On the Market: Traditional Condo in a Fitler Square Mansion

That chimney up on the left vents the fireplace of this bright and sunny condo on the top two floors of 251 S. 22nd St., Apt. H, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 | Bright MLS images via Keller Williams Philly

From river to river, Center City’s residential neighborhoods are filled with grand mansions and townhouses built for the well-to-do in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of them, and maybe even most of those not on Delancey Street, have been subdivided into apartments and condominiums, reflecting both the changing makeup of Center City’s population and changing household sizes. (For instance, far fewer people have live-in domestic help nowadays.)

This Fitler Square traditional condo for sale is located in one of the grandest of those mansions. Like the building at the northeast corner of 12th and Walnut streets that now houses a law firm, this house-turned-condo reflects the status and power the Episcopal Church enjoyed in the Gilded Age.

The Walnut Street structure was designed by Baily & Truscott and built in 1894 as the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania; this house was designed by local architect Theophilus Chandler and built in 1903 to serve as the residence of its bishop.

In 1980, the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation received a conservation easement on the house, which was then converted into ten condominium apartments sometime during the next five years. The conversion preserved many of the house’s original architectural details while adding some decidedly modern touches to the units.

You can see that combination of history and modernity at work in this bi-level condo on the house’s top two floors.

Living-dining room

The open main living area boasts all the details one would expect to find in a classic home: Crown moldings, a marble fireplace with carved wood mantel, deep-set windows with banquettes. As this condo is a corner unit at the house’s southwest corner, the main living space is filled with light year-round. This unit’s owners refreshed the main floor a few years ago, and it shows.

Kitchen

Especially in the kitchen, which could hardly be more modern, as the stainless-steel appliances, tile backsplash, and simple modern cabinetry should show.

Primary bedroom

The two upstairs bedrooms are plainer in appearance, as one might expect of rooms located under dormers and gables.

Primary bathroom

One of the two bedrooms, pictured above, has an en-suite bathroom with a decidedly ’80s appearance. The same can be said of the hall bath on this floor. The powder room downstairs got a more recent upgrade and a more traditional look.

But besides being well-maintained and attractive, this Fitler Square traditional condo for sale is also attractively located. Buy it and you will live about three blocks away from both Rittenhouse and Fitler squares, which means you have a choice of two farmers’ markets every Saturday: Farm to City’s Rittenhouse Square market or The Food Trust’s market in Fitler Square.

Building entrance and courtyard

You’re also just a few blocks from a supermarket and collection of eateries at the Grays Ferry Triangle at 23rd and South streets, and, of course, Rittenhouse Square and Rittenhouse Row are lousy with great shopping and dining options. And if the building’s lovely landscaped courtyard isn’t enough, you can go hang out in those two parks — or go sunbathing in Schuylkill River Park a few blocks further west.

How’s that for convenience? And it comes in a very attractive package.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 2

BATHS: 2 full, 1 half

SQUARE FEET: 1,671

SALE PRICE: $899,000

OTHER STUFF: The unit also comes with a deeded parking space. This condo’s sale price was reduced by $26,000 on May 19th.

251 S. 22nd St., Apt. H, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 [Noah Ostroff and Derek Fulforth | Philly Living Group | Keller Williams Philly]