Perched along one of Philadelphia’s most coveted streets near Rittenhouse Square, a circa-1863 manor that looks frozen in time from the exterior has been beautifully reimagined. The special abode, owned by a local interior designer, is now up for sale asking $8.4 million.
In the era this 7,500-square-foot home was built, Philadelphia was emerging as one of the county’s most bustling cities full of industrialization and high-profile families. Needless to say, high society social events and grand mansions were all the rage for the elite there. This corner row house, constructed just before the Gilded Age kicked off, could have easily hosted the finest parties. And today, it is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, adding another layer of architectural and historic allure.
A rich brick facade gives way to revitalized spaces from collaborative, multi-year renovation by Philadelphia-based STUDIO EDO and renowned NYC-based designer Steven Gambrel. The principal and founder of STUDIO EDO, Eduardo Ardiles, is actually the homeowner and now the seller.
Meticulously curated details flow seamlessly across the graceful floor plan, breathing in a new air of elegance while also keeping the home’s Old World roots intact. The ceilings soar nearly 14 feet high while large windows bring in light through three exposures, so to say the home has good bones is an understatement.
Custom finishes flow throughout and nods to its industrial-era past, with a vitrine-style butler’s pantry (serving Downton Abbey vibes) and a stunning chef’s kitchen with a La Cornue range anchoring the lowest level. After all, the kitchen didn’t use to be the heart of the home, but where servants worked behind the scenes.
The upper two floors hold the home’s grander living areas and four bedrooms, including a full-floor primary suite. Almost everything one needs can be found in the decadent retreat, which includes a home office and library, spa-like ensuite, and a Savile Row-inspired walk-in closet.
Other global influences, such as a charcoal grill from Argentina, also appear throughout the quintessential American home but its sense of place is never forgotten. The library holds vintage maps of Philadelphia, all hung behind glass. An additional three bedrooms and ensuites sit on the upper level.
Aspirational back in its heyday and in a whole new way now, the exceptional Delancey Street home is listed with Lavinia Smerconish of Compass.
