15 Charlcote Pl, Baltimore, MD 21218

A spectacular home designed by John Russell Pope, one of the leading architects in the first half of the 20th century. The only remaining residential home Pope designed in Maryland and the current owners have brought it up the 21st century for today's lifestyle. Pope also designed such landmarks as the Jefferson Memorial, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Baltimore Museum of Art. The home is completely surrounded by an ivy covered brick wall with wrought iron details. A coach house sits opposite the main entrance and the courtyard. This grand home has classical proportions and details with a symmetrical layout and elegant materials. The home is rectangular in shape sitting on an east-west axis. The traditional main level rooms, 13 feet in height, have Corinthian columns, filigreed ceilings and decorative moldings. The walls, ceilings and floor finishes are simply decorated with the most emphasis on the wall and ceiling junction and decoration featuring urns, garlands, scrolls, frets and consoles. The extreme spaciousness and formality were highly unusual in the early 20th century suburbs of Baltimore. The principal rooms are arranged around a T shaped entrance and cross hall paved with marble tile. 12-foot mahogany French doors open to each room. The library with wood-burning fireplace is all mahogany with hand inlaid details. The large living room with gas fireplace looks out over the property and directly south towards Charles Street. This is the front and main facade of the house with a wraparound terrace shaded by an awning in the summer. Mahogany pocket doors separate the living room from the dining room. The dining room has a gas fireplace and connects to the kitchen through glass French doors as well as through a hidden service door. The family room, originally the reception room, brings in the comforts of the 21st century, with a large flat screen television, wood burning fireplace and adjacent powder room. The fully paneled study with lighted cabinets flanking the gas fireplace faces the north courtyard. The east end of the entrance hall leads to the elevator, which services all levels of the home, the back stairs, mudroom, second powder room, butler’s pantry and kitchen area. Pocket shutters flank all windows throughout the first floor except in the breakfast room and kitchen where pocket iron grates pull out for added security on the large expanse of windows. The sun porch features a classic herringbone brick floor. The expansive primary suite with multiple walk-in closets and a luxurious bath with two vanities, soaking tub, water closet and steam shower is on the second level with three additional en-suite bedrooms, cedar closet, laundry room and original linen closet. The third level was converted from the staff quarters in 2006 into an award winning 2500 square foot family zone. Designed by Benjamin Ames, the new space contains an informal media lounge, art studio, playroom, office, additional powder room, gym and guest bedroom with en-suite bath. The third floor has access to the upper terrace. Ames incorporated a frosted glass skylight through the space to bring in natural light, and kept the long center corridor from the original design. Offering the best of both worlds, this property is a “smart home” accommodating those who appreciate historic architecture yet also enjoy modern conveniences. All of the home's electronics can be controlled from afar, including built-in speakers offering music throughout the home, newer furnace, water heaters, and more. The systems have been updated to allow for this state of the art technology. It is rare to find such a remarkable historic home as the Charlcote House that functions for today’s lifestyles.