Historic Hickory Hill Gets Large Addition, First Garage, Loses 15 Trees

The new owner of historic Hickory Hill, where the Kennedy family lived for years, is adding a three-story addition on the west side of the house, building the home's first garage and cutting down 15 trees from the grounds.

That's right, Hickory Hill has no garage. Two are now under construction--- a five-car garage will be built under the new west wing addition plus a separate two story, three-car garage with a balcony on second floor.

When we last visited Hickory Hill, one of America's best known addresses, Alan J. Dabbiere, a McLean resident and Atlanta businessman, had bought it for and gutted it.

Dabbiere declined our request to comment on the extensive expansion project.

Hickory Hill is covered in Kennedy pixie dust. Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy first owned it. Then Jack and Jackie Kennedy moved in. They didn't stay very long. Then Bobby and Ethel Kennedy moved in and raised their 11 children. The address became legendary for its parties, its owners and its family.

Fairfax County recently approved plans that allow the Dabbieres to have a home with 20 bathroom/hand sinks, 10 showers, and 16 toilets.

The three-story addition includes an exercise room, a wine room, a family dining room (formal dining room is in the existing home), a family room and sun room in the back, a craft room, a media room complete with bar and a "bunk room," according to plans filed with Fairfax County

The plans call from removing 15 mature trees, including a Norway Spruce, Willow Oak, Black Locust,  two Chinese Elms, Black Walnut, two Red Cedars, a Magnolia, ornamental Cherry trees and Blue Spruce to make room for the new construction.

The existing tennis court, swimming pool, stable and the stone wall along Chain Bridge Road will remain, the plans say. A stone wall to the right of home will be removed. The wall was built in 1931, according to county documents.

Hickory Hill,  a 7,850-square-foot Georgian Revival home built in 1870, with a 1931 addition, sits on a 5.6-acre property. It used to contain 13 bedrooms and 10 baths, 9 fireplaces, a tennis court and pool, according to the county tax records.

The interior has been gutted to the exterior walls. No trespassing signs abound.

Since Hickory Hill is a National Historic Landmark, the county's Architectural Review  Board had to approve the color of the exterior and the shutters.  Benjamin Moore white was approved for the exterior, including windows and cornishes. Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green was approved for the shutters, according to county records.

The new owner, Alan Dabbiere, is the chairman of AirWatch, an Atlanta company specializing in managing mobile devices. He is also the president of AJD, LLC, a privately held investment company, and serves on the board of PrimeRevenue, an Atlanta-based supply chain finance company, according to the AirWatch website. He also serves on the board of McLean's Potomac School.