On the Market: A Classic Loft in Old City for $495K
This totally 21st-century loft condo makes the most of its 1850s building, right down to its industrial-chic design.
109-11 Church St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 | Bright MLS images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors
There’s a reason they call it Old City.
For starters, it’s the place where Philadelphia began in 1682, after William Penn had taken care of affairs with the Lenape upriver in Shackamaxon (now Fishtown).
For another, it’s the city’s original industrial district, and many of its 19th-century industrial and commercial buildings survive to this day, just serving different purposes.
The row of 1850s structures in the 100 block of Church Street are prime examples of the transformations, and this bi-level loft condo goes beyond prime. It offers 21st-century features translated into a 19th-century industrial aesthetic. And isn’t that why you’re looking to live in Old City in the first place?
Living room
Just check out these photos. The unfinished ceilings and raw support beams give this space loads of character, and the iron-pipe railings and rolling iron-frame doors to the owner’s suite bathroom and closet hearken to its light industrial past.
Kitchen
Underneath those support beams, however, you will find a top-drawer kitchen with Caesarstone countertops and top-drawer appliances, including a “ridiculously quiet” Bosch dishwasher. (Having not heard one of these in action elsewhere until its drain cycle kicked in, we can attest to the veracity of that statement.)
Bedroom
And up top, looking out over the 20-foot-high main living space, is your honest-to-God loft bedroom.
Owner’s suite bathroom and closet doors
Owner’s suite bathroom
Behind one of its rolling doors is an ultra-modern bathroom with dual vanities, walk-in shower and freestanding tub surrounded by custom herringbone tile. Behind the other is a huge walk-in closet where you will also find the laundry facilities.
What’s more, this condo can grow with you: much of its upper floor remains unfinished and can be built out to provide more living space. You also get deeded storage space in the building’s basement.
Unfortunately, what you don’t get with this condo is rights to use the roof that you can access from it. But with all the rest this condo has to offer, including Old City nightlife and dining at your doorstep and easy access to the rest of Center City via SEPTA public transit, that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 1
BATHS: 1 full, 1 half
SQUARE FEET: 1,124
SALE PRICE: $495,000
OTHER STUFF: The seller is offering a 13-month home warranty along with an extended warranty on the unit’s new climate control system and water heater. The seller will also pay for a year of parking at 101 Market St. with an acceptable offer. The listing agent has an equity ownership stake in this home, whose sale price was reduced by $4,000 on July 5.
109-11 Church St. #7, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 [Alex Aberle | Elfant Wissahickon Realtors]
