15 W Bells Mill Rd

Philadelphia, PA 19118

$2,500,000
Last Sold Price
6
Beds
7,335 Sq. Ft.
$341 / Sq. Ft.
7,335
Sq. Ft.
$341
per Sq. Ft.
Get preapproved with Rocket Mortgage1
Closed 10/20/20Virtual Tour
Closed 10/20/20Virtual Tour

Description

One might argue that the classic early 20th-century homes of Philadelphia's leafy Chestnut Hill neighborhood are beautifully superior in design and livability than most any other type of home in the city. A tour of Cresswell Manor, a c. 1929 Tudor designed by architect John W. Keyes for Mrs. Charles Thompson Cresswell, is quite a convincing example. Placed majestically on a rise on just over 3.4 acres in Chestnut Hill, it is grand but not overwhelming, recently fine-tuned by London-based interior...One might argue that the classic early 20th-century homes of Philadelphia's leafy Chestnut Hill neighborhood are beautifully superior in design and livability than most any other type of home in the city. A tour of Cresswell Manor, a c. 1929 Tudor designed by architect John W. Keyes for Mrs. Charles Thompson Cresswell, is quite a convincing example. Placed majestically on a rise on just over 3.4 acres in Chestnut Hill, it is grand but not overwhelming, recently fine-tuned by London-based interior designer Mirta Aktaia Fava. The home's mix of well-preserved, classic elements overlaid with a transitional aesthetic, plus a long list of behind-the-scenes improvements, earned it a feature in Marie Claire last year. From the moment one passes through its gated entry and travels up the winding drive, it's clear these are no ordinary grounds. In fact, it's quite likely they were planned even before the house was constructed so that the residence would fit them and not the other way around. Mrs. Cresswell employed the highly regarded Philadelphia landscape architecture firm, Harrison, Mertz & Emlen, to handle this task. The gardens, terraces, stone walls, pond, pool and specimen trees and shrubs gracing the property have been refreshed and revived, including the impressive arc of stone retaining walls that greets visitors to the home. Inside, from its wide front-to-back reception foyer and through to its formal rooms, designer Fava focused on connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces while giving each interior space its own distinct atmosphere. The dining room, the expansive main living room with broad bay window, main suite bedroom and the garden room, now used as a study, are places where French doors open to terraces or balconies and natural light washes over these rooms, creating an uplifting atmosphere in all seasons. A butler's pantry and chef's kitchen provide generous storage and every amenity for the everyday cook or gourmand. The kitchen is open to a family room. Gas fireplaces warm the family room, living room and dining room; the study has a wood burning fireplace. An elevator and front and rear stairwells reach private quarters on the second floor. Each of four en suite guest bedrooms is large. Baths have been updated where needed with timeless, period-appropriate subway tile and marble floors. The main bedroom suite, almost a treehouse of sorts, is serene with two sets of French doors opening to a Juliette balcony and fantastic views of the grounds day and night. A 'pajama lounge' connects the family bedroom area to a two-bedroom guest suite with all new kitchen, new deck and a full bath. The guest suite has its own mechanicals for efficiency. A full attic tops off the house and provides plenty of storage, as do two garages offering parking for nine cars total. The grounds at Cresswell manor are designed for four-season enjoyment, but of course spring and summer are peak times to use its outdoor terraces for dining and entertaining. All terraces and flower beds have been rebuilt with new drainage; a 31-zone irrigation system is installed; and the pond has been rebuilt with new aerators. New pool equipment ensures this feature is ready for summer. Gracious and sophisticated, yet completely comfortable for everyday living, Cresswell Manor is a home where you likely will find yourself using, and enjoying, every room. Easy to move into and embrace a manor house lifestyle that is a short walk from Fairmount Park and Forbidden Drive and minutes from the train into Center City Philadelphia and the charming commercial district in Chestnut Hill proper.
  1. Listed by Melanie M Stecura • Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
    P: (917)-757-4309 stecura@kurfiss.com
  2. Listed by Linda Knox • Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
    P: (215)-901-6653 knox@kurfiss.com

Property Details for 15 West Bells Mill Road

Tax ID Number
092237700
Ownership
Fee Simple
Condo Coop Association
No
HOA
No
Structure Type
Detached
Style
Tudor, Manor
Levels/Stories
2
Waterfront
No
LISTING UPDATED: 08/19/2022 08:42 AM

