A historic mansion that sits near the vice president’s official residence in Washington, DC’s exclusive Observatory Circle has hit the market for the first time in more than a decade—with an asking price of $10.75 million.
The Heurich-Parks House offers many an impressive amenity, but it is the property’s unrivaled proximity to the vice president’s mansion at No. 1 Observatory Circle—which is currently occupied by JD Vance—and the Naval Observatory that really make it shine.
Built in 1925 by architect Albert S.J. Atkinson, the seven-bedroom mansion was once the personal residence of Christian Heurich Jr., a philanthropic businessman, as well as Marshall Parks, who is known as the “father of pediatric ophthalmology.”
It is currently owned by Thomas Depasquale, chairman of Cerium Pharmaceuticals, who purchased the property “roughly” 10 years ago.
In addition to its plum perch inside the Observatory Circle enclave, the home’s unique architecture has also helped it to become something of a local legend, according to Micah Smith, who is co-listing the property with Robert Hryniewicki, Adam Rackliffe, and Christopher Leary of HRLS Partners at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
“It has an amazing Spanish Mission style architecture that is not super common in the area,” Smith explained. “When Tom bought the property roughly 10 years ago, he undertook a full historic restoration and expansion with BarnesVanze Architects. All of the work was done in 2017.”
The fully reconstructed compound now boasts a primary estate with nine-foot ceilings, a grand staircase, custom millwork, and a fireplace.
Then there are the more intriguing features, such as the indoor pool, which is located in a room with a glass wall that can be opened up to the backyard, giving the illusion of an outdoor space. The property also comes complete with a private elevator.
“The indoor pool is pretty incredible and there is also a full pool bath and bar that walks out to the garden,” Smith said. “An elevator offers access from the lower level up to the second floor.”
A circular driveway leads to a detached two-car garage with guest studio above designed for extended family and friends.
“The studio also has a full bathroom,” he added. “A parcel of this size is pretty unique for this area and it’s super flat. If you live in DC, chances are you drive past this home daily. It’s the first house north of the vice president’s mansion.”
Designed for entertaining, the luxurious open kitchen has marble countertops, two islands, a coffee station, herringbone floors, and a breakfast room that overlooks the private grounds.
The primary suite boasts dual walk-in closets and a spa-inspired bathroom with soaking tub.
A spacious lower level features a recreation room, fitness center, wine storage system, sauna, a secure safe room, and other rooms for added storage. A spacious patio overlooks the fenced-in yard.
Smith said the estate is currently being used as a primary residence and may continue to be used that way.
“As a primary residence, it has everything you could want in resort-style living,” he said. “It also could be an embassy or an institution wanting it, or a prominent individual who wants to establish residency in DC.”
The property is also ideally sited with close proximity to restaurants, parks, and nightlife.
“It is positioned well in the middle of everything,” Smith noted. “It is up the street from Embassy Row and Georgetown, and borders Wisconsin Avenue so you can walk to restaurants. It is also not too far from Cleveland Park to the north that has lots of private schools.”
As for the neighborhood, it is one of the most prominent—and exclusive—in the DC area, with the United States Naval Observatory located at the heart of Observatory Circle, while the James Melville Library and the British Embassy are just a short walk away.
The vice president’s official residence is located just inside Observatory Circle, on a grassy and very private plot. That property is currently home to Vance, his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children, who all moved into the mansion soon after Vance took office in January 2025, alongside President Donald Trump.
Vance put his Alexandria, VA, abode on the market on Feb. 27, 2025—almost a month to the day after he moved into the official residence of the vice president.
Just five days later, the home’s status was changed to “pending” sale; and within three weeks, that deal had closed, with the final purchase price revealed as $1,867,025—$172,025 over Vance’s $1.69 million list price, as first reported by Forbes.
Property records seen by Realtor.com® reveal that the purchase was carried out via an LLC called 9 EDR LLC, which lists Christopher Garcia as its managing member.
Garcia had a short-lived role in Trump’s first administration, serving as the acting director of the Minority Business Development Agency in 2017, before moving on to a role as the acting deputy director of the U.S. Department of Commerce that he held until 2018.