31 Bay Drive

31 Bay Drive, the most iconic home in Bay Ridge, offers Mediterranean style with incredible, panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay. This elegant property includes a lovingly-restored and remodeled home with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and an indoor pool plus 150 ft of frontage facing the Chesapeake Bay. The raised, .41 acre lot provides an unusual amount of privacy in the front yard and in the protected courtyard. Sought-after Bay Ridge offers the complete waterfront lifestyle package: pool, deep-water marina, boat ramp, clubhouse, playground and multiple beaches.

As you step into the 17-room home, you are immediately greeted with its stunning character and charm that continues throughout the home.  The living room has a wood-beamed ceiling, a large wood-burning fireplace, and a wall of windows that take in the exceptional water views.  There are three solid mahogany pocket doors and an amazing staircase that highlights the craftsmanship of an earlier era.  Through the living room to the left is a library with cherry paneling, bookshelves, and cabinets and high ceilings.  The gas-log fireplace and stained-glass window are the centers of attention.  Outside the library is a water view courtyard that is perfect for al fresco dining in warmer months.

To the right of the living room is the formal dining room with complementary wood-beamed ceiling and a gorgeous gas-log fireplace.  This room is situated strategically for optimal views down the Bay past the Thomas Point Lighthouse.  Through the dining room is the beautifully updated kitchen with marble countertops, center island table, lovely cabinetry and updated appliances.  The kitchen opens to a large family room that includes a sitting area for watching TV, custom-designed bar, and access to the attached 3-car garage. This is an area that would also lend itself to a home office workspace.

Upstairs, the luxurious owner’s bedroom enjoys sweeping Bay views and has a private en-suite bath with a large sunken soaking tub facing another gas-log fireplace.  The suite also contains a 2-person shower, stackable laundry, 2 walk-in closets, kitchenette/coffee bar, and a second-floor veranda overlooking the Bay.  This space truly offers a peaceful retreat at the end of the day.  There are two additional bedrooms on this level that share a hall bathroom.  One of these bedrooms has French doors opening onto a second extravagantly large balcony, a wonderful spot for upstairs sunbathing. On the third floor, a portion of the gigantic attic has been finished and makes for a perfect office nook or guest quarters with more water views, an adjoining bath, and access to a third-floor balcony.

The 5-room apartment suite on the second floor has a living room with wood-burning stove, a second kitchen, an entry sunroom/gallery with amazing Chesapeake Bay views, and two bedrooms that share a full bath.  The apartment has a separate exterior entrance and also enjoys access to the second floor veranda.

It’s all here – the elegance of a bygone era that has been updated to include geothermal heating and cooling (no oil bills), and a recent 150-year “Spanish” tile roof over a fully viable second roof of composition material. In its 96-year history, 31 Bay Drive has had only three owners who have always been reluctant to leave; the current owners have owned the property for 42 years. Approximately 40% of the home dates from the beginnings of Bay Ridge in 1924, approximately 20% was constructed in 1988, and the last 40% in the mid-2000s. The oldest section of the house includes the living room and dining room, with 19^th century architectural details taken from the Hay-Adams House then located across Lafayette Square from the White House. The last iteration includes a room with tiled walls that houses the 40-foot fully-tiled pool & 32-foot skylight high above that enhances the oasis setting.

This magnificent Mediterranean home at 31 Bay Drive, with its unparalleled setting, is truly a work of art. Best of all, Bay Ridge residents enjoy so many waterfront amenities and it’s an easy commute to Washington or Baltimore. Be sure to watch the Virtual Open House.

Call the Waterfront Experts to schedule your private showing: 410-266-6880