The Thursday Four: Party Like It’s 1799

Today, we’re checking out some turn-of-the-century properties… and no, I don’t mean those built in the 1990s. All the following homes were first constructed in the late 1700s – minus one that was built in 1810, like total outlier – at a time when things were markedly different in Philadelphia. No electricity, no cheesesteaks, no Starbucks, and Center City WAS the city. (Okay, so that last one may as well still be the case. Anyway.) Homes back then were built to last, and the fact that they are still looking this amazing in 2014 is evidence that the craftsmanship was solid. There’s a lot to love about old homes: the deliciously unique wooden floors, the ubiquitous fireplaces, the big kitchens, the adorable courtyards out back… the list goes on. All these listings are currently active, giving you the chance to get your hands on a bonafide piece of history.

1.) 133-35 Elfreth’s Aly. (Old City)
Built: 1799
3/3, 2,290 sqft
$850,000

Look at those amazing pantry doors! I love the use of original details to really round out the updated aspects.

Tall windows, lots of room, and abundant built-ins… in any century, this is a completely desirable home.

Proving that dormer bedrooms can be light, airy, and roomy – talk about an update that works!

Find another back garden/patio this impressive in all of Center City. Go ahead – I dare you!

The oldest continually inhabited street in America is a neat place to live, especially if you are a history buff. Add in the fact that this double-sized home is GORGEOUS (caps absolutely necessary!), and you have total win. Two outdoor decks, a finished basement with sauna and whirlpool tub, a freshly-renovated kitchen… the list of this place’s charms is breathless and extensive.

2.) 406 S 21st St. (Rittenhouse Square)
Built: 1800
2/2, 1,190 sqft
$795,000

No, this isn’t a magazine tear sheet – this home is just honestly, completely gorgeous.

That wallpaper! That molding! The fireplace! I love the extent to which thus living room sells the whole “colonial charm” thing to a “t.”

This is a grand staircase, a relic of a bygone era.

A big bedroom with a Juliet balcony set just over a cherry tree – does perfection get more perfect than this?

I don’t use this word lightly – it gets enough flogging in subpar listings, poor thing – but this home is sensational. Someone took one of the best little plots in Rittenhouse Square and built an absolute dream home, complete with plenty of space, high ceilings, and lashings of glorious natural light. The master bedroom is like something out of a storybook, complete with cherry blossoms blooming within reach of your courtyard-view balcony. Swoon.

3.) 104-6 Delancey St. (Society Hill)
Built: 1766
5/5, 5,100 sqft
$1,950,000

A grand piano for a grand room.

Your dreams will be sweeter in this vast master suite.

Another gorgeous fireplace!

That arched doorway to the back garden looks like something out of an enchanted story.

Tasteful, huge, and predating the Revolution, this home is nothing shy of resplendent. Every possible improvement has been made, including recessed lighting and 5-zone HVAC, skylights, marble, granite, and custom shelving. At the same time, high ceilings, tall windows, and pretty molding allude to the home’s historic character. There’s a vast master suite with sitting room, a partially-finished basement, and all sorts of surprises here. Plus, it’s located on Delancey within walking distance of just about everything.

4.) 308 S Philip St. (Old City)
Built: 1810
6/3, 2,000 sqft
$674,900

Stately brick reflects the impressiveness of what’s inside.

Those built-ins! That doorknob! Details like this are what make a house a really neat home.

You’ve got to love those ubiquitous walled gardens in older homes ’round these parts.

A gorgeous old fireplace puts one in mind of a time when the hearth was the heart of the home.

Okay, so this one is technically 10 years newer than the eighteenth century. I’d argue that this Colonial definitely runs in the same pack as the others, though, with its high ceilings, random-width hardwood flooring, and four fireplaces. With a newer roof and HVAC and fresh paint, this is as move-in-ready as it gets! You can’t beat the picture-perfect location on a cobblestone street, either. A winding staircase and quaint dormer bedroom are pure vintage, along with the adorable walled courtyard.