Exquisite Edwardian
329 South 46th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143

$597,500

Listing Agent: Nadia Adawi
[email protected]

Grand, historic twin (c. 1911) with a richness of original character on a beautiful tree-lined block in the Penn Alexander CATCHMENT. Lovingly updated by the owners over the past 20-years, this Edwardian home offers 6 bedrooms (including a 2nd floor master suite with dressing room and beautifully renovated bath), a family room with fireplace, 2 offices (or playrooms), and a formal dining room. Idyllic outdoor spaces--a serene and private rear deck and patio, peacefully landscaped (with automatic irrigation); as well as a covered front porch and front garden. High ceilings; big rooms; original hardwood floors throughout; spectacular, detailed woodwork; original pocket doors; gorgeous light fixtures; original leaded-glass windows. Excellent light. Superb floor plan. Renovated stainless steel and granite eat-in kitchen with large island and Wolf 6-burner range. Excellent storage throughout. Big, dry basement. A warm and wonderful home. An ideal size--so grand yet totally livable.

A beautiful home on a beautiful block--Walk to Clark Park and its Farmers Market, Coffee Market, Green Line Cafe, Local 44 and Bottle Shop, Pop Shop, Honest Tom's Tacos, Milk & Honey, Marigold Kitchen, Clarkville (coming Fall 2015), Baltimore Avenue's Restaurant Row and more. HUP, CHOP, Penn, Drexel, University of the Sciences. 10 minutes to Rittenhouse Square by car or bike and plenty of convenient SEPTA options. Tremendous opportunity in the Penn Alexander Catchment (Three years in a row, all Kindergarten registrants offered spots. For 2015-2016, no Lottery. All registrants have spots). Note: Home has high velocity central air on 1st floor, 2 unit split system for 2nd floor rear, and window units for remainder of home. High velocity system could be added to upper floors. Plentiful on-street PARKING.

About the house: This remarkable home was built at a time when the wealthy were moving from the city to the "suburbs" that were made newly accessible by streetcar. The land upon which the house sits was originally part of the Drexel family estate (the Drexels were a prominent Philadelphia family known, among other things, for founding Drexel University and the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, and for the philanthropist and social activist Sister Katherine Mary Drexel). On March 10, 1909, a portion of 46^th St north of Pine Street was deeded from Anthony J. Drexel, two of his sons, and his son-in-law to Herbert H. Downsbrough, a Philadelphia-based developer. An announcement in the March 24, 1909 edition of “The American Architect,” stated that “Herbert H. Downsbrough is preparing to build twelve four-story houses from plans by W. Frisbey Smith, on Forty-sixth above Pine Street. They will be of brick and will cost about $144,000. Owner is taking estimates from subcontractors.”

The first recorded deed of the house granted it to “Mary A. Hipple, widow, and Estelle Sharp, a single woman,” believed to be sisters, on May 25, 1911. The house was run as a boarding house for much of the mid- to late-20^th century. In 1997 we had the zoning changed from “boarding house” to “single-family” to protect this historic property. It’s been a joy to live here and to restore this glorious house, but we finally have to admit that we’re getting older and it’s time to downsize and let another family enjoy this splendor. But we’re not going far – our new house is only 5 blocks away!