The Hollensbury Spite House was built in the 1800’s in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. At 7 feet 6 inches wide and 25 feet deep, it’s the skinniest house in the United States.
It was literally built out of spite. The homeowner John Hollensbury was a bricklayer who constructed the 325 square foot brick building in a former alleyway to block horse-drawn wagons and loiterers from disturbing his neighboring properties.
This narrow house features exposed ceiling beams, painted walls and a black wooden mantel over the faux fireplace in the living room, a galley kitchen is equipped with 4 burner gas range, small refrigerator and tall cabinets with open shelving. Upstairs there is a claw footed bathtub and a bedroom overlooking Queen Street.
The bright blue two-story home has drawn international attention by tourists who pose in front of the building.
While the house is a private residence and you can’t go inside, it is included in local history tours.





