Company History

In 1888, while head clerk at the United States Fish Commission, Herbert Abraham Gill began buying and selling land in Brookland, a new suburban development in Washington, DC. That year, he transacted approximately forty deeds through his friendship with the two major developers, Benjamin Leighton and Richard Pario. With those connections, H. A. invested in the area known as Rosemount Park, but in 1892, ceded his land to the United States Government for $1 to help form Rock Creek Park.

While real estate business continued to steadily increase, H. A. was promoted to Acting Commissioner of the United States Fish Commission in 1895. The next year, he resigned and opened his first real estate office at 1319 F Street NW. In 1908, H. A.’s son, Theodore Nicholas Gill, Jr. joined the company, and H. A. Gill & Son was formally established. 

In 1917, Washington property values increased 30% in just three years due to population and trade growth in the city. The government, concerned over corruption and fraud in the industry, began contemplating regulation. The real estate industry, in response, formed the Washington Real Estate board to institute standard fees and a code of ethics. H. A. became one of the first members of the Washington Real Estate Board. In 1936, H. A. passed away, leaving the company to his son who moved the office to 1420 New York Avenue NW. Theodore’s son, John W. Gill, became president of the company in 1952 and moved to the company to 1800 Wisconsin Avenue NW. In 1971, H.A. Gill & Son move down the block to its current location at 1722 Wisconsin Avenue NW. 

Now run by John W. Gill, Jr., the Gill family has served the real estate needs of the greater Washington area for five generations and over 130 years.