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Grace Kelly’s Philly home to reopen to public in 2018

According to her son, Prince Albert

By Melissa Romero
A stately brick colonial with the flags of Monaco hanging out front.
Grace Kelly’s childhood home at 3901 Henry Avenue in East Falls will open to the public in 2018.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Grace Kelly’s childhood home in East Falls will reopen to the public in 2018 or earlier, according to her son and the home’s new owner, Prince Albert of Monaco.

The prince told People magazine earlier this week that public events will be an integral part of the home’s refitting. But, he said, it will not function solely as a museum because he wants to respect the mostly residential neighborhood.

The home at 3901 Henry Avenue will serve as regional offices for the Prince Grace Foundation, as well as an exchange program with the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco.

The news comes just months after the prince confirmed that he had bought Kelly’s childhood home in October 2016 for $755,000 (though he had some stiff competition from other potential buyers). The elegant home, which Kelly’s father built in 1935, originally listed in June for $1 million, as Curbed Philly first reported.

Prince Albert visited the home soon after purchasing it for an inspection. He told People, “I hadn’t seen the house in a good many summers and some of it is in relatively good shape. The previous owner hadn’t touched some parts in 40 years. Other parts need great work.”

The 6,000-square-foot property had undergone some neglect under a previous owner, who had been living in “unsanitary” conditions for years. It was found infested with cats in 2013.

While there’s no set opening date, the prince said, “To give ourselves enough room, I’m saying a year but it could be less than that. To give you an answer, 2018, possibly earlier.”

Below are the home’s original listing photos.