Second Empire

Second Empire

Popular in the Midwest and Northeast, this Victorian style was fashionable for public buildings during Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency, but its elaborate, costly detail fell out of favor in the late 1800s for economic reasons. Second empire homes feature windows, molded cornices, and decorative brackets under the eaves. One subtype sports a rectangular tower at the front and center of the structure.

There are several examples of this style in Old Town Alexandria, all of which were perhaps built in the post-Civil War growth of government under President Grant. The condos at 900 N. Washington closely follow this design style.

typical Second Empire architecture