Kensington home packs in the charm, asks $255K

Kensington is undoubtedly in the middle of a building boom, with townhouse developments transforming vacant lots and warehouse conversions bringing blighted properties back to life. Meanwhile, there are plenty of smaller, single-family homes getting big-time makeovers, too, like this 2-bedroom, 1-bath home on Braddock Street.

It’s now on the market for $255,000, but it last sold for $56,500 in 2008 so one can only imagine the state it was in then. Listing agent Warren Miller tells Curbed Philly that the current owner, an artist and fabricator, spent the past nine years working on the house, using salvaged materials whenever possible.

Today, the 1,080-square-foot home is quite charming, warm, and inviting, thanks to some custom details on the first floor. Let’s start with the foyer, or as the listing describes it, the “modified vestibule.” It’s separated from the living area by a repurposed industrial window with a built-in organizer for keys and mail.

The southern yellow pine floors are original to the home, adding to its warmth. And they continue with the new staircase, which is made of the same type of wood, just reclaimed.

The kitchen gives off some farmhouse vibes, with the shiplap bar with salvaged, cast-iron swinging stow-away stools. There’s also a farmhouse sink and butcher-block counters.

Upstairs, the two bedrooms are charming in their own right. Both have original exposed beams and brick, and the one full bathroom has been updated, too.

• 2624 Braddock Street [Coldwell Banker Preferred]

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