42 W Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118-3602 $2,495,000

Beds/Baths: 7/4.1
Interior Sq. Ft: 5,175
Acreage: 2.7
Age:102 years
Style:
Normandy
MLS#: PAPH2400306
Subdivision: Chestnut Hill
Design/Type:
Detached

Description

Welcome to “The Firs,” an iconic 1922 George Howe masterpiece on Bells Mill Road in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. This beautiful Norman manor sits on 2.7 acres abutting Fairmount Park and Wissahickon creek. Howe, a world-renowned architect and Chestnut Hill resident, studied at L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris and designed this house as a smaller, more functional replica of his own home “High Hollow” above it on Hampton Road. A cobblestone-paved courtyard removes you from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The house revels in a light-filled southwestern exposure, and in addition to offering an incredibly functional floor plan, you’ll find a stable, a two-car garage with studio apartment, fabulous patio, rustic springhouse and gorgeous landscaping as far as the eye can see. On the first floor, you’ll find a lovely living room and dining room, each with floor to ceiling windows and gas fireplaces, a study, a wonderful kitchen with granite island, countertops and kitchen table and a kitchen garden and first floor powder room. Downstairs you’ll find a gym with sauna, a workbench and mudroom. The second floor boasts a primary bedroom suite with floor to ceiling windows and a stunning bathroom, along with three other bedrooms/studies and two full baths. The third floor offers three additional bedrooms and one full bath. Exquisite Yellin iron work on the staircase connects all the floors. The property is fenced for privacy with direct entry into Fairmount Park for access to trails and the Wissahickon. Come see for yourself, why inside and out, “The Firs” is a treasured Chestnut Hill gem.

Taxes: $32,265
Home Assoc: No
Condo Assoc: No
Garage: Y
Basement: Y
Pool: No Pool
School Dist: The School District Of Philadelphia

Features

Utilities
90% Forced Air, Hot Water Heating, Natural Gas, Central A/C, Natural Gas, Hot Water - Natural Gas, Public Water, Public Sewer, 200+ Amp Service, Upper Floor Laundry

Garage/Parking
Detached Garage, Driveway, Garage Door Opener, Garage - Front Entry, Detached Garage Spaces #: 2;

Interior
Crown Moldings, Floor Plan - Traditional, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Basement Connecting Stairway, Partial , Basement Workshop, Partially Carpeted Flooring, Stone Flooring, Wood Flooring, Gas/Propane Fireplace

Exterior
Stone Foundation, Slate Roof, Stone Exterior, Balcony, Patio(s), Terrace, Exterior Lighting, Lawn Sprinkler

Select a school from the following list. Schools are grouped by school type.
The schools on this list are selected by their proximity of up to 5 miles to the property address. Proximity does not guarantee enrollment eligibility. Please contact the school directly for more information on enrollment requirements.
* If there are more than 5 schools of any type within a close proximity, click on the button to see additional schools of that type near the search address.

Public Elementary (40 schools)

