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Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft

Condo with kitchen, near White House

Photo gallery for Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft

Interior - Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft (Washington)
5 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets - Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft (Washington)
Exterior - Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft (Washington)
Smart TV, fireplace - Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft (Washington)
Interior - Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft (Washington)
The Firehouse on R offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort in the heart of DC's Shaw neighborhood. This penthouse sleeps 14 comfortably with 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and amenities that reflect its rich history.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Entire condo

5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire condo to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft

Located in the Shaw neighborhood, one of DC's most hip, slick and cool areas, The Firehouse on R housed the first Fully African American Fire company in Washington DC! Built in 1884 and fully renovated in 2017 by a world famous interior designer and TV celebrity, the Firehouse merges exposed architectural beauty with historic photography and modern amenities/design. Total space is roughly 3000 square feet (or 280 square meters). Penthouse sleeps 14 comfortably with 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. 2 parking spaces & amenities included in price.

As seen on Netflix's TV Series "Stay Here" (Season 1, Episode 8)

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the condo: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

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  • Washing machine
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 22

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 5007242201001530

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft Condo
Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft Washington
Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft Condo Washington

About the area

Map
Washington, DC

What's nearby

  • Howard Theatre - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Howard University - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Walter E. Washington Convention Center - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • CityCenterDC - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Capital One Arena - 3 min drive - 2.1 km

Getting around

  • Shaw Station - 5 min walk
  • New Carrollton Station - 15 min drive
  • Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sost - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪All Souls Bar - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Ambar Balkan Cuisine - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪The Coffee Bar - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Dacha Beer Garden - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft located?

Located in Northwest, this condo building is within a 15-minute walk of Howard Theatre and Howard University. Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Capital One Arena are also within 1 mile (2 km). Shaw Station is 5 minutes by foot and U Street Station is 9 minutes.

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Historic DC Firehouse Penthouse Loft Reviews

Reviews

Very good

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 29 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 29 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 29 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 29 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews

8.0

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Cristina- R.

Loved the location to down town, loved the host communication.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Judson L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a fun place to stay. Very unique.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edward N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place in an awesome neighborhood

It’s a great place with lots of space for everyone. We enjoyed our stay. Close to the Metro and awesome restaurants. Highly recommended
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dori J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!

The location was great - within easy walking distance of the metro stop, restaurants, and grocery stores. There was plenty of room for our group. The historical character of the architecture is wonderful. Overall, a great experience. We highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

brooks m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

Very cool house in a very convenient location.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Monica S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Reunion

It was a fantastic stay. Location great. Property had everything we needed. Beds and towels were great.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gara F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Epic stay

Perfect location … awesome vibe …. beautiful architecture … incredible photography … super comfy beds … we will be back. This place is a gem and Michael is an excellent host. The AC kept us cool when we came in from the 100 degree heat. Thank you for hosting our meaningful and memorable week in DC! Thank you for having us.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Unique Setting for Lasting Memories

We had an incredible weekend staying at this beautifully converted firehouse in Washington, DC! Our group of 13 women (ages 21-45) found the space to be absolutely perfect for our getaway. The layout is fantastic, with plenty of comfortable sleeping accommodations that allowed everyone to have their own space while still feeling connected. The open common areas made it easy to gather, whether for meals, games, or just relaxing.The amenities were well thought out and easy to find, making our stay seamless from start to finish. Whether we were staying in and enjoying the unique charm of the firehouse or heading out to explore DC, the location worked perfectly. The neighborhood felt safe, and we had no trouble getting to restaurants, bars, and local attractions.This is an ideal spot for a large group looking for a fun and memorable stay. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samantha E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and comfortable

Our group of 9 had plenty of room. We really enjoyed having a large kitchen to do meals in and hang out. The natural lighting from the front windows and skylight was lovely. It was also nice to be able to do laundry. The firehouse is situated in a nice area, within easy walking distance of metro stop, restaurants, and grocery stores. Great experience, and glad we found this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

6/10 Okay

katherine h.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness

Bed Linen s /bath towels

Alot of stairs for carrying luggage and cooler /needed updated bed linens and not alot of towels no wash cloths owner needs to check why Led lights under upstairs cabinets not sure why it was there Check for hidden cameras ,Over all things were nice /but not great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maryalice M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

MCM weekend

Couple of us came down for the MCM my 3 yr old nephew was entertained the entire time with all the workings and dress up equipment required to be a fireman !! While the rest of us enjoyed group dinners in the spacious easily entertaining kitchen loved the entire weekend thanks DC firehouse !!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun Experience

