Mayfair Mansions Apartments facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mayfair Mansions Apartments
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
Location in the District of Columbia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3819 Jay St., NE Washington, DC |
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| Built | 1942-1946 |
| Architect | Albert I. Cassell |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001735 |
| Added to NRHP | November 1, 1989 |
Mayfair Mansions Apartments are a group of historic buildings in Washington, D.C.. They are located in the Mayfair neighborhood in the northeast part of the city. These apartments were built between 1942 and 1946. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 because of their importance.
Contents
A Look Back at Mayfair Mansions
How Mayfair Mansions Began
The idea for Mayfair Mansions came from a religious leader named Lightfoot Solomon Michaux. He wanted to create good homes for people in the community.
A talented architect named Albert I. Cassell designed these buildings. He was one of the first professionally trained African American architects in Washington, D.C. He designed the three-story buildings in a style called Colonial Revival. This style looks like older American buildings with classic details.
Homes with Government Support
Mayfair Mansions were very important for their time. They were some of the first housing projects in the United States that received money from the government. This help was specifically for African American families. It meant more people could afford a safe and comfortable place to live.
Before the apartments were built, this land was a place called the Benning Race Track. It was a spot where horse races used to happen.
Mayfair Mansions Today
When they were first built, there were 571 apartment units. Now, these units are divided into two separate parts. One part is called Mayfair Mansions III, which has 160 units. The other part has the remaining 411 units.
Both parts of Mayfair Mansions have been updated and improved. Mayfair Mansions III had a big renovation in 2011. The other section was also fixed up in 2009. This project cost about $48 million to make the homes modern and comfortable for residents.
