Just Listed: Alley Trinity in Fitler Square

Bella Vista has lots of these pedestrian lanes lined with trinities. This one, however, is in a place you wouldn’t expect it: Fitler Square. It’s off to the left in this photo, at 315-B S. Bonsall St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

I’ll bet you didn’t know that there were any trinities this far west in Center City. I sure didn’t.

Yet here it is: a too-cute Fitler Square alley trinity house for sale, a mere block from the Schuylkill River.

If the listing data is correct, the reason this house is located this far west is because someone either wanted to put a lot of houses on a small plot of land or decided to pay homage to Philly history and tradition. Or maybe both.

That’s because the listing data says this house was built in 1980.

Living room

One reason I suspect this isn’t an error: the spiral staircase leading from the main to the second floor is actually a floating staircase, and one does not find those in the city’s older trinities.

One reason I suspect it is: both the exposed brick wall and the beamed ceiling that give the main-floor living room its charm and character look too weathered to be a mere 40 years old.

But does it really matter how old this house is when it’s this cool?

And in such great shape?

Kitchen

This house is a straightforward trinity with no additions. A modern kitchen fills its basement, and a combination washer-dryer sits beneath the stairs.

Third-floor bedroom

Above the main floor, of course, are two bedrooms, one on each of the floors. The third-floor bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, and the second-floor one shares its floor with the house’s bathroom.

Second-floor bedrooms

But that second-floor bedroom also contains another feature that makes this trinity truly unique: its own balcony, which forms a porch over its front door.

Second-floor balcony

That means you have a nice private space where you can get extra fresh air.

Front door

And when you want to enjoy grass along with that fresh air, you can always hang out in the courtyard this house shares with its neighbors on its little alley.

Common courtyard

And when that plot of grass isn’t big enough for you, Fitler Square Park lies two blocks south of here. You’ll find even more greenery at Schuylkill River Park, two blocks southwest.

If you work in University City, you can’t beat its location: A short walk across the Walnut Street Bridge, just to your north, and you’re there.  Head east and you can partake of many restaurants, boutique shopping and neighborhood-serving businesses such as the South Square Market at the Grays Ferry Triangle.

So if you’re looking for that affordable Center City starter house in a great location, here it is.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 2

BATHS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 541

SALE PRICE: $315,000

222-B S. Bonsall St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 [Christie Jones | The Sivel Group | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]