Spite houses are fascinating buildings, erected, not primarily for occupation, but to confound neighbors or to annoy locals. And they include America's smallest house, The Spite House in Queen Street, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
This historic home is just 7ft wide and around 25ft deep, and 325 sq ft in total across its two stories. Painted bright blue, it's a tourist attraction that Alexandria is rightly proud of. And, as you might hope, it comes with a history as fascinating as its proportions. Read on to find out more.
See more: America's most expensive house: Don't miss the chance to tour this awesome home
A post shared by Visit Alexandria VA (@visitalexva)
A photo posted by on
The Spite House was built in 1830 by John Hollensbury, a city council member and brickmaker who owned the houses either side. But he wasn't building the house to gain more space for a growing family... instead, he built it to block the alley that ran between the houses so that careless horse-drawn wagon drivers whose wheels had already damaged the exterior walls his homes would no longer have access. He was also bothered by noisy people gathering in the alley.
Hollensbury didn't work too hard on the structure of The Spite House – if anything he merely blocked the alley at either end, using the brick walls of the existing houses to provide the side walls. The gouges made by the wagon wheels were never repaired, and add character of the living room walls, something that's appreciated by the owners, who renovated it around 10 years ago.
The Spite House in 1924, below
A post shared by Goodies Frozen Custard &Treats (@mmmgoodies)
A photo posted by on
So what's it like inside? Amazingly, it packs a lot of punch for a home that bears the title of America's smallest house.
As you go through the front door, you enter the living room, with its charming exposed ceiling beams, painted brick walls and mantel, creating a faux fireplace the sofa and armchair group around. Beyond the living space, there is a narrow staircase to the second floor.
There is a cupboard under the stairs with space for a microwave oven on top; on the opposite wall of this narrowest of galley kitchens is a kitchen counter, which houses a range, a kitchen sink, a refrigerator and freezer. Next to the cupboard under the stairs is a wooden kitchen table, pushed against the wall. Space is tight but there's room for two to dine comfortably, three or four at a push. Clever use is made of vertical space, with high shelves for display of antique artefacts.
Beyond the kitchen is a pretty patio garden, accessed through French doors.
See more: Small kitchen ideas– to turn your compact kitchen into a smart, organised space
A post shared by Kimberly A. Akers 🌴 (@nashvillegirl88)
A photo posted by on
Upstairs, the hallway is lined with storage cupboards. In fact, clever storage is a running theme upstairs, with cupboard space even found for a stacked washer-dryer. The bedroom at the front of The Spite House has just enough space for a double bed, pushed against the wall. At the back of the house is a bathroom with a handsome roll top, freestanding bath.
The Skinny House – another tiny spite house
A post shared by TU DINH | UTAH REALTOR (@realtortudinh)
A photo posted by on
A close runner up for the title of America's smallest house is The Skinny House in Boston (above). Unsurprisingly, it's also a spite house. This 10ft wide property on Hull Street in Boston went on sale back in 2017 for an amazing $895,000. The house, with its four stories, does boast more space – 1,166 square feet to be exact – and has a back yard and roof terrace.
According to local legend – and it's just the most interesting one that circulates – the house stands on land that was left to two brothers by their father. While one was away serving in the American Civil War, the other took advantage, building himself a large home on the plot, certain that there was no room for a house to be built next to it. The soldier is said to have returned from war and built the narrow house out of spite, blocking his brother's views and sunlight.
Which is the most famous spite house?
Arguably, the most famous of the spite houses is the Richardson Spite House that used to sit on Lexington Avenue in New York. This four story, 5ft wide house was built in 1882, but demolished in 1915.
Its owner, Joseph Richardson, built it after the owner of the plot next door, a Hyman Sarner, tried – and failed – to buy the plot for just $1,000. Richardson asked for $5,000 but was refused. So, he built the apartment building that, although tiny, contained eight suites he could lease out profitably.
As a seasoned enthusiast in architectural history and quirky constructions, let me delve into the fascinating world of spite houses with a depth of knowledge that goes beyond mere anecdotes. My expertise stems from a thorough understanding of the historical and architectural contexts surrounding these peculiar structures.
The article introduces us to The Spite House in Queen Street, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia—an iconic example of this unique architectural phenomenon. Built in 1830 by John Hollensbury, a city council member and brickmaker, The Spite House stands as a testament to human creativity driven by a desire to confound neighbors and address personal grievances.
Hollensbury's motivation for constructing The Spite House was not rooted in the typical need for more living space but rather in his frustration with careless horse-drawn wagon drivers damaging the exterior walls of his adjacent homes. The house, measuring a mere 7 feet wide and approximately 25 feet deep, was strategically placed to block an alley frequented by these disruptive wagon drivers. The construction was minimal, with Hollensbury essentially using the existing brick walls of the neighboring houses to form the sides of his spiteful creation.
The interior of The Spite House, despite its diminutive size, surprises with clever spatial utilization. The living room boasts exposed ceiling beams, painted brick walls, and a faux fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere. The narrow galley kitchen, situated beyond the living space, ingeniously maximizes vertical storage and features essential appliances. The second floor accommodates a bedroom, a bathroom with a roll-top freestanding bath, and ample storage, showcasing the efficiency of design within constrained dimensions.
The article also highlights another famous spite house—the Skinny House in Boston. Measuring only 10 feet in width and spanning four stories, this property went on sale for $895,000 in 2017. Legend has it that the house was built out of spite between two brothers, with one taking advantage of the other's absence during the American Civil War to construct a large home. Upon the returning brother's discontent, he erected the Skinny House to obstruct views and sunlight, illustrating the personal motivations behind such constructions.
Moreover, the article briefly touches upon the Richardson Spite House in New York, a four-story, 5-foot wide structure built in 1882 and demolished in 1915. Owned by Joseph Richardson, this house is a notable example of spite-driven construction, as Richardson sought revenge against a neighbor who refused his offer to purchase a plot of land. The resultant tiny apartment building contained eight suites, showcasing Richardson's determination to profit from his unique form of retaliation.
In conclusion, spite houses like The Spite House in Alexandria and others mentioned in the article stand as intriguing relics of human ingenuity, reflecting personal grievances and disputes through architectural expression. These structures not only serve as physical testaments to historical conflicts but also as captivating examples of how individuals have used architecture to communicate their frustrations with the world around them.
