Just 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., the 5,104-square-foot, six-bedroom home was originally designed by architect Donald Lethbridge and built in 1953.

"He is one of the top architects in our area," said Ron Mangas Jr. listing agent for TTR Sotheby's International Realty.

There is much more to this mid-century house than meets the eye.

"The house," Mangas says, "looks like a 1960s brick ranch to others, but then you realise the true size of the house." With over 5,000 square feet of space on two floors, one of which has a 3,500 square foot floor plate, it's very unique."

The living room has a sleek floor-to-ceiling fireplace and a wall of windows which opens onto a spacious deck with expansive views. Beyond that, an inner wall of glass separates the living room from the other living area.

The house is made of concrete, brick and steel with glass between the walls, so there is such a spacious open space because of the way it is built," says Mangas.

The design also makes the most of its surroundings.

"The street name is Ridgeview and when you walk through the front door you can see the Washington skyline," Mangas notes." It was probably one of the first houses built there."

According to Mangas, the house is currently owned by an architect and his family, who have lived there for more than a decade. The listing notes that the family has updated the house "in full sympathy with the original design and materials."

The kitchen and bathrooms were modernised when the sellers bought the 5,104-square-foot house, and other updates have been completed over the years.

The kitchen has a brick wall with a gas fireplace and is very modern," Mangas says." The sellers also replaced all the glass with bespoke sliders to match the architectural style. There are many clever bespoke features throughout the house."

There are four bedrooms on the main level and two more downstairs. A spacious master suite has a separate sitting room with a fireplace, soaking tub, glass shower and double sinks. One of the bedrooms is used as a home office and offers a bespoke desk and built in furniture.

The lower level has a stone wall, slate entrance, hardwood floors, and a fitness room and bar area. An additional recreation room leads to the backyard.

Mangas believes the house will be sold to someone with a genuine interest in mid-century modern design.

"I definitely expect it to get a lot of attention from people who like mid-century style, but I believe the next buyer is likely to be a connoisseur of some sort," he says.