On the Market: Rehabbed Twin in Mt. Airy
They kept it simple when they updated this classic Philly twin for the way we live now. But they did toss in a few goodies.
119 W. Gorgas Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 | Bright MLS images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors
What we have here is a handsome example of something you see all over the city: an early-20th-century traditional twin or rowhouse that has gotten a makeover.
Main floor
And when you walk through its front door, the scene should also be a familiar one: an open-plan main floor done over in a neutral light grey.
So far, so good. But as they say, it’s the little things that mean a lot, and the people who rehabbed this house for sale three years ago did several little things that add up to make this a little better than many of these garden-variety rehabs.
One thing they did was preserve several of this house’s original features, including its hardwood floors and the banisters on the staircases leading to the two upper floors.
Living room
Another thing they did was preserve a vestibule inside the front door, giving you a place to park your muddy shoes when you come in on a rainy day. They did, however, open up that vestibule so that you see the whole of the main floor when you walk in.
Dining room
The other little things they did on the main floor and upstairs reshaped this house for modern demands.
Kitchen
They did set the kitchen off from the living and dining rooms by means of a short wall divider, and they added an island to it, giving it both bar seating and room for a breakfast table for two. The kitchen is nicely outfitted and includes a wine fridge, a feature not usually seen at this price point.
In the back mud room, they also added a convenient powder room.
Master bedroom
Master bathroom
Upstairs, they fashioned a master suite out of the back bedroom on the second floor, giving it a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a full tile shower and linen storage.
Second-floor front bedroom
The front bedroom’s bay window lets in lots of light. It could also be used as a home office or gym, as here. In between the two bedrooms are a laundry room and hall bath. On the top floor you’ll find two more bedrooms and a linen closet.
This house for sale also has an unfinished basement with full-height ceiling. And it’s very conveniently located: you’re just a little more than a block away from the Lovett Memorial Library and an Acme supermarket, and roughly midway between Carpenter and Allen Lane Regional Rail stations, both within walking distance.
A slightly longer walk uphill on Germantown Avenue takes you to Mt. Airy’s eclectic business district, and a less strenuous walk in the other direction takes you to the Malelani Cafe and other neighborhood shops.
THE FINE PRINT
BEDS: 4
BATHS: 2 full, 1 half
SQUARE FEET: 2,208
SALE PRICE: $399,000
119 W. Gorgas Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 [Cora Kathleen “Kathy” Krebs | Elfant Wissahickon Realtors]
