The D.C. area’s 10 oddest homes of 2016

Tacky, unusual, perplexing—each of these words will likely cross your mind as you browse through the following photos of homes that were either listed or sold in the D.C. area in 2016.

From a gaudy penthouse in West End to a stony castle in Bethesda to a White House replica in McLean, these properties are sure to make you say, “Wow.”

Have any other nominations for the weirdest homes? Leave a comment below.

↑ Intense West End penthouse cuts price by almost $500K

Over 170 pollsters responded to this Curbed DC article with more than half saying that this penthouse is undeniably, absolutely tacky on all levels. About a quarter of the pollsters described the $6.495 million listing as stunning, with its mahogany library, climate-controlled wine cellar, and an upper level solarium.

↑ White House replica in McLean to land on the auction market

Ever wanted to live like the President does? This year, homebuyers had the chance to do just that when a White House replica with a “dance room” and two-story “music room” landed on the auction market. Unfortunately, an Oval Office isn’t included inside.

↑ Which Bethesda castle is the most extravagant?

Once again, Curbed DC readers had the chance to answer one question: Which castle is the best castle? And this castle won with roughly 85 percent of the votes. Located in Bethesda, this castle-like mansion was on the market for $3.999 million with top-of-the-line fixtures, an elevator on all four levels, and a lower level in-law suite with a kitchen.

↑ For $535K, live in a former gymnasium/army facility

Next on the list of weird and wonderful homes is this Silver Spring, Maryland abode. It is located in a historic gymnasium building that was constructed in 1907 in order to serve the student body of an all women's finishing school known as National Park Seminary. The Department of the Army later utilized the space to rehabilitate wounded veterans and later facilitate medical research. Each of the condos now in the space are named after a Greek mythological god.

↑ Bosnian government-owned single-family home in Crestwood asks $898K

This single-family home doesn’t look that odd from the outside. Even on the inside, you’ll probably think that, sure, it needs some TLC, but there’s nothing abnormal about how it looks. But it’s the owner that really makes it different. This once bombed single-family home is owned by the Bosnian Government. It was also formerly owned by Ezra Taft Benson, former president of the Mormon church and President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s agriculture secretary.

When it sold for $650,000, it was deteriorating with broken windows and mold covering the walls. After only a couple of months off the market, this Crestwood home returned with a $898,000 asking price.

↑ Live in a Former Georgetown Schoolhouse for $4.8M

Usually, adults only return to school to further their education, not live there. At Georgetown’s Wormley School, this isn’t so. Earlier this year, the c. 1885-constructed building offered one of its duplexes for sale for almost $4.8 million. Inside, it had a 1,200-bottle wine cellar and a "tech system" that controls media, lighting, and cameras.

↑ Odd, angled Potomac home asks $2M

This Potomac, Maryland home might arguably be the weirdest looking home of the bunch. The designer of the property was Roy Mason, a futurist most known for Bethesda's infamous "Mushroom House." Inside, it isn’t as fascinating, but there are skylights, skylights, and more skylights.

↑ Historic Maryland home that was part of the Underground Railroad is on the market for $499K

This listing isn’t so much odd as it is unique for having a rather long history. With over 200 years of history, this property was constructed for a slave owner, but later served as part of the Underground Railroad. Known as the Van Horn house, it welcomed a variety of guests, from Muhammed Ali to Malcom X to the former President of Egypt Anwar Sadat.

↑ This church-turned-condo in Columbia Heights wants $1.25M

Sure, there are plenty of churches in Washington, D.C., but how many of them are actually willing to house people? Approximately two years ago, OPaL converted the former Carolina Missionary Baptist Church into 24 multi-million dollar condos. One of the condos landed on the market this year with stainless steel appliances and high-end fixtures.

↑ This D.C. home blends the old with the new in the most unusual way

Finally, a house fit for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or maybe even Batman’s Two Face. This Tim Burton-esque contemporary oddity is located in Shepherd Park with an atypical facade that blends the old with the new in the most unusual way. Honestly, the architect must have had a hard time saying no.