Jaw Dropper of the Week: Society Hill Home With Legit Ties to Independence Hall

All photos by Barri Riley via BHHS Fox & Roach/Mary On The Square

If you don’t immediately recognize the name Thomas Nevel, you will certainly know him by his work. A master carpenter, builder and architect by trade, his fascinating career started with an apprenticeship under Edmund Wooley, which saw him work on America’s most historic building–Independence Hall. From there, some of his work also includes Carpenter’s Hall, a grand staircase at the (for sale) Shippen House and the Mount Pleasant mansion in Fairmount Park, his masterpiece.

His personal home at 338 South 4th Street is just as imaginative and splendid. Newly listed at $2.05 million, Nevel built the home in 1771 and later started Philadelphia’s first school of architectural drawing under its roof. Fast forward nearly 250 years later and the home has undergone an impeccable renovation that lets its unique character shine while providing high-end modern amenities.

On the first floor, the multiple wood burning fireplaces and wide plank pine floors works in concert with the steely-gray modern kitchen designed by Ahn & Robinson, which boasts hammered black granite countertops, built-in Sub Zero refrigerator, double wall over by Electrolux and even a built-in wine cooler by Viking. The fact that it overlooks–and accesses–the gigantic courtyard (with built-in fire pit) is yet another glorious plus.

The deep living/dining room is a wonderful open space complete with curved walls, two wood burning fireplaces, wainscoting and ceilings that soar. We love the patch of wall paper that sets the dining room apart and are especially fond of the millwork seen around the windows.

Ahn & Robinson also designed the master bedroom, and man does it show–two walk-in closets, solid Ipe vanity and a large master “wet room” with shower and bath. And don’t worry about having to take the steps to get up to the extra bedrooms and roof deck on the third floor, there’s a passenger elevator in this bad boy. We’d venture a guess that it wasn’t included in Nevel’s original plans.

So, if this Presidents Day weekend you’re on the lookout for a home that has legit ties to our nations’ most historic building, you might want to swing by the open house this Sunday.

THE FINE PRINT:
Beds: 4
Baths: 3.2
Square-feet: 4,000+
Price: $2.05 million
Additional Info: Four HVAC zones, finished basement, three separate storage areas
Open House: Sunday, February 15–12pm to 2pm

• 338 S. 4th Street Philadelphia, PA, 19106 [BHHS Fox & Roach-1818 Rittenhouse/Mary On The Square]