Willowbrook Drive Estate: Inside Potomac’s Most Impressive Address
I have walked through a lot of impressive homes in my career, but Willowbrook Drive Estate in Potomac, Maryland still stands out. It is not one house. It is a whole street of large, well-built homes, and it happens to include the biggest private residence in the entire state. As an architect who writes about homes for rivonhome, I wanted to break down what makes this address so special, in plain, simple terms.
In this guide, I will cover the location, the homes, the architecture, the market, and what any homeowner can learn from this neighborhood.
Where Is Willowbrook Drive Estate Located?
Willowbrook Drive sits in Potomac, Maryland, inside Montgomery County, about 20 minutes from Washington, D.C. This part of Potomac is known as the Kentsdale Estates area. It is a quiet, tree-lined street with large lots, long driveways, and homes set far back from the road.
The zip code is 20854, one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country. Buyers here are drawn to the privacy, the mature trees, and the closeness to Potomac Village and Bethesda. The area is zoned for large-lot residential use, which is why lots on this street often run from a third of an acre to several acres.
Willowbrook Drive Estate: Home to Maryland’s Largest Private Residence
The most talked-about property on the street sits at 10423 Willowbrook Drive. This French château-style mansion is owned by Dr. Inder Chawla and is recognized as the largest home in Maryland, at more than 50,000 square feet.
Here is what makes this Potomac mansion so unusual:
- Size: Over 50,000 square feet of living space, built on roughly five acres
- Style: French château-inspired design with a grand dual staircase
- Bathrooms: 12 to 15 bathrooms, depending on the source
- Built: Completed in phases, with major work finishing around 2017
- Extras: Landscaped gardens, an infinity pool, and a multi-car garage
A home this size is rare anywhere in the country. Most estates this large belong to historic families or business owners, not new construction. That is part of what makes this one interesting to architects like me. It shows what is possible today, not just what was built a century ago.
Other Notable Homes Along Willowbrook Drive Estate
The giant château is the most famous house here, but it is far from the only one worth knowing about. This street has a wide mix of homes, from mid-size colonials to large custom builds.
| Address | Approx. Size | Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10423 Willowbrook Dr | 50,000+ sq ft | 2017 | Largest home in Maryland |
| 10407 Willowbrook Dr | 11,000+ sq ft | 1998 | 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms |
| 10400 Willowbrook Dr | 6,060 sq ft | 1987 | 6.5 bathrooms |
| 10619 Willowbrook Dr | 6,807 sq ft | Renovated | Sold for $2,350,000 in 2024 |
| 11220 Willowbrook Dr | 4,440 sq ft | 1968 | Updated colonial with pool and spa |
| 11212 Willowbrook Dr | Colonial | 1968 | Near Buck Branch Park |
Even the smaller homes on this Willowbrook Drive Estate are well above the size of a typical American house. A 4,400-square-foot colonial with a pool and spa would be a standout home in most neighborhoods. On Willowbrook Drive, it is closer to the average.
The Architecture Style That Defines This Willowbrook Drive Estate Street
Homes on this Willowbrook Drive Estate are not all one style, and that is actually part of the charm. As I walk this street mentally through listing photos and site plans, I see three main types.
French château and European-inspired mansions
The largest home on the street leans into this style, with steep rooflines, symmetrical facades, and formal staircases. These homes borrow heavily from historic European estates but use modern materials and construction methods.
Classic American colonials
Many homes here, like 11220 and 11212 Willowbrook Drive, are traditional colonials. Think brick or siding exteriors, front porches, and simple, balanced window layouts. These homes have been updated over the decades but kept their original bones.
Custom contemporary estate
Some of the newer builds mix traditional shapes with larger windows, open floor plans, and resort-style backyards, including pools, spas, and outdoor kitchens.
If you are building or renovating a large home, this mix is a good reminder: a great street does not need one matching style. It needs good proportions, quality materials, and homes that respect their lot size. That is a principle I always bring into my own architecture work.
Real Estate Market on Willowbrook Drive Estate: What Buyers Should Know
Home prices on Willowbrook Drive Estate vary a lot, based mostly on size, lot, and how recently the home was updated.
- Entry-level homes: Around $1.6 million to $2.5 million for updated colonials near 4,000 to 7,000 square feet
- Mid-size estates: $2.5 million to $5 million for larger, more custom homes
- The largest estate: Estimated between $5 million and $7 million, though it is hard to price a one-of-a-kind house like this
- Lot sizes: Typically a third of an acre up to five acres or more
- Property taxes: Often $14,000 or higher per year, tied to home value and land size
Prices move with the wider Potomac market, so it is worth checking current listings before assuming any number is accurate today. If you want to understand zoning rules that shape lot sizes in this part of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Planning Department publishes updated residential zoning maps and guidelines.
Life in the Willowbrook Drive Estate Neighborhood
Living on Willowbrook Drive Estate means space, privacy, and easy access to good schools. Homes here feed into Beverly Farms Elementary, Herbert Hoover Middle School, and Winston Churchill High School, all part of Montgomery County Public Schools.
The street itself is quiet, with mature trees and a cul-de-sac feel in parts of the neighborhood, even though it connects to busier roads nearby. Residents are close to Buck Branch Park, Falls Road Golf Course, and Potomac Village, so daily errands and outdoor time do not require a long drive.
This mix of privacy and convenience is exactly why these properties in Willowbrook Drive Estate hold their value so well. Buyers get a big lot without giving up access to the city.
Design Lessons From These Potomac Homes
You do not need a 50,000-square-foot mansion to borrow ideas from this street. A few things stand out to me as an architect that any homeowner can use.
- Let the entry set the tone. Almost every home here uses a strong front entrance, whether it is a grand staircase or a simple front porch. First impressions matter in design.
- Build for real living, not just show. The most livable homes on this street balance formal rooms with everyday spaces, like eat-in kitchens and family rooms.
- Treat the backyard as another room. Pools, spas, patios, and fire pits show up again and again. Outdoor space is part of the home, not an afterthought.
- Respect the lot. Large homes here are set back and landscaped to fit their land, not overwhelm it.
If you are planning updates to your own home, our Home Decor section has practical ideas for bringing some of this same balance of elegance and comfort into any size house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Willowbrook Drive Estate the same as the largest house in Maryland?
The largest house in Maryland is one specific home on Willowbrook Drive, at 10423 Willowbrook Drive in Potomac. The name refers more broadly to the street and its whole collection of large homes.
How big is the largest home on Willowbrook Drive?
It measures over 50,000 square feet, making it the biggest private residence in Maryland.
What style are the homes on Willowbrook Drive?
The street has a mix of French château-inspired mansions, traditional American colonials, and custom contemporary estates.
Are homes on Willowbrook Drive expensive?
Yes. Prices generally start around $1.6 million and can reach several million dollars for the largest properties.
What school district serves Willowbrook Drive?
Homes here are part of Montgomery County Public Schools, feeding into Beverly Farms Elementary, Herbert Hoover Middle School, and Winston Churchill High School.
Final Thoughts
Willowbrook Drive Estate is proof that a single street can hold decades of architectural history, from 1960s colonials to a modern French château. What ties it all together is careful design, generous lots, and homes built to last. Whether you are dreaming about a mansion like the one at 10423 Willowbrook Drive, or just want to bring a bit of that same thoughtful design into your own home, there is a lot to learn from this address.
