UPDATE: This report was change to correct factual errors about when the Quayles owned the house.
by Kate Karstens
On Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m., the former estate of the former Vice President, Dan Quayle, will be the item for purchase at an on-site auction. The 4,500 sq. ft. home sits on 1.84 acres of land on a corner lot, surrounded by the wooded hills of McLean and numerous estates. The five-bedroom brick home at 1013 Union Church Road played host to the Quayles from 1977 – 1994, serving as a retreat house during the presidency of George H.W. Bush.
The house was placed on the market over three weeks ago with a list price of $1,595,000. Auctioneer Anne Nouri of Prime Auction Solutions is facilitating the auction of the house.
“In order to attract a large group of buyers, the starting bid will be $850,000,” said Nouri. “This will encourage any possible buyers to stop shuffling their feet and make a decision upfront.”
Spectators are welcome to attend the auction, however interested buyers must register with Prime Auction Solutions and bring funds for 10 percent of the purchase price. A guaranteed deposit must also be made in the form of a Bank Cashier’s Check for $35,000.
Those interested may attend the last open house on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 – 3:00 p.m. The first, however, on Aug. 28, saw few visitors.
“So far, we’ve had a couple people in,” said Nouri during the first open house. “We do expect a large group of buyers for the auction, though. A couple homes in the area have recently been sold for around two or three million.”
The price of the home is credited to not only a celebrity owner, but the addition Dan Quayle made to the side of the house. A great room, 27 by 30, with two sides covered in glass windows, one overlooking the pool in the backyard and one with a street view.
The yard of the house is extensive, with a pool in the backyard, as well as a space for a sport court to be added. The front yard is host to a winding driveway leading to the side of the house and a manicured lawn. The location of the former Quayle estate is convenient as well, only 15 minutes to Tysons Corner and Wolf Trap is under three miles away The buyers will have access to McLean schools and reside 30 minutes from the Capitol.
“When the Vice President would come for the weekend, the Secret Service would guard just over there,” said Nouri, pointing over the large hill that the house rests on to the street.
The house was built in 1977, and Quayle bought it just following his arrival to Washington, D.C. as a member of the House of Representative. He added many amenities: the pool, great room, and a wood stove to add to multiple fireplaces scattered in the home. These additions have led to great expectations for the auction attendance.
The heated political season is opportune for the auction, which is open to both buyers and spectators. “Any property that has celebrity status plays into the selling of the house,” said Nouri. “Especially during the primaries, there is even more interest and we’re expecting a great turnout.”
