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42 W Bells Mill Road

Philadelphia, PA 19118

7 beds
5 baths
5,175 sqft
~3 acre lot
$482 per sqft
1922 build

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.

Listing courtesy of BRIGHT / Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Last checked: Checking… • Last updated Oct 17, 2024 •

MLS# PAPH2400306 —

The Building

Year Built:

1922
Year Built Source:

Estimated
New Construction:

No
Construction Materials:

Stone
Structure Type:

Detached
Architectural Style:

Normandy
Architect Name:

George Howe
Levels:

4
Roof:

Slate
Main Entrance:

North
Accessibility Features:

None
Foundation Details:

Stone
Basement:

Yes
Basement Type:

Daylight, Partial, Connecting Stairway, Workshop
Total SqFt Source:

Assessor
Total Below Grade SqFt Source:

Assessor
Above Grade Finished Area Units:

Square Feet
Above Grade Finished SqFt:

5175
Above Grade Finished SqFt Source:

Assessor
Below Grade Finished Area Units:

Square Feet
Below Grade Unfinished Area Units:

Square Feet
Below Grade Finished SqFt Source:

Assessor
Below Grade Unfinished SqFt Source:

Assessor
Tax Total Finished SqFt:

5175

Interior

Interior Features:

Bathroom - Soaking Tub, Crown Moldings, Floor Plan - Traditional, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Kitchen - Island
Flooring Type:

Partially Carpeted, Stone, Wood
Fireplace:

Yes
Fireplaces:

2
Fireplace Features:

Gas/Propane
Living Area SqFt Source:

Assessor

Room Dimensions

Total SqFt:

5175
Living Area SqFt:

5,175 Sqft

Financial & Terms

Sale Type:

Standard
Possession:

61-90 Days CD

Location

Directions:

Germantown Avenue to Bells Mill Road
Latitude:

40.07960510
Longitude:

-75.22401428

The Property

Property Type:

Residential
Property Condition:

Excellent
Lot Size Units:

Square Feet
Lot Size Acres:

2.70
Lot Size Source:

Estimated
Lot Size Dimensions:

468.00 x 362.00
Lot Dimensions Source:

Assessor
Lot SqFt:

117,612 Sqft
Inclusions:

All concrete garden statuary and planters and bronze urn in lower garden.
Zoning:

RSD1
Outdoor Living Structures:

Balcony, Patio(s), Terrace
Other Structures:

Above Grade, Below Grade
Water View:

No
Waterfront:

No
Water Oriented:

No
Water Access:

No
Navigable Water:

No
Tidal Water:

No
Land Use Code:

C48
Ground Rent Exists:

No
Riparian Rights:

No

Listing Agent

Contact info:

Taxes

Tax ID Number:

092237300
Tax Year:

2024
Tax Lot:

63
Tax Annual Amount:

$32,265
Tax Assessed Value:

$2,305,000
Year Assessed:

2024
School Tax:

18068.0
City/Town Tax:

14196.00
Total Taxes Payment Frequency:

Annually

Beds

Bedrooms:

7
Upper Level Bedrooms:

7
Upper Level 1 Bedrooms:

4
Bedrooms Upper Level:

3

Baths

Total Baths:

5
Full Baths:

4
Half Baths:

1
Main Level Baths:

1.00
Main Level Half Baths:

1
Upper Level Full Baths:

4
Upper Level Total Baths:

4
Upper Level Total Baths:

3.00
Upper Level 2 Total Baths:

1.00
Upper Level Full Baths:

3
Upper Level 2 Full Baths:

1

Heating & Cooling

Cooling Type:

Central A/C
Central Air:

Yes
Cooling Fuel:

Natural Gas
Heating:

Yes
Heating Type:

90% Forced Air, Hot Water
Heating Fuel:

Natural Gas

Utilities

Sewer/Septic:

Public Sewer
Electric Service:

200+ Amp Service
Hot Water:

Natural Gas
Water Source:

Public

Appliances

Appliances:

Cooktop, Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Oven - Double, Refrigerator, Washer
Laundry Type:

Upper Floor

Schools

School District Name:

The School District Of Philadelphia
School District Source:

Listing Agent

The Community

Subdivision Name:

Chestnut Hill
Senior Community:

No
Exterior Features:

Exterior Lighting, Lawn Sprinkler
Pool:

No Pool
Association Recreation Fee:

No
HOA:

No
Condo/Coop Association:

No
Municipal Trash:

Yes

Parking

Total Garage and Parking Spaces:

9
Garage:

Yes
Garage Features:

Garage - Front Entry, Garage Door Opener
Garage Spaces:

2.00
Type of Parking:

Detached Garage, Driveway
# of Detached Garage Spaces:

2
Driveway - # of Spaces:

7

Extra Units

Vacation Rental:

No

Monthly cost estimate

Asking price

$2,495,000

Expense	Monthly cost
Mortgage	$13,359
Taxes	$2,688
Insurance	$686
Utilities	$543 See report
Total	$17,276/mo.^*
	^*This is an estimate

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Sale history

Date	Event	Source	Price	% Change
10/10/24 Oct 10, 2024	Listed / Active	BRIGHT	$2,495,000

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This house located in Germantown Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA 19118 is currently for sale for $2,495,000. 42 W Bells Mill Road is a 5,175 square foot house with 7 beds and 5 baths. 42 W Bells Mill Road is in the Germantown Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia and has a WalkScore® of 16, making it car-dependent. This house is in the attendance area of Roxborough High School and Jenks Academy For Arts And Sciences.

Listing Courtesy of: BRIGHT and Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty.

The information included in this listing is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The information on each listing is furnished by the owner and deemed reliable to the best of his/her knowledge, but should be verified by the purchaser. BRIGHT MLS and Estately assume no responsibility for typographical errors, misprints or misinformation. This property is offered without respect to any protected classes in accordance with the law. Some real estate firms do not participate in IDX and their listings do not appear on this website. Some properties listed with participating firms do not appear on this website at the request of the seller.