By Virginia C. McGuire
This carriage house in Chestnut Hill was the original gatehouse to the Krisheim Estate. Another piece of the estate has been sitting on the market for several months, and had a serious price cut ($220,000) back in September.
Realtor Rich McIlhenny, who writes nostalgic essays about growing up
in Northwest Philly for the Chestnut Hill Local, pretty much has the market cornered for historically significant homes in the area.
"It was built for George Woodward, the son-in-law of Henry Houston," McIlhenny said. "The two of them were responsible for developing much of west side of Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, and the building of some of the most beautiful homes in the city."
The house is built of Wissahickon Schist with cute Tudor-style woodwork on the outside. We think it could do with a more cheerful exterior, but it's in great shape and manages to be both roomy and cozy.
Favorite details are the hobbitesque solid wood front door with a rounded top, the first-floor laundry room/pantry with antique cabinets, and the angled ceilings upstairs that follow the shape of the roof. Also the big yard is pretty dreamy.
Size: 4 beds, 2 baths, 2,430 square feet
Features: Central air and original woodwork
Extras: .89 acre wooded lot
Price: $635,000
Listing: 7500 McCallum Street [Trulia]