Property Details for 15 West Bells Mill Road

StatusClosed
MLS #PAPH891592
Days on Market89
Taxes$24,967 / year
HOA Fees-
Condo/Co-op Fees-
Property TypeSingle Family
MLS TypeResidential / Fee Simple
Year Built1929
Lot Size3.43 AC / 149,417 SF
CountyPhiladelphia County
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Location

Listing Courtesy of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Sold By Coldwell Banker Realty

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Building Information for 15 West Bells Mill Road

Stories2Year Built1929Building Size-Lot Size3.43 AC / 149,417 SF

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$14,538 per month

30 year fixed, 6.36% Interest

Principal and Interest

$12,458

Property Taxes

$2,081

HOA Dues

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Property Information for 15 West Bells Mill Road

Location
Location
  • School District Name: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
  • School District County ID: 300200397108
  • SchoolDistrictSource: Listing Agent
  • County: PHILADELPHIA
  • MLS Area: 19118 (19118)
Waterfront / Water Access
Waterfront / Water Access
  • Water View: Yes
  • Water Access: No
  • Water Oriented: No
  • Navigable Water: No
  • Tidal Water: No
  • Riparian Rights Y/N: No
Association / Community Info
Association / Community Info
  • Senior Community: No
Taxes and Assessment
Taxes and Assessment
  • Tax Year: 2020
  • Tax Assessed Value: $1,783,600
  • Year Assessed: 2020
  • County Tax: $0
  • Improvement Assessed Value: $1,248,520
  • City Town Tax: $11,267
  • Land Assessed Value: $535,080
  • Clean Green Assessed: No
  • Land Use Code: D48
  • Zoning: RSD1
  • Tax Lot: 88
  • School Tax: $13,700
  • Automatically Update Tax Values Y/N: Yes
Lease Information
Lease Information
  • Concessions: No
Rooms
Main
  • # Bathrooms Count Main Level: 1
  • # Bathrooms Half Main Level: 1
All Upper Levels
  • # Bedrooms Count All Upper Levels: 6
  • # Bathrooms Count All Upper Levels: 6
  • # Bathrooms Full All Upper Levels: 6
Upper Level 1
  • # Bedrooms Count Upper Level: 6
  • # Bathrooms Count Upper Level: 6
  • # Bathrooms Full Upper Level: 6
Rooms
  • Stories: Main, Upper 1
Building Info
Building Info
  • Total Finished SQFT: 7,335.00
  • Total Finished SQFT Source: Estimated
  • Tax Total Finished SQFT: 6,820.00
  • Total SQFT: 8,045.00
  • Total SQFT Source: Estimated
  • Construction Materials: Stone
  • Roof: Slate
  • Ext Main Mid-res: http://bright-media02.prd.brightmls.com/bright/images/0000/3041/6999/2771/304169992771_512_384_WM_kqq8XiOR3WjFbVsh.jpg
  • Flooring Type: Hardwood
  • Basement Type: Full, Poured Concrete, Unfinished
  • Room and Floor: Bathrooms Half-Main Level-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-2, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-3, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-4, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-5, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-6, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-1, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-2, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-3, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-4, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-5, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-6
  • # Bathrooms Full: 6
  • # Bathrooms Half: 1
Lot / Land Information
Lot / Land Information
  • Lot Size Source: Assessor
  • Lot Size Dimensions: 297.63 x 195.70
  • Lot Features: Landscaping, Partly Wooded, Pond, Private
  • Parcel ID: 930785
Parking
Parking
  • Type Of Parking: Attached Garage, Detached Garage, Driveway
  • Num of Attached Garage Spaces: 2
  • Num of Detached Garage Spaces: 4
  • Driveway - # of Spaces: 8
  • Total Garage Spaces: 6
  • Parking Features: Fenced, Paved Driveway, Private
  • Garage Features: Built In, Oversized
Interior Features
Interior Features
  • Interior Features: 2nd Kitchen, Attic, Breakfast Area, Built-Ins, Butlers Pantry, Cedar Closet(s), Crown Moldings, Elevator, Family Room Off Kitchen, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Kitchen - Eat-In, Kitchen - Gourmet, Kitchen - Island, Primary Bath(s), Pantry, Wet/Dry Bar, Window Treatments, Wine Storage, Wood Floors
  • Fireplace: Yes
  • Fireplaces Count: 5
  • Fireplace Features: Gas/Propane, Wood
  • Accessibility Features: None
  • Laundry Type: Upper Floor
  • Virtual Tour URL Unbranded: https://vimeo.com/413672013
Exterior Features
Exterior Features
  • Exterior Features: Extensive Hardscape, Exterior Lighting, Outbuilding(s), Stone Retaining Walls, Underground Lawn Sprinkler, Hot Tub
  • Outdoor Living Structures: Balcony, Patio(s), Terrace
  • Pool: Yes - Personal
  • Personal Pool Features: In Ground, Pool/Spa Combo
  • Other Structures: Above Grade, Below Grade
Utilities
Utilities
  • Heating: Yes
  • Cooling Type: Central A/C
  • Cooling Fuel: Electric
  • Heating Type: Forced Air
  • Heating Fuel: Natural Gas
  • Hot Water: Natural Gas
  • Water Source: Public
  • Sewer Septic: Public Sewer
Confidential Data
Listing Office
  • List Agent AOR: Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS

