Today, I'll be sharing a brief history lesson on another wealthy landowner in Wyncote, and how my listing came to be designed and constructed in the late 19th Century. Brigadier General Ario Pardee Jr. joined the PA 28th Infantry in 1861. He served in the Union Army with distinction, participating in famous battles including Antietam, Battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg and then West & South, including the Atlanta campaign under General Sherman and finally, the Carolinas campaign. He was discharged in 1865. He was the Son of the founder of Hazelton, PA who founded an anthracite coal mine. The family continued to own & manage the mines all through the Civil War and well into the 20th Century. General Pardee Jr. upon returning to Philadelphia after the war did not desire to return to the mines, and established his estate in Wyncote in the 1890's. My listing is one of only 2 remaining structures of that time. This carriage house was likely for the staff, and is a solid Wissahickon schist structure with stately & understated elegance. Elevated from the road, you approach the property via the drive to the 3-car garage that is located in the lowest level. There is direct access from the garage to the kitchen, or you can walk around to the flagstone stairs to the front door. The majority of the rear & side yards have been fenced in for your four-legged family members. A sunny & level grassy area provides for the perfect entertaining area just off the front & kitchen doors. There are two patios and ample space for your Summer BBQ needs. One enters into the central hallway via a delightful entry door with the original elliptical fanlight. The living room occupies the entire Western section of the 1st floor with a central wood-burning fireplace and bookcases flanking the large double-width Southern windows. There is a set of French doors to the outside. A single step down provides additional ceiling height in the remainder of the 1st floor, with the dining room overlooking the fenced side yard. The kitchen has its own access to the yard, new quartz counters, stainless steel appliances & a small area for a cafe table for two. There is the staircase down to the garage referenced earlier. Finally, a huge family room (currently set-up as a home office and/or home schooling room with a built-in desk) has a closet. There is a full bathroom that connects this room back to the entry hall. A large closet is tucked under the staircase. The master suite is amazing, with vaulted ceilings & exposed stone walls. Along the South wall, there are ample casement windows, a dressing/sitting area before entering into the area with the walk-in closet & en-suite bathroom. The most unique wet room is larger than most bathrooms and includes a huge double shower and whirpool tub. The 2nd bedroom on this floor also has vaulted ceilings, exposed rafters with two closets and direct access to the 2nd full bathroom (that is also accessed from the hall). The final bedroom has exposed stone walls and a pull down staircase to the attic storage area. The house is conveniently located less than a mile from the Wyncote/Jenkintown SEPTA station with fanstastic service to all the universities & hospitals, downtown Philadelphia and even the airport! One can also reach the PA Turnpike in less than 10 minutes for commuting East or West. This is not your cookie-cutter suburban home! Come discover this unique neighborhood with an eclectic mix of architecture from the 1890's to the 1950's (including some very unique mid-century modern houses). 2020-08-07
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Zillow. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
