On the Market: Renovated Shingle Style House in Germantown

461 E. Locust Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144 | Photos: PLUSH Images via The Adams Group, Compass

By now, you should be aware of this little pocket of East Germantown that’s home to a population of affluent residents who own these huge, lovely old houses that they have poured money, heart and soul into.

If you haven’t copped wise to this area from the houses for sale I’ve featured here, maybe you heard about it on WHYY.

Most of the people who call this bosky pocket home fly under the radar, though one doesn’t. You have to turn off the main streets and travel a block or two or three inward to find these houses.

Living room

Living room

Those of you looking for one of those places where you can live in comfort and grand style yet fly under the radar now have another opportunity. Feast your eyes on this beautifully renovated Shingle Style house for sale on East Locust Avenue.

Dining room

As these photos should make clear, its owners have given it a total refresh that respects and enhances its turn-of-the-20th-century ambiance and style. New and reclaimed vintage light fixtures, colorful paint schemes and attractive decor make every one of this restored house’s rooms pop. The crown moldings, wainscoting, three fireplaces and sparkling hardwood floors are all original.

Kitchen

Some of the renovations, however, have added a touch of 21st-century comfort and style as well. The most notable are the kitchen, which boasts a Viking professional-quality range and hood and deep cabinets with soft-close doors…

Master bedroom

Master suite dressing room

Master bathroom

…and the master suite on the second floor, which features a full dressing room and a spa bath with rain shower and handheld wand.

Hall bathroom

The second-floor hall bath, on the other hand, has all of its vintage charm and its clawfoot tub preserved.

But enough about the inside. This house has three great outdoor spaces as well, starting with the welcoming wraparound front porch.

Deck

Off the breakfast room on the back of the main floor is a large deck…

Backyard

…that overlooks the totally tricked-out backyard one level down. There’s a space here for every mood: a sitting deck beneath the trees, a conversation space in the middle and a fenced playground with a trampoline in the back.

This may well be the best-outfitted half acre I’ve run across in quite a while. It’s certainly the best I’ve seen at this price point. For not only does this house look like a million bucks, but it also costs much less than that.

And it’s close to both the La Salle campus and central Germantown, and excellent transit and Regional Rail connections to the rest of the city lie a short walk away. So does the neighborhood supermarket: Buy this house and you might run into me there or at Uncle Bobbie’s.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 5

BATHS: 3 full, 1 half

SQUARE FEET: 3,540

SALE PRICE: $469,000

OTHER STUFF: In addition to central air conditioning, this house for sale also comes with a deeded detached garage located around the corner on Magnolia Street.

461 E. Locust Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144 [Keith Adams | The Adams Group | Compass]