Kentlands is known for distinctive architecture and community planning, but buyers should avoid assuming that every property in Kentlands has the same historic-preservation status.
The City of Gaithersburg has specific locally designated historic resources located within Kentlands, including the Tschiffely-Kent Mansion, Flour Mill, Barn, Green and Brick Building, and Carriage House. The City separately regulates exterior changes to properties that are individually designated or located within one of Gaithersburg’s locally designated historic districts.
For buyers, the key is to research the individual property rather than making a neighborhood-wide assumption.
Is All of Kentlands a Locally Designated Historic District?
No.
Gaithersburg identifies two locally designated historic districts:
- Brookes, Russell and Walker Historic District
- Chestnut/Meem Historic District.
Kentlands as a whole is not listed by the City as one of those two local historic districts.
However, the City’s official historic-resource list identifies several individually designated resources within Kentlands.
This distinction is important for buyers.
“Historic character” and “locally designated historic property” are not interchangeable terms.
Which Kentlands Properties Are Locally Designated Historic Resources?
Gaithersburg’s published list of locally designated historic resources includes several Tschiffely-Kent properties.
They include:
Tschiffely-Kent Mansion
The Kentlands Mansion at 320 Kent Square Road is listed as a locally designated historic resource.
Tschiffely-Kent Flour Mill
The Flour Mill at 320 Firehouse Lane is also individually designated.
Tschiffely-Kent Barn
The historic barn, now associated with the Arts Barn, at 311 Kent Square Road is on the City’s designation list.
Tschiffely-Kent Green and Brick Building
The resource identified by the City as the Green and Brick Building, also referred to as the Dog and Cat House, at 117 Kent Square Road is locally designated.
Tschiffely-Kent Carriage House
The Carriage House at 321 Kent Square Road is another designated resource.
These are specific resources.
Their designation does not mean every residence in Kentlands automatically carries the same status.
Why Does Local Historic Designation Matter?
Gaithersburg states that exterior alterations or changes to locally designated properties require approval from the City’s Historic District Commission.
That means designation can add another review process when changes are proposed.
The City Planning Division administers several historic-preservation processes, including:
- Historic Area Work Permit applications
- Historic Preservation Tax Credit applications
- Demolition Permit applications
- Historic Designation applications
- Courtesy reviews.
For a buyer considering a designated property, these processes are worth understanding before planning exterior renovations.
What Is a Historic Area Work Permit?
Gaithersburg uses the Historic Area Work Permit process for regulated work affecting designated historic resources.
The exact review needed depends on the property and proposed project.
If you are considering purchasing a designated property because you already plan significant exterior changes, ask the City’s Planning Division about the applicable process before assuming those changes can be completed as envisioned.
This is similar to other property due diligence:
You are not trying to predict an approval.
You are trying to understand the existing rules and review process.
Does Historic Review Replace Normal Building Permits?
No.
Historic-preservation approval and ordinary permitting address different requirements.
A project may potentially involve:
- Historic-preservation review
- Building permits
- Electrical permits
- Mechanical permits
- Zoning requirements
- Other City approvals
The exact combination depends on the work.
For buyers, receiving one type of approval should not automatically be interpreted as satisfying every other requirement.
What About Kentlands HOA or Architectural Requirements?
Community architectural rules can represent another separate layer.
A property may potentially be subject to private association requirements in addition to City regulations.
That means buyers planning exterior changes should distinguish among:
Historic-preservation requirements
City permit and zoning requirements
Private association or architectural requirements
These processes serve different purposes.
Before purchasing a property because of a specific renovation idea, investigate each layer that may apply.
What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing a Designated Property?
Start with the property’s exact designation.
Confirm Historic Status
Verify whether the individual property is actually locally designated.
Review Existing Records
Investigate available City historic-preservation information.
Define Your Renovation Plans
Are you planning exterior changes?
If so, identify them as specifically as possible.
Contact the Appropriate City Department
Gaithersburg’s Planning Division handles the City’s historic-preservation program.
Check Other Permit Requirements
Historic review may not be the only approval needed.
Review Private Restrictions
Determine whether applicable association or architectural rules create additional requirements.
This gives buyers a more realistic picture before purchasing.
What If the Home Is Near a Historic Property?
Being located near a historic resource does not automatically mean your property has the same designation.
Again, property-specific verification matters.
The City’s published historic-resource list identifies designated properties by name and address, and Gaithersburg provides information regarding its historic districts and individually designated resources.
If designation status matters to your plans, verify it directly.
Why Is This Useful Even if You’re Not Buying a Historic Property?
Understanding local historic resources can also help buyers better understand the development and built environment of the area they’re considering.
Gaithersburg’s historic-preservation program exists to preserve identified aspects of the City’s built environment, and the City incorporates historic preservation into its broader planning framework.
For a real estate buyer, that information can provide context about why certain buildings are preserved or why specific properties have additional review requirements.
It is factual local knowledge that can be useful without making assumptions about what type of buyer should live in the area.
Should You Avoid a Historically Designated Property?
Historic designation is not automatically a positive or negative.
Different buyers have different property plans.
A buyer who expects few exterior changes may evaluate the situation differently from someone whose purchase depends on a major exterior renovation.
Instead of labeling designation as an advantage or disadvantage, ask:
- What rules apply?
- What do I plan to change?
- What approval process would apply?
- Does the property still fit my plans?
Those questions are more useful than a blanket conclusion.
What About Historic Preservation Tax Credits?
Gaithersburg’s Planning Division administers Historic Preservation Tax Credit applications as part of its preservation services.
Eligibility and requirements are property and project specific.
A buyer should therefore verify current program details with the City rather than assuming that ownership of any older property automatically qualifies for a credit.
What Should You Ask Before Making an Offer?
If historic designation could affect your decision, consider asking:
- Is this individual property locally designated?
- Are previous Historic Area Work Permits available?
- What exterior work has been completed?
- Are there unresolved permit or preservation matters?
- What exterior changes do I hope to make?
- Would those changes require historic review?
- Are additional City permits required?
- Are private architectural restrictions also applicable?
The objective is not to make the purchase process more complicated.
It is to understand the property before committing to it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Properties in Kentlands
Is all of Kentlands a Gaithersburg historic district?
No. Gaithersburg lists the Brookes, Russell and Walker Historic District and Chestnut/Meem Historic District as its two locally designated historic districts. Specific resources within Kentlands are individually designated.
Is Kentlands Mansion a locally designated historic property?
Yes. Gaithersburg’s historic-resource list identifies the Tschiffely-Kent Mansion at 320 Kent Square Road as an individually designated resource.
Is the Arts Barn historically designated?
The City’s list identifies the Tschiffely-Kent Barn at 311 Kent Square Road, associated with the Arts Barn, as a locally designated resource.
Do exterior changes to designated properties require review?
Yes. Gaithersburg states that exterior alterations or changes to locally designated properties require Historic District Commission approval.
Does historic approval replace a building permit?
No. Historic-preservation review and standard City permitting are separate regulatory processes.
Work With Jeremy Rosenthal
Buying in Kentlands means evaluating the individual property rather than relying on assumptions about the neighborhood as a whole. Jeremy Rosenthal is a REALTOR® serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC and helps buyers investigate property-specific considerations, understand available information, and coordinate the real estate process from search through settlement. If you’re considering a home or unique property in Kentlands, Lakelands, or elsewhere in Gaithersburg, contact Jeremy to discuss your options.
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