School District Grades Place Distance
Springfield Township Elementary School-Enfield Springfield Township School District K–2 Erdenheim 1.11 mi
John Story Jenks Academy for the Arts an Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 1.14 mi
Whitemarsh Elementary School Colonial School District K–3 Lafayette Hill 2.06 mi
Shawmont School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 2.09 mi
Houston Henry E School Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 2.1 mi
Springfield Township Elementary School-Erdenhm Springfield Township School District 3–5 Flourtown 2.23 mi
Green Woods Charter School Green Woods Charter School K–8 Philadelphia 2.55 mi
McCloskey John F School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 2.61 mi
Henry Charles W School Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 2.73 mi
Colonial Elementary School Colonial School District 4–5 Plymouth Meeting 2.74 mi
Franklin S Edmonds School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 2.85 mi
Emlen Eleanor C School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–5 Philadelphia 3 mi
Day Anna B School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.29 mi
Dobson James School Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 3.34 mi
Roosevelt Theodore Middle School Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 3.38 mi
Glenside Elementary School Cheltenham School District K–4 Glenside 3.4 mi
Lingelbach Anna L School Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 3.43 mi
West Oak Lane Charter School West Oak Lane Charter School K–8 Philadelphia 3.5 mi
Samuel Pennypacker School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.59 mi
Ridge Park Elementary School Colonial School District K–3 Conshohocken 3.72 mi
Wyncote Elementary School Cheltenham School District K–4 Wyncote 3.78 mi
Mastery Cs-Francis D. Pastorius Elementa Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary K–8 Philadelphia 3.96 mi
Belmont Hills Elementary School Lower Merion School District K–4 Bala Cynwyd 3.96 mi
Cook-Wissahickon School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 4.04 mi
Conshohocken Elementary School Colonial School District K–3 Conshohocken 4.19 mi
Rowen William School Philadelphia City School District K–5 Philadelphia 4.26 mi
Gladwyne School Lower Merion School District K–4 Gladwyne 4.29 mi
Mastery Charter School John Wister Elementary Mastery Charter School John Wister Elementary K–5 Philadelphia 4.39 mi
Plymouth Elementary School Colonial School District K–3 Plymouth Meeting 4.51 mi
Prince Hall Philadelphia City School District Preschool–5 Philadelphia 4.52 mi
Penn Valley School Lower Merion School District K–4 Narberth 4.54 mi
Pennell Joseph School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–5 Philadelphia 4.62 mi
Kelly John B School Philadelphia City School District K–5 Philadelphia 4.64 mi
Cynwyd School Lower Merion School District K–4 Bala Cynwyd 4.75 mi
Fitler Academics Plus Philadelphia City School District K–8 Philadelphia 4.78 mi
Ellwood School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–5 Philadelphia 4.83 mi
Shady Grove Elementary School Wissahickon School District K–5 Ambler 4.85 mi
Mifflin Thomas School Philadelphia City School District Preschool–8 Philadelphia 4.88 mi
Fort Washington Elementary School Upper Dublin School District K–5 Fort Washington 4.88 mi
Jenkintown Elementary School Jenkintown School District K–6 Jenkintown 4.92 mi

Public Middle (7 schools)

School District Grades Place Distance
Springfield Township Middle School Springfield Township School District 6–8 Oreland 2.3 mi
Amy NW Philadelphia City School District 6–8 Philadelphia 3.41 mi
Cedarbrook Middle School Cheltenham School District 7–8 Wyncote 3.53 mi
Welsh Valley Middle School Lower Merion School District 5–8 Narberth 3.86 mi
Sandy Run Middle School Upper Dublin School District 6–8 Dresher 4.39 mi
Wagner Gen Louis Middle School Philadelphia City School District 6–8 Philadelphia 4.48 mi
Bala-Cynwyd Middle School Lower Merion School District 5–8 Bala Cynwyd 4.67 mi

Public High (14 schools)

School District Grades Place Distance
Lankenau High School Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 1.92 mi
Saul W B Agricultural School Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 2.1 mi
Springfield Township High School Springfield Township School District 9–12 Erdenheim 2.14 mi
Hill Freedman World Academy Philadelphia City School District 6–12 Philadelphia 2.67 mi
Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School Colonial School District 9–12 Plymouth Meeting 2.79 mi
Roxborough High School Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 2.9 mi
Cheltenham High School Cheltenham School District 9–12 Wyncote 3.41 mi
Parkway Northwest Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 3.5 mi
King Martin Luther High School Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 3.68 mi
Mastery Cs-Pickett Campus Mastery CS-Pickett Campus 6–12 Philadelphia 4 mi
Building 21 Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 4.19 mi
Imhotep Institute Charter High School Imhotep Institute Charter High School 9–12 Philadelphia 4.22 mi
Central High School Philadelphia City School District 9–12 Philadelphia 4.88 mi
Jenkintown Middle/High School Jenkintown School District 7–12 Jenkintown 4.96 mi

Private (70 schools)

