527 S 55th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143

There’s classic West Philly charm, then there’s extra-special West Philly charm–and that’s what one lucky buyer will get here. On top of the leaded glass and almost all the original unpainted doors in place, there are design-forward custom upgrades inside and out. The University City Historical Society’s award-winning restored porchfront facade sits behind a garden with mature landscaping that provides year-round color and spring-to-fall blooms. The original millwork in incredible condition starts at the vestibule entry, where there’s a glass-paneled entry door and leaded glass interior door, wainscoting and original tile floor. The living room features a leaded glass window, original oak parquet flooring with walnut inlay, a turned staircase with curved banister, and an exquisite decorative fireplace and mantel. An extra-wide doorway is the airy segue to the large dining room, which has an oversized window, sweet under-stair closet and swinging door with leaded glass to the eat-in kitchen. While all the right things were left untouched in the main living space, all the right things have been updated here: recessed lighting, white flat-front cabinets and appliances set against beautiful handmade porcelain tile backsplash, and quartz countertops. The great layout with original pine floors includes a salvaged wood coffee station, a clever hidden pantry cabinet, and a U-shaped work area with salvaged wood breakfast bar that overlooks the dining area with a pair of windows and vintage pendant. Tucked in the rear is a super-stylish powder room with oversize black hex tile floor, sleek black wall-hung radiator with exposed copper piping, custom wood vanity with concrete top, casement window, and a custom triangular window in a corner. This window makes just as much of a design statement from the rear deck–which overlooks the good-sized yard with privacy fence–where it is set into a diagonal wood slatted wall. The second floor offers the same pristine original charm, including oak floors with walnut inlay, met with just-right updates where it matters–the hall bath has white hex tile floors and subway tile surround and a new linen closet. Either the front or back bedroom could be the primary. The front is an enormous space with a five-window bay, while the rear has original mirrored closets flanking a window overlooking the yard and connects to a middle bedroom that is currently used as a sun-filled dressing room. The other sunny middle bedroom is large enough for a full bed. This lovely, garden-lined Cobbs Creek block is convenient to Christy Rec Center, which has a pool and is currently undergoing major renovations and upgrades, Cobbs Creek Park for more greenspace, and Baltimore Ave shopping, dining and the trolley into Center City.