Colonial

Here is an opportunity to live within the walls of history, surrounded by contemporary style, and embedded with 21st-century amenities. Come see this extraordinary Germantown property and experience the space, the charm, the character, and the serenity that you have longed for in a Philadelphia home. This 1857 home, originally built for John Wister, rests on an extraordinary 60 x 150' lot that allows for the home to be set well back from the street, a large rear bricked patio, a spacious side yard, a parking area for up to 4 cars, and all directly across from beautiful 8 acre Vernon Park. Enter this property through a lovely front porch, beyond the fanlight door surround, into an open entrance hall featuring an early 20th-century pendant light, clear finished oak floors that run throughout the living areas, and the original corner fireplace. To the right is a beautiful staircase backed by leaded glass windows. A cushioned window seat looks out onto the front porch. Through the entrance hall is a spacious living room highlighted by original window and door moldings. There are windows on both sides of the living room and also a door to the sunporch. Through a wide opening lies the dining room, beautifully lit by south-facing French doors that open to the sunroom. An elegant crown molding runs the perimeter of the dining room. The sun-drenched kitchen anchors the first floor. It has extensive cabinetry, up-market appliances, plenty of granite counter space, and a large island for meals and gatherings. The kitchen floors are original yellow pine painted in a historical pattern and the ceiling is tongue and groove pine. A beautiful archway opens to a back staircase to the 2nd floor. To the rear of the kitchen is a large mudroom with laundry, a large original utility sink, a half bathroom, and additional storage. Beyond the mudroom is the brick patio backed by a massive, well-maintained, white ash tree providing afternoon shade in the warmer months. The second floor features 3 bedrooms. The large primary bedroom is in the front of the house. It offers windows on two sides, double closets with beveled mirror doors, and plenty of space for a king bed as well as a seating area. The adjacent bathroom features a double vanity and a spacious, frameless glass shower. Next to the primary bath is a hall bath with an exceptional vitreous ceramic freestanding tub with shower surround, and a nickel and marble early 20th century style sink. The middle bedroom has two large south-facing windows and good closet space. The rear bedroom is quite large and features a 3 paneled, south-facing, bay window flanked by built-in bookshelves, and has a west-facing window that overlooks the patio. In the center of this floor is the skylighted staircase to the third floor which has 4 additional bedrooms, and a lovely hall bath with wallpaper and wainscoting. The basement is large, very dry, and perfectly suitable for storage. It also houses some extraordinary mechanical systems including geothermal cooling, a sophisticated hot water heating system, and a 200' deep natural well bringing filtered water into the kitchen, and natural water for all of your gardening and landscaping. Located just a couple of blocks from GFS and Greene Street Friends schools, there is more to be shared about this exceptional property than can be appropriately expressed here. If you are serious about starting the next phase of your life in an incredibly well-updated and wonderfully well-maintained historic home, reach out for an appointment today.