Where Tradition Takes Root: Revitalizing the Reed House at Georgetown University

Georgetown University campus, Washington, DC

The Reed House, home of the Georgetown University Alumni Association at 35th and O Streets, received a comprehensive landscape renovation and targeted hardscape repairs to restore its historic presence within the Georgetown streetscape. Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution, and its surrounding neighborhood reflects centuries of layered architectural and cultural history. The Reed House sits within this context of enduring Federal‑era structures, collegiate tradition, and finely scaled urban gardens.

New plantings were selected for their urban resilience, year‑round structure, and compatibility with the property’s historic character. The refreshed palette includes Inkberry Holly, Nandina, and fastigiate Sweetgum to provide vertical definition and evergreen enclosure. Seasonal layers of Allium, Salvia, and Catnip introduce color, movement, and pollinator‑friendly interest while remaining well‑suited to the dense, walkable fabric of Georgetown.

Together, these elements create a dignified, durable landscape that supports the Reed House’s role as a welcoming institutional residence and a quiet extension of Georgetown University’s long academic legacy.