On the Market: Classic Colonial in Mt. Airy
This handsome house for sale seems to channel the spirit of William Allen, the man who gave Mt. Airy its name.
326 W. Allens Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 | Bright MLS images via Luminous Realty
Mt. Airy takes its name from the summer residence William Allen, a chief justice of the colonial Pennsylvania Supreme Court, built for himself in 1750.
That house no longer stands, and its grounds now comprise the Lutheran Theological Seminary. But this house for sale, located three blocks down Allens Lane from Allen’s own, embodies all the qualities that led Allen to call his home “Mount Airy.”
Airy is precisely the right word to describe the interiors of this true classic center-hall Colonial. Built as an inn in 1898, it contains a collection of roomy, light-filled spaces for formal and informal living.
Entrance hall
You enter through a glass-enclosed vestibule into a very economical center hall. The space that might otherwise have gone to that hall instead gets allocated to the handsome formal living and dining rooms.
Living room
Dining room
Each of these rooms has an outdoor space accompanying it. From the dining room, French doors lead to a private courtyard; from the living room, they lead to the rear patio.
Kitchen
Breakfast area
The eat-in kitchen also offers access to that patio. Its breakfast area features a gas fireplace and built-in bookshelves.
Family room
All of the architectural elements and details of this house for sale remain faithful to its turn-of-the-century Colonial roots. Crown moldings, wainscoting, and elegant chandeliers strike the right notes. Yet you can also see that everything’s been updated to suit today’s tastes and lifestyle.
Patio
Pool
And it’s as airy on the outside as it is on the inside. In addition to the patio and courtyard, it has an expansive backyard with a large swimming pool.
It also puts you close to everything that makes life in Mt. Airy so pleasant. There’s an entrance to the Wissahickon Park across the street. Allen Lane Regional Rail station is a one-block walk away, towards Germantown Avenue and its shops and restaurants. You’re also close to the Weavers Way Co-op and Big Blue Marble bookstore.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 6
BATHS: 4 full, 1 half
SQUARE FEET: 5,805
SALE PRICE: $1,275,000
OTHER STUFF: A separate carriage house has a two-car garage, a bathroom and an unfinished apartment space upstairs. You can also see where the horses’ harnesses were once stored inside. The owner is a licensed Pennsylvania real estate agent.
326 W. Allens Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 [Brenda Beiser and Todd Hovanec | Luminous Realty via Zillow]
