A Turn-of-the-(21st-)Century Colonial in Villanova for $2.2M
This huge home keeps the Colonial Revival faith beautifully and accurately. But it shows its contemporary roots where it counts.
1450 Lanes End, Villanova, Pa. 19085 | Bright MLS images via Coldwell Banker Preferred
Here’s a picture-postcard-perfect example of the iconic Main Line house type, the center-hall Colonial Revival mansion.
This home in Villanova’s estate territory even has a nice decorative element in the form of the weathervane atop its side wing.
It all looks so very 1900 (or 1920, or 1930) outside.
And it does a great 1800s impression once you step inside its front door. But the moment you step into its foyer, you should get the sense that there’s something not quite totally traditional about this home.
Living room
Is it the living room? Nope. True to the form, complete with wood burning fireplace.
Dining room
How about the dining room? Not that either. Gold-lame wallpaper, wainscoting, chandelier hanging from a medallion.
Staircase
You’ll find this home’s modern reveal at the back, to the right of the classic stair hall.
Family room and main living area
Kitchen
Breakfast room
This home has a large open-plan space designed to serve as the place you’ll live your everyday life. It combines a sunken family room with coffered ceiling and fireplace, a sunny breakfast room and a totally up-to-date kitchen.
Pool and patio
Then there’s the space outside, just behind this great living space. Here you’ll find a flagstone patio surrounding an in-ground pool. These weren’t terribly common in 1900, 1920 or 1930 either.
The home reverts to classic form in its upstairs bedrooms, though the master has a spa-style bathroom that also betrays modern roots. But by now the game is up: you realize that you have been had. You are about to buy a vintage 2000 home dressed up as a vintage 1900 one.
But you will do so willingly because this is proof that Pohlig Builders knows the language of the Main Line Colonial and builds well. You will also do so because your home’s own three-quarter-acre lot backs up against the 14.5-acre Harriton Farm open space preserve, thus giving you estate-level privacy. And you will also likely do so because it’s conveniently located a short drive from the heart of Villanova, where you can catch Regional Rail or the Norristown High-Speed Line into the city.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 6
BATHS: 5 full, 2 half
SQUARE FEET: 7,215
SALE PRICE: $2,200,000
OTHER STUFF: Another 21st-century feature is its finished basement, which is outfitted for use as a gym, a game room with wet bar, a media room with surround sound, and a maid’s quarters with laundry. The listing agent is related to the seller. This home’s sale price was reduced by $50,000 on Aug. 13.
1450 Lanes End, Villanova, Pa. 19085 [Melissa Leonard | Coldwell Banker Preferred]
