On the Market: Renovated Barclay Condo on Rittenhouse Square
A total renovation has given this condo modern luxury while respecting its Jazz Age Classical Revival roots.
Jazz Age classical elegance meets modern comfort and amenities in this completely renovated condo in The Barclay at 237 S. 18th St. #9FG, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 | Bright MLS images via Allan Domb Real Estate
The apartment buildings and condominiums that ring Rittenhouse Square are some of the most prized residential properties in Philadelphia. People willingly pay premium prices for even modest units that overlook the square itself. And with buildings that run the gamut from turn-of-the-20th-century baroque elegance to 21st-century sleekness (to come), there are properties to satisfy any taste.
The premium you will pay for this Rittenhouse Square renovated condo for sale in The Barclay, however, isn’t as huge as it might otherwise be because it faces south rather than faces the square. It will appeal to two types of buyers: Those who love the simplified Classical Revival style of the Jazz Age — The Barclay dates to 1930 — and those looking for up-to-date residences loaded with modern features.
The only views of the square itself are found in this condo’s living room and second bedroom. But the south-facing windows in the two bedrooms and kitchen mean you get sunshine all day long, and the east-facing windows in the primary bedroom will wake you up with sunshine as well.
Foyer
The foyer sets the tone for the unit with its arched ceiling and crystal light fixtures. In the living room, the details get grander, with a medallion anchor for its elegant light fixture and a wall of built-in bookcases.
Bedroom/home office
The second bedroom currently serves as a den and home office. Mirrored French doors close it off from the living room, and it has an en-suite bath with a pedestal vanity and a shower lined in blue tile.
Kitchen
In between it and the primary bedroom suite on the condo’s opposite end is the kitchen. This eat-in kitchen is a purely modern work of art, with sleek wood cabinetry and a full complement of top-of-the-line appliances: Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, Gaggenau wall oven and range hood over the Miele gas cooktop, Viking dishwasher and GE Profile wine fridge. The in-unit Bosch washer and dryer lie in the passageway to the second bedroom, and a marble hall bath whose shower has a built-in seat lies off the passageway to the primary bedroom.
Primary bedroom
The spacious primary bedroom has architectural detail similar to that of the living room: ceiling medallion surrounding the chandelier, elegant crown molding, and French doors leading to both the kitchen passageway and the large primary bathroom.
Primary bathroom
Where the other bathrooms are more modern in their decor, the primary one channels the early-20th-century classical style of the building with its dual vanity and detailed tile shower. The walk-in primary-suite closet sits opposite the vanity.
One more modern element this condo contains: A built-in whole-house sound system. You also control its air conditioning and heating.
The building features a 24-hour door guard, concierge service, access to a chauffeured Mercedes and a fitness center. And since it’s located right on the square, some of the city’s best shopping and dining are just steps from its entrance. The Barclay itself contains one of those dining spots: Barclay Prime, the Stephen Starr steakhouse famed for its $130 cheesesteak.
Chances are, however, that if you live here, that will be pocket change.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 2
BATHS: 3
SQUARE FEET: 1,950
SALE PRICE: $1,350,000
OTHER STUFF: A $1,424 monthly condo fee covers maintenance and insurance of the building and common areas.
237 S. 18th St. #9FG, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 [Allan Domb | Allan Domb Real Estate]
