A young naval ensign’s romance unfolds within these walls. Welcome to Dorchester Hall. This grand Art Deco apartment building holds a piece of American history. John F Kennedy lived here in apartment 502. That was in 1941. He was a young officer then. He shared the building with his sister Kathleen. She worked for the Washington Times Herald.
Dorchester Hall wasn’t just any apartment building. When it opened it was one of the three largest in Washington. Imagine nearly a thousand tenants filling its 394 apartments. The building’s distinctive buff-brick facade and Art Deco style are instantly recognizable. Architect Francis L Koenig designed this T-shaped masterpiece. He aimed to maximize space. The result is a building filled with unique diagonal living rooms. Some even boast curved bay windows.
Kennedy’s time at Dorchester Hall wasn’t just about military duties. It was also a time of romance. Historians recount a passionate relationship with a Danish journalist. She worked for the Washington Times Herald just like his sister Kathleen. This dramatic episode is featured in Kennedy biographies. His stay was brief lasting from October 1941 to January 1942. After that he was reassigned to Charleston South Carolina. His sister then took over his apartment.
The building itself is a marvel. Think of its elegant lobby with indirect lighting and fluted columns. It features a Peacock Alley leading to the desk. There’s also a bank of elevators. The lobby is the longest in any Washington apartment building. Amenities in 1941 included a doorman parking and air-conditioned hallways. A roof deck offered breathtaking city views. Stores occupied the basement.
Beyond Kennedy Dorchester Hall hosted numerous prominent residents during World War II. These included Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins and several members of Congress. Even crooner Eddie Fisher lived there while serving in the military. Dorchester Hall stands as a testament to a bygone era. It stands as a landmark in Washington DC. A silent witness to the lives of those who called it home.