761 N 26th St

Within the northwestern reaches of the leafy Art Museum section of the city at the edge of Fairmount Park on a lovely, tree-lined street sits 761-765 N 26th Street. Unassuming from the street, you’ve walked by many times wondering what lies behind the Art Deco-inspired wall of cascading colorful flowers. What’s hiding behind that high wall and alluring double arched doors? You peek beyond the doors and realize that your months of viewing McMansions and homogenous box-like new construction homes are over. This is it. Here sits the unexpected blending of a 1877 blacksmith’s shop, a Frank Weiss-designed renovated stone barn with a glass atrium, and Victorian home full of stately splendor tucked within lush grounds that rival the most spectacular gardens.

The former blacksmith’s shop has been outfitted for the most modern-day use: a state-of-the-art two-car garage with polymer flooring, a new electrical system including garage doors controlled by an app, plenty of storage, and the ability to install a car lift for a third car (previous owners had one and you’re already thinking that the vintage Jaguar you’ve been dreaming of would fit quite nicely).

The barn and house have been combined to create the most exquisite 3,800 square feet of living quarters. The Art Deco connection was installed in the 1970s and adds visual interest to the structure and a merging of the two buildings. The towering barn structure can be seen through the glass atrium, its beautiful stone facade with flecks of mica in tones of gray and tan are a compliment to the modern glass. A cozy foyer of warm wood leading to the sunny two-story atrium with flagstone flooring and a custom Deco bar greet you as you step inside. Through French doors, you glimpse a formal dining room to your right and you imagine your first dinner party with friends. More on that later, you tell yourself as you attempt to quell your excitement.

You enter the formal living room, its stainless steel and antique brass hooded gas fireplace and cozy sunken seating area invite you to have a seat and relax and dream of cozy winter evenings in front of the fire. You admire the stone walls and the coffered ceilings, details that have been restored using the finest materials while respecting the architectural integrity of the home. The floating staircase with antique bronze handrail is an art piece on its own but the two-story Bocci chandelier imported from Vancouver is the icing on the cake. Custom double doors lead to the Chinese garden enclosed with cedar walls and timed antique lighting, the perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee.

Back to the dining room with its wall of windows overlooking the garden and seating for 12. You imagine it filled with the laughter of family and friends this holiday. Down a short hallway of exposed brick and skylights, you find the kitchen. Tidy and practical, the kitchen features flat panel European-style cabinetry with under-mount lighting, a Subzero refrigerator, and an island for food preparation and gathering. The original walnut staircase separates the kitchen from the Victorian sitting room/breakfast room with a decorative fireplace and built-in bookshelves, a room where you imagine enjoying a glass of wine and a good book in the evening.

A quick check to make sure the front door is locked (this house is already yours in your mind and you don’t need anyone else stopping by for a viewing), you head upstairs from the main living room to the primary bedroom and imagine retreating here at the end of a long day. A true sanctuary, featuring skylights, a wood plank ceiling, and a striking curved gas fireplace, you resist the urge to climb into bed (it’s not really yours yet, after all). Custom floor-to-ceiling closets line the wall and the open spa-like bathroom is truly magazine-worthy. Featuring a Kohler steam shower, Italian marble counters, a sunken soaking tub with custom German fixtures, illuminated sinks, glass-tiled floors, and a separate, private water closet fit for a king (or queen) with a Toto toilet/bidet with heated seat and a TV. A kitchenette with built-in Brew Café coffee maker, a Subzero refrigerator, and a Fisher and Paykel dishwasher gives staying in for the night a whole new meaning. A luxurious Swedish dry sauna rounds out the suite.

A balcony overlooking the spectacular grounds connects the barn and house on the second floor and leads to two additional bedrooms, one with built-in bookshelves and the other overlooking the dining room boasting a custom Murphy bed. A vintage bathroom with tub serves both guest rooms.

Now for the grounds. Pastoral and private, the courtyard is completely enclosed and beautifully manicured. Autumn’s golden leaves paint a warm pallet, and the perennial gardens are what dreams are made of. Flagstone patios offer space for entertaining and sculptures add visual interest.

You realize that Fairmount truly has the best of everything: the natural beauty of the park, homes spanning centuries of architectural styles, a vibrant and eclectic commercial corridor, and easy access to Center City. As an art lover and history buff, you enjoy being steps from the Ben Franklin Parkway, based upon the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris, where you have access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Rodin, The Barnes and the Franklin Institute. As a runner, you love the proximity to Kelly Drive, Boathouse Row, Lemon Hill and the banks of the Schuylkill River.

It really doesn’t get better than this. Game on. This is it.