Row Home, circa. late 1700s
Inside: three bedrooms, one full bath, one half bath, brick exterior, gas heat, central a/c, two working fireplaces, two decorative fireplaces, finished basement w/ laundry, private roof deck, period-appropriate kitchen, brick patio, stainless steel appliances, many original details
This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of American history! Built in the late 1700s, this home features many original details including wainscoting, wide-plank yellow pine wood flooring, 12 over 12 paned windows, spiral staircase, two wood burning fireplaces and more.
You enter the house into the living room, which has built-in cabinets with ample storage for modern audio visual needs. There are doors that close to retain historic charm when not watching TV. The back window looks into the passage way to the patio. The large windows and high ceilings make this a very welcoming and bright room. The living room fireplace features a beautiful tiled surround. From the living room you enter the first floor bedroom, which the owner is currently using as an office. This room has access to the private, brick patio with mature garden. Truly an urban oasis!
Walk up the historic spiral staircase and you have the master bedroom to your right and a large bathroom to the left. This spa-like retreat has a large claw-foot bathtub and a separate shower area and plenty of room for two to get ready in the morning.
The third, dormered floor, is quite cozy with built-in storage and closet space, custom fit to the dimensions of the pitched roof. French doors open to a private roof deck with easy access to the entire roof, which has a newer roof.
Back down the stairs, continue to the lower level and enter the dining room that can fit a standard table and has a wonderful side-bar built into a brick archway. Beyond the dining room is the kitchen which has full-size appliances, including a dishwasher. The cabinetry is period appropriate and nicely finished. Tucked away is a powder room and stacked laundry. There is an access door to the street located behind the laundry, and can be used if the laundry is moved, to allow for easy appliance installation if the need arises.
This home is located in Queen Village and has easy access to Philadelphia shopping, nightlife, attractions and public transportation. The neighborhood is well established and diverse.
We had a chance to ask the homeowner, Dennis Price, some questions about his house.
RowHouse: How long have you lived in your house?
Dennis: 3.5 years
RowHouse: What is one of your favorite memories in the house?
Dennis: The second Christmas in the home. My girlfriend (who was a new girlfriend at the time) spent hours intricately placing row after row of Christmas lights on the tree. I mean thorough. I had never seen anything like it. When she was done she went to clip the tag off of one of the lights and accidentally cut the cord. The whole tree went dark! We bought new lights and she sat there and repeated the whole venture. And I remember how the tree could be seen from the street and was so jolly all season. Great memory.
RowHouse: Queen Village is a very vibrant urban neighborhood. How has your experience been living in this area?
Dennis: Just great. Such a wealth of dining spots, coffee shops, bars, and parks. True neighborhood feel just off of South St.
RowHouse: Your house is very likely older than our country. What made you buy your historic home?
Dennis: I visited the Anne Frank house when I was kid and it always stuck with me. Then I saw this house and realized I could live in a house like Annie Frank’s!
RowHouse: You clearly have a lion’s share of original features. Is your home registered as historic?
Dennis: It is, I don’t have the plaque because of the DirectTV dish on the roof! Otherwise the historic commission is ready to put up the plaque.
RowHouse: Is there a story behind the red, claw foot bathtub? It is quite the statement piece!
Dennis: It’s the reason I bought the home. After I bought the home I dreamed that when I arrived the owner had taken the tub. I went to the palm shop (where for some reason it was) and fought for it back. It’s probably been used over 600 times in 3.5 years!
RowHouse: Over the living room fireplace, I notice a rather dashing colonial gentleman. Is he a previous resident?
Dennis: I don’t know, the photo that you saw that in was the previous owner’s photo. I have a sketch of an Armenian child who I befriended when I lived there above there now. She came as an exchange student this year and lived with my parents. So no, it’s not a dead guy! but fun story nonetheless.
RowHouse: Finally, what is your favorite feature of your home?
Dennis: The bath of course. I’ve also grown very fond of the kitchen over the last three years.
For more information about this beautiful house, please contact the realtor at john.s.duffy@duffyrealestate.com.
Photos: Provided by the homeowner.
Row House Living 