Let's Build Luxury Condos in Chestnut Lodge Insane Asylum

Shades of Poltergeist 1, 2 and 3, in its infinite wisdom, a real estate developer is going to do it. They are building luxury housing over Chestnut Lodge, a notorious Washington D.C. suburban institution for the reality impaired. This is one of the most famous land marks of the creepy and macabre, which housed many famous people and has a reputation for being haunted.

Built in 1886 and closed in 2001 at 500 West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville, Maryland it has been the location for the severely schizophrenic, deeply depressed and every other type of mentally diseased person from all over the Country. Neighbors shun it, hear creepy noises coming from it, don't want to talk about it and curse the fact that they live near it. Some even called it Hannibal's House and worse. They just want it gone, destroyed and never mentioned again.

During its history Chestnut Lodges 20 acres were rumored to contain victims of the CIA's experiment with mind altering substances and Fort Detrick's LSD experiments and chemical agent tests. It was famous for being the institution where Joanne Greenburg (pseudonym Hannah Green), who wrote the book I Never Promised You A Rose Garden relating her treatment was locked up. Many famous but anonymous performers were alumnae of this institution during its existence. Phil Graham, noted Publisher and businessman also was a resident of Chestnut Lodge.

In 2001 the property was closed as a treatment center and sold in December, 2003 to Chestnut Lodge Properties, Inc. This development company intends to build 43 residential units and condominiums for sale all being in the $1 million dollar plus price range. The original building itself will be converted into seven luxury condos. 36 Victorian style homes, some with elevators, will be built on the rest of the property. Two cottages, an ice-house and a barn will also be restored.

Where else can you buy so much a home with so much history and atmosphere for so much money. The new residents will be able to walk the grounds listening for the shrieks reported by nearby neighbors, strange lights, unusual sounds and maybe even ghosts of past inmates or the three generations of the Bullard family, who treated them.

Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it for a mere million dollars or more. You may even see the ghost of Hannibal Lechter eating his midnight snack. Don't sit down if he asks you over for dinner. You just might be the main course.