Barely half a mile south of Wayne lies this stunning six-bedroom home. Located deep in the heart of the Main Line, just a 10-minute walk from town, this stone-built manse offers nearly every conceivable amenity for the modern family.
Originally constructed in 1920, the property has been steadily upgraded over the past century to include an indoor pool, wine cellar, tennis court, large outdoor patio, surround-sound stereos throughout the house, a functioning bar and, the most recent addition, a thoroughly modern sunroom with a throwback stone design to match the rest of the property.
Since the building’s initial completion in 1920, it has had several owners, almost all of whom have been stewards of the house and have added their own unique imprint on its story. Perhaps most notable was the lawyer whose doctor told him he needed to swim for his health. After months of laboring to add a pool and an entire western wing to the property, the lawyer passed away just a week after its completion, leaving behind perhaps the most visually stunning aspect of the house.
Behind heavy wooden doors, a glass-enclosed pool room allows for ample natural light amid lush greenery. Palm fronds, both planted and painted on the walls, add a distinct tropical flair to the scenery. Bathed in sunlight beneath a high-mahogany beamed ceiling, there’s a certain tranquility and elegance one finds while floating in the water.
Beyond the pool room and the front-to-back corridor at the entrance of the house lies the formal dining room beneath a magnificent crystal Waterford chandelier. For most meals, however, homeowners will want to eat in the cozy breakfast room, replete with a fireplace and a smaller dining table connected to the kitchen.
West of the kitchen is the current owners’ major addition to the property. When they purchased the house in 1990, it remained unconnected to its six-car garage. Sick of getting rained on when hustling to and from their cars, they built a passageway from the kitchen to the two-story garage. Built from stone identical to the kind used in the rest of the house, the passageway, turned into a sunroom perfect for lounging, brims with natural light.
Today, the garage is completely integrated with the rest of the property. Soaring ceilings and cherry floorboards highlight a modern entertainment space with both stained glass and natural glass windows. A hand-carved bar, private office and full bathroom all add to the flawless architectural continuity above a garage large enough to fit six cars or even a limousine.
For three stories, the house continues upward from two staircases behind the dining room and kitchen. On the second floor, you’ll find the master bedroom with a massive walk-in closet and full en-suite bathroom with heated floors adjacent to three smaller bedrooms for guests and/or children. The third floor contains two additional bedrooms suites, each with a full bathroom.
Beyond the bounds of the house itself lie the luscious gardens. The grounds are replete with multiple walking paths and scenic terraces enclosed by stunning natural beauty. Perhaps most impressive of all are the championship-sized tennis court sitting on top of the 1.242-acre subdividable property.
For 35 years, this one-of-a-kind property in South Wayne has been off the market, but as of 2024, its owners are looking for a new chapter in both their own, and the house’s, history.
For more information on this property, please contact real estate agent Dana Hospodar at dana.hospodar@foxroach.com.
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