School Grades Place Distance
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 0.46 mi
The Crefeld School Nonsectarian 7–12 Philadelphia 0.58 mi
Our Mother Of Consolation Parish School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 0.73 mi
Our Mother Of Consolation Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 0.73 mi
Phil-Mont Christian Academy Presbyterian K–12 Erdenheim 0.95 mi
Evan Thomas Institute Nonsectarian 1–4 Wyndmoor 1.04 mi
Immaculate Heart Of Mary School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 1.19 mi
Mount St Joseph Academy Roman Catholic 9–12 Flourtown 1.25 mi
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy-Middle Nonsectarian Preschool–12 Philadelphia 1.44 mi
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Nonsectarian Preschool–12 Philadelphia 1.46 mi
Carson Valley Childrens Aid Nonsectarian 8–12 Flourtown 1.57 mi
St Genevieve School Roman Catholic K–8 Flourtown 1.6 mi
Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education Nonsectarian Preschool–K Philadelphia 1.78 mi
St Philip Neri Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Lafayette Hill 1.96 mi
La Salle College High School Roman Catholic 9–12 Wyndmoor 2.11 mi
Holy Cross Catholic School Roman Catholic K–8 Philadelphia 2.24 mi
Ivy Hill Christian Academy Seventh-Day Adventist K–4 Philadelphia 2.39 mi
The Miquon School Nonsectarian Preschool–6 Conshohocken 2.55 mi
Aim Academy Nonsectarian 1–12 Conshohocken 2.64 mi
Jesus Is The Way Christian Academy Christian (no specific denomination) K–7 Philadelphia 2.71 mi
Roxborough Christian School Presbyterian Preschool–6 Philadelphia 2.94 mi
Project Learn School Nonsectarian K–8 Philadelphia 3 mi
St Raymond Of Penafort School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.06 mi
St Raymond's Independence Mission Schools Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.1 mi
B.C.A. And Childcare Center Inc. Christian (no specific denomination) Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.15 mi
Martin Saints Classical High School Roman Catholic 9–12 Oreland 3.23 mi
Bethel Christian Academy Of Wyncote African Methodist Episcopal K Philadelphia 3.32 mi
Plymouth Meeting Friends School Friends Preschool–6 Plymouth Meeting 3.35 mi
Green Tree School Nonsectarian 1–12 Philadelphia 3.46 mi
Wordsworth Academy Nonsectarian 1–12 Fort Washington 3.55 mi
New Hope Christian Academy Baptist Preschool–12 Philadelphia 3.56 mi
New Medina Learning Institute Islamic K–12 Philadelphia 3.58 mi
Noreen Cook Center For Ece Of Har Zion Temple Jewish Preschool–K Penn Valley 3.62 mi
Ancillae-Assumpta Academy Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Wyncote 3.68 mi
Whitemarsh Montessori Childrens House Nonsectarian Preschool–K Blue Bell 3.7 mi
Cb Community Schools Nonsectarian Ungraded Philadelphia 3.72 mi
Wetherill School Nonsectarian Preschool–K Gladwyne 3.74 mi
Play & Learn Preschool Nonsectarian Preschool–K Fort Washington 3.75 mi
Bishop McDevitt High School Roman Catholic 9–12 Wyncote 3.76 mi
Y.A.L.E. School Of Philadelphia Nonsectarian 1–12 Philadelphia 3.77 mi
Lotus Academy Nonsectarian Preschool–4 Philadelphia 3.77 mi
The Waldorf School Of Philadelphia Nonsectarian Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.79 mi
Small World Discovery Center Nonsectarian K Philadelphia 3.8 mi
St Athanasius School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 3.9 mi
Excelsior School Philadelphia Nonsectarian K–5 3.92 mi
Chelten Christian Crusade Little People Day School Roman Catholic Preschool–K Philadelphia 3.92 mi
Germantown Academy Nonsectarian Preschool–12 Fort Washington 3.96 mi
Camelot Education Nonsectarian K–7 Philadelphia 4.05 mi
Anthony Wayne Academy Nonsectarian 6–12 Philadelphia 4.1 mi
Greene Street Friends School Friends Preschool–8 Philadelphia 4.13 mi
St Luke Catholic School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Glenside 4.14 mi
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf Nonsectarian Preschool–12 Philadelphia 4.18 mi
Adelaide Educational Center Christian (no specific denomination) Preschool–4 Philadelphia 4.23 mi
Germantown Friends School Friends Preschool–12 Philadelphia 4.25 mi
Martin Luther School Nonsectarian K–8 Plymouth Meeting 4.27 mi
Gfs Friends K–12 Philadelphia 4.29 mi
Early Learning Childrens Academy Nonsectarian Preschool–K Fort Washington 4.3 mi
The Gladwyne Montessori School Nonsectarian Preschool–6 Gladwyne 4.32 mi
Mt Airy Christian Day School Church of God in Christ Preschool–K Philadelphia 4.39 mi
William Penn Charter Mennonite Preschool–12 Philadelphia 4.41 mi
Westwood School Nonsectarian Preschool–5 Philadelphia 4.51 mi
Holy Rosary Regional Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Plymouth Meeting 4.55 mi
Accel Academy Nonsectarian 5–11 Melrose Park 4.72 mi
Hope Church School Christian (no specific denomination) Preschool–12 Philadelphia 4.74 mi
Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Glenside 4.76 mi
The Depaul Catholic School Roman Catholic Preschool–8 Philadelphia 4.85 mi
Wyncote Academy Nonsectarian 6–12 Melrose Park 4.86 mi
Perelman Jewish Day School-Foreman Center Jewish K–5 Melrose Park 4.87 mi
Mesivta Yesodei Yisroel Jewish 9–12 Elkins Park 4.91 mi
The Gateway School Nonsectarian Preschool–K Wynnewood 4.93 mi