Overall we had a good stay. The property was clean and ready for us upon arrival. We were a family of 10 so we had plenty of sleeping areas. The bedrooms just inside the door were terribly hot throughout our stay, they have 1 fan in there which just doesn’t do what is needed during the hotter months apparently. The upstairs bedrooms stayed cool but there is some dripping from the vents onto the floors/bed. There are lots of stairs so just be ready for that. It had one working washer and dryer on the main floor, the one in the upstairs bedroom didn’t work for us but we were happy to have the one. They could use tvs in the bedrooms, the lighting throughout the apartment is different, and there aren’t outlets in all the bathrooms, but you can make it all work.It is a unique space and they tried to keep with the theme of the building in the decor so sometimes function is lost to that. Some couches/chairs could use updating but again, it all worked. They did have towels, some bathroom supplies, dishes, etc. which are convenient to have. D
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Dianne K.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in

The Historical Place in Good Location

Upon entering it had not been cleaned. Contacted owner and was told they would be out Sunday morning to clean. Refrigerator not working at all, had to use. Very small unit that came from somewhere. The grandkids enjoyed staying and said it was close to almost everything. Suggestion, let people know how many stairs they must climb. Anyone with a disability couldn’t do it. Was told we would receive a refund for. Our cleaning deposit.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Women of V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

DC Firehouse

Excellent Everything! Owner was super gracious. Mike “Firehouse” keeps a nice lodging. Roomy enough for all 5 of us. Two TVs. Washer and dryers, extra blankets. Easy location, walking, biking. Uber comes at lightening speed. Close to DC’s most visited monuments. Highly reccomend The Unconventional Diner for breakfast. As an historic African American Collective, we were bowled over by the history of this site, which is curated on the walls and windows. You will enjoy a carefree and beautiful stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

4/10 Poor

Lisa B., Washington DC

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Great location but….

Even though the firehouse is cool, historic and a good location, it needs some attention. One refrigerator door pull is missing. The stove is dirty, could not get all burners to work and one stove pull was held on by a wire. Upstairs bedroom smells moldy. Couldn’t get the fireplace to work. Shower turns on with pliers and carpet worn out and stained.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

4/10 Poor

Shauna H.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Misleading Listing & Poor Conditions – Not Worth the Price

This rental was a huge disappointment. There was no hot water for the first two days, and on day four, the water shut off completely for 20 minutes. We later learned the owner knew in advance due to plumbing work below but never told us—and ignored our calls during the outage. We were offered only one night’s refund, and VRBO support was no help.The listing photos are very outdated—at least 8 years old—and don’t reflect the current condition. The upstairs electricity didn’t work, ceiling holes were exposed, and lights didn’t work in some rooms. The beds were not as described—one bunk bed had a mattress under two inches thick, and others were uncomfortable.We also found underwear in the dryer, hair in the shower, and the shower knob wasn’t attached. The Wi-Fi only worked in the living room, and there were old boards in the rafters. On the last day, a rat ran through the house.The location and historic charm can’t make up for the poor maintenance, misleading listing, and lack of accountability. Not worth the money.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Valerie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Unique historic property in great neighborhood

We enjoyed our stay so much at the old firehouse. The Shaw district is amazing, plenty of restaurants within walking distance and only a couple blocks from the Metro. It was super convenient. The property has great space to accommodate a larger group and so much character. Overall, we enjoyed the experience. However, the space could use a bit of TLC to replace missing knobs and handles. Also, there are two washer/dryer locations - however, only one washer and one dryer worked. And not on the same floor. This is an easy enough fix and I am sure it is on the landlords list to do. My biggest disappointment was that there was not really a good area to gather, like around a table. We like to gather and play games. The only viable spot was the kitchen counter, which had a large sink in the middle, making it tough for everyone to co-mingle. Also, the stools are too high for the counter, so your knees are bumping underneath if you weren't careful, which was painful. I recommend putting a gathering table and chairs in one of the rooms.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

James D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was awesome staying in the historic firehouse! The house was very clean and slept 10 people very comfortably. The location is great, and the host was very responsive before we checked in. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great historic property!

We had a great stay. The place was located in a good area convenient to metro. We utilized both the metro and uber. There was a grocery store about 15 minute walk away. The house was clean. There were pots, dishes and dishwasher which came in handy with kids. Overall great little vacation. We hope to stay here again in the future!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Merlin B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Firehouse

This property was exactly what our family was looking for on our trip to Washington D.C. Staying at a site of historic significance was great and the location was wonderful. Wish we could rate the location six stars. The rooftop view at night was a thrill.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Travis B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Unique Property in a Great Location

A group of 14 of us stayed at the Firehouse and we loved it! Definitely will book again for future trips into DC with family and friends! Comfortable with lots of space
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Katherine N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay in DC!

Beautiful property in a great neighborhood in DC. Owner is very communicative!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alicia P B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for multigenerational family

Love the Firehouse. Spacious and bright. Kitchen and amenities were awesome.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Holly B.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

melanie h.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

Unique property, but there were rodents

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025