The Washington home of the late PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer, who passed away at the age of 85, has been offered for sale for $5 million. Jim Lehrer, co-founder and long-time presenter of the 'PBS NewsHour', and his wife, novelist Kate Lehrer, acquired the traditional residence in Cleveland Park in 1979 for $395,000 and lived there for over four decades. The property, which is coming to market for the first time since its acquisition by the Lehrer family, reflects the timeless character and elegance that distinguished one of journalism's most respected figures.
The property spans an area of 6,699 square feet. The six bedrooms and five bathrooms offer generous living space. The house is situated on a double plot and offers views of the Cathedral. Further amenities include an expansive library, a light-filled conservatory, a 50-foot swimming pool, a wraparound front garden, and a detached garage. Michael Moore from Compass is available for further information.
Interior of the Lehrer residence
The entrance area opens into a bright foyer, framed by tall windows that direct the gaze to the greenery of the front garden. Warm wooden floors lead from the entrance to a central staircase, while mirrored doors and light walls further open up the space. Directly from the foyer, one enters a library with floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves that clad almost every wall in warm wood, interrupted only by tall sash windows. In the centre of the room, a seating group with two sofas and armchairs is arranged around a round coffee table on a large rug.
At the end of the library, an opening leads into the conservatory, seamlessly connecting the room to further communal areas of the house. In the conservatory, almost all walls feature oversized windows, while skylights let in additional daylight. A cosy seating area is arranged around a woven coffee table, forming a relaxing retreat. A small dining table, placed next to the windows, offers the ideal spot for morning coffee with a view of the greenery. Through a door at the rear of the conservatory, one reaches another main living room.
- —Price: $5 million
- —Location: Washington, D.C.
- —Size: 6,699 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
- —Special features: Double plot, Cathedral view, library, conservatory, 50-foot swimming pool
The interior design
The large living room features a wall of sash windows and built-in cabinets, maintaining the connection to the conservatory and gardens and flooding the room with light. A traditional fireplace, framed by built-in shelves and topped by a simple mantelpiece, serves as a central focal point. Carefully placed artwork and soft, neutral surfaces, combined with a curved sofa and checked armchairs, lend the room a timeless ambience. On the way to the kitchen, one passes a charming wet bar, cleverly integrated into a corner, which provides a practical transition between the home's entertainment areas. The compact space is characterised by vintage glass-fronted cabinets, warm butcher block worktops, and a small sink beneath the window.
Through the wet bar, one enters the kitchen area with high-gloss white cabinets extending to the ceiling on both sides and a classic black-and-white chequered floor. At the end of the kitchen, a built-in breakfast nook with wraparound bench seating under a large window offers space for casual meals. Stainless steel worktops on both sides and matching, updated appliances integrated alongside vintage furniture underscore the efficient layout. In the opposite area, a large vintage-style cooker forms the centre of the kitchen, framed by the stainless steel surfaces and additional built-in cabinets. The formal dining room, in the next room, is accented by a pair of original stained-glass windows. Their intricate green-blue glasswork adds a striking historical detail, while a contemporary painting in between creates a subtle contrast between the historical character of the house and its modernised interiors.
A large wooden dining table is surrounded by white upholstered chairs, providing seating for family meals or larger gatherings. The Primary Suite upstairs extends over a large part of the upper level and continues the classic style of the entire residence. The bedroom, centred around a tufted upholstered bed, features wooden floors, soft neutral walls, and crown mouldings that highlight the traditional architecture of the house. A marble fireplace with an intricately detailed mantelpiece is located on one wall, framed by built-in shelves, while another wall offers a small seating area beneath the windows.
Beyond the bedroom, the suite opens into a large walk-in wardrobe with custom built-in cabinets arranged on both sides, including mirrored cabinets, drawers, and open shelving. Adjacent to the wardrobe is a dressing area with a marble worktop, integrated seating, and brass fixtures, providing a separate space for daily preparation. The bathroom, which completes the suite, retains much of the home's original character by combining white tiled floors and walls with vintage-style vanity units.