© 2024 LiveBy. All Rights Reserved.

This report is a detailed community overview for Philadelphia (19118), Pennsylvania.

Community Quick Facts

  • Average travel time to work for people in this community: 35
  • Average salary of people in this community: $83,918

Community Summary

  • Population Density (ppl / mile): 3,362
  • Household Size (ppl): 2.16
  • Households w/ Children: 39%

Housing Inventory

  • Owned: 2,022 (42.9%)
  • Rented: 2,481 (52.6%)
  • Vacant: 215 (4.6%)
  • Total: 4,718

Population Demographics

The population of the community broken down by age group. The numbers at the top of each bar indicate the number of people in the age bracket below.

Total: 10,884
Households: 4,503
Median Age: 45.70

Climate and Weather

The Temperature chart displays average high and low values for January and July, and is designed to provide an indication of both seasonal and daily temperature variability. The Weather Risk Index indicates the calculated risk of each type of weather event occurring in the future. This risk is based on historical localized storm events and weather patterns. The national average for each type of weather event equals a score of 100, so a score of 200 would represent twice the risk as the national average, and a score of 50 would represent half the risk of the national average.

Temperature

Education

Highest Level of Education Attained

  • Less than 9th Grade: 1.0%
  • Some High School: 2.5%
  • High School Graduate: 11.4%
  • Some College: 13.9%
  • Associate Degree: 4.3%
  • Bachelor's Degree: 27.1%
  • Graduate Degree: 39.8%

Income by dollar range

Median Income: $89,422

Fair Market Rents

The Fair Market Rents show average gross rent estimates based on figures provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

  • Studio: $1,213
  • One Bedroom: $1,320
  • Two Bedroom: $1,620
  • Three Bedroom: $1,960
  • Four Bedroom: $2,365

© 2024 LiveBy. All Rights Reserved.

Contact Information

Listing Courtesy of: Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty , (215) 298-9415

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the BRIGHT Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate participates, and is provided by BRIGHT through a licensing agreement. The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
Copyright BRIGHT, All Rights Reserved
Listing data as of 12/30/2024.

42 W Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118-3602

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Broker Compensation

An offer of broker compensation or seller concession is not a guarantee. All compensation offers and concessions are negotiable and subject to written agreement between the parties. Please consult with your real estate agent for more information.