Just Listed: Hidden Castle in Queen Village
From the street, this spectacular designer house for sale looks like a 19th-century meeting house. From the back and the inside, it looks like nothing else you've ever seen.
781 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors
You may remember an old saying that’s fallen out of use in our gender-neutral age:
“A man’s home is his castle.”
This truly unique and original house for sale in Queen Village is interior designer Anna Powers’ castle.
And in true Old Philadelphia fashion, this house hides its awesomeness from public view.
Exterior rear
Passing it on Two Street, you won’t notice anything special about the roughly 150-year-old meeting house behind the wrought-iron fence.
But open the gate, enter the yard, and head around back, and the first hints of the spectacular space contained within appear on the outside.
Powers expanded and reconfigured this meeting house five years ago, transforming it into a true one-of-a-kind dwelling.
She did so by taking advantage of the building’s courtyard lot and huge interior volume.
That volume allowed her to create a soaring living room with a skylit atrium that rises the full height of the structure. (You might want to take note of the artwork hanging on the living-room wall. This house’s design produces many large walls suitable for hanging works of art.)
Family room
On one side of the living room is a cozier family room, lit by the huge two-story window that also pours light into the master bedroom above.
Kitchen
On the other lies a striking eat-in kitchen with high-end appliances, including a wine fridge.
Dining room
The main floor also contains a formal dining room with an unusual seating alcove. You’ll find this room among the featured spaces on the website of Powers’ firm, Busybee Design.
Master bedroom
Stairs lead up from the family room to the second-floor bedrooms. In addition to the light from that two-story window and a high reclaimed-wood-beamed ceiling, the master bedroom contains a spa bath that once again is like no other I’ve ever seen.
Master bathroom
Stylish and opulent in a contemporary way, it features a sunken walk-in shower, a soaking tub, custom vanities and French doors (not shown above) that lead out onto the second-floor atrium balcony.
Second-floor deck
That outdoor atrium created by the extension is another unique feature of this house for sale. You can access its main deck from the dining room and the kitchen on the main floor; the second-floor balcony off the master bathroom overlooks it as well. You can reach the sunken garden from the finished basement.
And while this house comes with gated parking for one car, its location close to South Street, Fabric Row and the Delaware riverfront means you will likely keep that car cooped up most of the time.
So if you’re looking to become the queen (or king) of your own castle, you have two options: Hire Powers to give your own home a fabulous makeover. Or buy hers — she’s already done all the work for you.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 2
BATHS: 2
SQUARE FEET: 2,200
SALE PRICE: $799,900
781 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 [Kathleen Conway | The Conway Team | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]
