The home at 4511 Elkins Ave. in the Park-Elkins Historic District is no stranger to small business, but perhaps the most surprising of those ventures is the ~60 years it spent as a boarding house.

“It’s a fixture in the community, and once you’re inside it’s easy to see how it functioned as a boarding house," owner Erin Tolbert said. "There are so many interesting nooks and features that will make beautiful guest rooms."

The Tolberts purchased the property in 2021 to live in while their home was under renovation. Now, she's decided "the best way to honor the home is to welcome guests into it again."

Work on the 3,900-sqft space coined Sylvan Park Boarding House has already begun. By the time it's ready to open in early 2026, there will be eight guest suites with private bathrooms, a sitting room, and a back courtyard space shared with forthcoming restaurant Tantisimo.

The home will sport a maximalist modern style with preservation of its historical elements at the forefront of the design. A couple of Tolbert's favorite details include the front windows with the lattice and the oversized entryway door, but other original features — from the trim and woodwork to the flooring on the third level — will all be salvaged as well.

As for how a bed and breakfast fits into Sylvan Park, it's Tolbert's belief that the offering complements the neighborhood's already existing amenities.

"We don't have any local lodging," Tolbert said. "I think it'll be great for both visitors to the city to be able to enjoy everything that Sylvan Park has to offer, but then also for neighbors themselves if they have family or friends in town and maybe don't have space to host them."

For progress updates, follow along on social media.