home?
What originally began as plans to construct a single-family residence in Washington, DC, suddenly shrank when the city unexpectedly changed its zoning laws.
“The developer bought the property, thinking it could be a four-story home that was 15 feet wide; but the city changed the zoning laws, so he had to build this skinny home in its place,” says listing agent Jennifer Young, of Keller Williams Chantilly Ventures. “It had to be scaled down to almost half the width. This home is now just 6 feet wide.”
Listed for $581,903, the slimmed-down, newly built residence has a reimagined design with one bedroom with 1.5 baths. And building the home was not without its obstacles.
“One of the biggest challenges they faced during construction was that they had to hand deliver all of the materials from the street,” Young says. “Because of its neighborhood location, trucks were not permitted onto the property.”
Originally hitting the market in July 2023 for $799,900, the petite property, which has garnered national attention, received its latest price reduction last month.
“It is one of the most viewed homes and was even featured in People magazine,” she said. “I never thought it would get this much attention.”
The sleek space is tucked away in the Shaw corridor, which offers easy access to the Metro, dining, and shopping.
“It’s a low-maintenance home with a small lot to maintain and is situated in a great location,” Young notes. “The Shaw neighborhood has an up-and-coming restaurant scene, and there is a lot of development of single-family homes. You can walk to great restaurants just steps from the house. It’s a very vibrant community.”
With every inch maximized for functionality, the 600-square-foot interior boasts a modern design with contemporary fixtures, smart lighting, solar panels, and a security system.
The open floor plan features a kitchen with upgraded cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a custom dining bar.
A nearby living room on the main level is surrounded by windows that flood the space with natural light.
The home’s lone bedroom is on the second floor, along with a full bathroom that’s nicely outfitted with a glass shower and quartz-topped vanity.
Outside, privacy fencing and a sundeck round out the tidy listing, which is being offered fully furnished.
Meanwhile, the unique property has attracted some potential buyers who might not need much room.
“We have had a lot of interest from first-time buyers and professionals who prefer the price and don’t want to live in a condo with association fees,” Young says. “I think it will be used as a secondary residence for someone. We have had investors looking at it as a rental property and also had interest from people living on the West Coast whose kids go to DC schools. It would be a great spot for them to stay while visiting their kids.”