Property History for 15 West Bells Mill Road

DateEvent & SourcePriceAppreciation
Oct 20, 2020

Closed

BRIGHT #PAPH891592

$2,500,000—
Oct 8, 2020

Closed (Public Record)

Public Record #681458497

$2,500,000

+4.7% / yr

Aug 3, 2020

Pending

BRIGHT #PAPH891592

—
DateEvent & SourcePrice
10/20/2020

Closed

BRIGHT #PAPH891592

$2,500,000
10/08/2020

Closed (Public Record)

Public Record #681458497

$2,500,000

+4.7% / yr

08/03/2020

Pending

BRIGHT #PAPH891592

—

For completeness, we often displays two records for one sale: the MLS record and the public record.

Public Records for 15 West Bells Mill Road

Taxable ValueLand-Additions-Total-
Tax Record2025$32,853 ($2,738 / month)
Home Facts
Beds6Total Finished SqFt6,821 SqFtAbove Grade Finished SqFt6,821 SqFtStories3Lot Size149,411 SqFtStyleSingle Family ResidenceYear Built1929ZoningRSD1CountyPHILADELPHIAAPN09-2-2377-00Fireplace TypeHas Fireplace

Schools near 15 West Bells Mill Road

This home is within The School District of Philadelphia.
Rating
School
Type
Grades
Distance
Jenks John S School
Public - K to 8
Roxborough High School
Public - 9 to 12
Widener Memorial School
Public - K to 12
Middle Years Alternative School
Public - 5 to 8
Rating
School
Distance
Jenks John S School
PublicK to 8

Roxborough High School
Public9 to 12

Widener Memorial School
PublicK to 12

Middle Years Alternative School
Public5 to 8

School ratings and boundaries are provided by GreatSchools.org and Pitney Bowes. This information should only be used as a reference. Proximity or boundaries shown here are not a guarantee of enrollment. Please reach out to schools directly to verify all information and enrollment eligibility.

Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill
Affluent families and commuting professionals. An upscale, historic neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill is a residential gem set amidst the natural beauty of the Wissahickon Valley, replete with cobblestone streets, Victorian houses and cozy shops.
Chestnut Hill Guide

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No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of any information, descriptions or measurements (including square footage measurements and property condition), such should be independently verified through appropriate means, including, but not limited to, in person inspection and public records, and Compass International Holdings, its subsidiaries, affiliates and independently owned and operated franchisees, and their affiliated agents and associated third parties expressly disclaim any liability in connection therewith. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Offers of compensation are subject to change at the seller's discretion. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Listing Courtesy of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Based on information from one of the following Multiple Listing Services: BRIGHT, Greater LeHigh Valley Regional MLS, Greator Scranton Board of REALTORS® and Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®. Information being provided is for the visitor’s personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties visitor may be interested in purchasing. The data contained herein is copyrighted by BRIGHT, Greater LeHigh Valley Regional MLS, Greator Scranton Board of REALTORS® and Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS® is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited. Property information referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the MLS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site. For the avoidance of doubt, the accuracy of all information, regardless of source, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals.