8813 Norwood Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Welcome to the Westleigh carriage house & caretaker’s cottage, constructed in 1860 for Richard Vaux, the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1856 to 1858 amongst many other notable appointments & careers. The privacy that surrounds the property is amazing with a gently sloping front lawn. A spring fed chase flows across the lawn and under a lovely stone bridge. The property is enhanced with an EV charging station at the entry with parking for at least 5 cars plus a circular drive. Originally, there were two separate buildings. The carriage house & stable is a charming 2-story masonry building. The caretaker’s cottage is a detailed 2-story brick and cedar lap siding building. In 2009, the two structures were connected by an atrium that provides direct access from the front driveway. Entire walls of windows face both the front & rear yards with a wood floor that wraps around to the kitchen with an exposed stone wall. The floor plan of the building provides so many options for various private & public gatherings. So many enhancements have been completed just within the last 12 months! On the ground floor there are remnants of 3 straight stalls along the dining room wall. The stall windows retain their metal guards that kept the horses from breaking the glass. The kitchen was completely updated in 2023. The central island has a beautiful hardwood counter while the cabinets along the exterior walls have granite counters. The tiles selected for the backsplash are designed to resemble a tin ceiling! The entire appliance package is from the GE Café line in white, with a 6-burner, double oven range, dishwasher and French door refrigerator. The microwave is tucked into the large pantry closet. There is a powder room tucked off the kitchen & front entry door. The living room occupies the space where the carriage used to be stored. A full width glass door provides access to the side covered porch. The original carriage doors remain as yet another architectural element of the building’s past. A wood burning fireplace anchors the room flanked by built-in shelves & cabinets. The 2nd floor was completely renovated in 2023. The primary suite overlooks the rear yard (with 2 doors to a lovely small balcony) with 2 walk-in closets. The primary bath has an oversized glass enclosed shower, a free-standing tub, tiled flooring with radiant heating and an oversized vanity. The laundry room was moved to the 2nd floor. The 2nd bedroom on this floor has a wall of closets & its own ensuite bathroom with a tub/shower combination & storage closet. Enter the caretaker’s cottage, there is so much more to discover. The family room has a glass door that provides access to the 2nd floor. Beyond the family room is the 3rd bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with a stall shower. A walk-in closet has a window overlooking the side yard. The 2nd floor of the caretaker’s cottage provides multiple options for use. It is a legal one-bedroom apartment that has its own access directly from the rear yard or from within the house itself. A fully equipped kitchen & living area with a wall of built-in cabinets and bookshelves occupies half of the space, while the 4th bedroom & the 4th ensuite bath has its own stackable washer & dryer. Off the rear of the caretaker’s cottage is a full-width storage shed where a repurposed cabinet & a large workbench will remain with the property. A gently sloping rear yard with mature trees along the border is extremely private. A bank of daffodils provides a beautiful canvas in the early spring. Along the side of the carriage house, there is a pent roof & large patio that provides a shaded respite for outdoor entertaining and a formal perennial garden with pea gravel pathways. Come discover the Westleigh carriage house & caretaker's cottage, you too will be entranced by the privacy & personality of this truly unique residence.