31 West Bells Mill Road

Closed 4/8/24

Sold

Last Sold Price

$1,500,000

6 beds6 baths6,702 sqft$224/sqft

31 W Bells Mill Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Single FamilyProperty Type

5.14 acresLot Size

1918Year Built

$224/sq ftPrice per sq ft

3 carsParking Spaces

Description

Welcome to Sugar Loaf Orchard Estate, nestled in the unique and charming Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia comprised of two recently subdivided lots. The combined property of 29 & 31 W. Bells Mill Road , established in 1918, offers 4.8 acres, a manor house, carriage house, and the remains of both a large greenhouse and ice house, all tucked away in a private setting with access confirmed by a recorded Easement Agreement with Chestnut Hill College, a university offering private security. In its...Welcome to Sugar Loaf Orchard Estate, nestled in the unique and charming Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia comprised of two recently subdivided lots. The combined property of 29 & 31 W. Bells Mill Road , established in 1918, offers 4.8 acres, a manor house, carriage house, and the remains of both a large greenhouse and ice house, all tucked away in a private setting with access confirmed by a recorded Easement Agreement with Chestnut Hill College, a university offering private security. In its heyday, Sugar Loaf was one of the great Philadelphia estates with the grounds designed by Ellen Shipman (1869-1950), a prominent early 20th Century American landscape architect. The 6700 sqft Main house, designed by Philadelphia architecture firm Martin and Kirkpatrick, has a slate roof, 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, south facing living and dining rooms with fireplaces and bay windows, a side porch, library with fireplace, kitchen and lovely entryway. Upstairs you’ll find a primary suite with a sleeping porch, 3 more bedrooms with full baths, an au pair or in-law suite with an entrance off the second floor or from the kitchen, and a third floor bedroom, sitting room and bathroom, The carriage house has a 3-car garage and was once split into two apartments and could remain as such or be combined into one home. Mature trees and lush greenery adorn both lots, creating a serene and private atmosphere. The potential for beautifully landscaped gardens and outdoor living spaces is abundant. Whether you are a developer or an end user, all buildings and the grounds require a loving restoration and each has its own character and potential, offering versatility and endless possibilities. Additionally, 29 & 31 w. Bells Mill is in walking distance of Woodmere Art Museum, the Morris Arboretum, the trails of the Wissahickon Valley, Chestnut Hill ‘s main business district with its great shopping and dining, Septa trains, schools, the Pa Turnpike and the Blue Route/ 476. (The tax ids for each lot are: 31 W. Bells Mill - #: 092237814 and 29 W. Bells Mill - 092237812) The premises to be sold in "AS IS, where is, and with all faults condition.” Don't miss the chance to own a piece of this wonderful neighborhood. Contact us today to schedule a viewing and explore the endless potential of 29 & 31 W. Bells Mill Road.

Listed by: Ellen Hass 215.870.8484 ellen@kurfiss.com • Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
Listed by: NINA FURIA 202.494.5255 nina@kurfiss.com • Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Listing closed: 04/08/2024 12:00 AM • Source: BRIGHT, MLS#: PAPH2281676

Recent comparable sales

Median sold price

$1,695,000

Avg days on market

104

Sale-to-list ratio

91.7%

1/34

$1,750,000

Sold 02/27/25

6
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 7,700
Square Feet: 1.16
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9012 Crefeld Street, Philadelphia, PA 19118

1/47

$2,800,000

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6
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 6,560
Square Feet: 0.68
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104 West Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118

1/74

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5
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 6,515
Square Feet: 0.45
Acres

7700 Cherokee Street, Philadelphia, PA 19118

a front view of a house with swimming pool

1/23

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Sold 12/05/25

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Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 6,770
Square Feet: 0.44
Acres

109 West Moreland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

1/43

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Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5,413
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3 Norman Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118

1/47

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Bathrooms: 6,581
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8221 Seminole Street, Philadelphia, PA 19118

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Bedrooms: 3
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Listing Courtesy of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Sold By Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

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Principal and Interest

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Property Information for 31 West Bells Mill Road

Property Details

Taxes: $29,869 / year
MLS Type: Residential / Fee Simple
County: Philadelphia County
Tax ID Number: 092237814
Ownership: Fee Simple
Condo Coop Association: No
HOA: No
Structure Type: Detached
Style: Colonial
Levels/Stories: 2.5
Waterfront: No
Garage: Yes
Expected On Market Date: 10-06-2023
Subdivision: PHILADELPHIA (NORTHWEST)
Subdivision: PHILADELPHIA (NORTHWEST) (PHILADELPHIA PA)
Cross Street: Germantown
Municipality: PHILADELPHIA
Total Parking Spaces: 3
Central Air: No
Basement: Yes
Above Grade Finished SQFT: 6,702.00
Above Grade Fin SQFT Source: Estimated
Below Grade Finished SQFT: .00
Below Grade Fin SQFT Source: Estimated
Below Grade Unfinished SQFT: .00
Below Grade Unfin SQFT Source: Estimated
Total Below Grade SQFT: .00
Total Below Grade SQFT Source: Estimated
New Construction: No

Building Information

Year Built: 1918
Lot Size: 5.14 AC / 223,730 SF

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

Water View: No
Water Access: No

Water Oriented: No
Navigable Water: No
Tidal Water: No
Riparian Rights Y/N: No

Association / Community Info

Senior Community: No
Association Recreation Fee Y/N: No

Taxes and Assessment

Tax Year: 2023
Tax Assessed Value: $2,133,800

Year Assessed: 2023
Improvement Assessed Value: $587,040
City Town Tax: $13,441
Land Assessed Value: $1,546,760
Clean Green Assessed: No
Land Use Code: B48
Agricultural Tax Due: No
Zoning: RSD1
Tax Lot: 112
School Tax: $16,428
School Tax Payment Frequency: Annually
Automatically Update Tax Values Y/N: No

Lease Information

Concessions: No

Rooms

Main

# Bedrooms Count Main Level: 0
# Bathrooms Count Main Level: 1

# Bathrooms Full Main Level: 0
# Bathrooms Half Main Level: 1

All Upper Levels

# Bedrooms Count All Upper Levels: 6
# Bathrooms Count All Upper Levels: 5

# Bathrooms Full All Upper Levels: 5

Upper Level 1

# Bedrooms Count Upper Level: 4
# Bathrooms Count Upper Level: 3

# Bathrooms Full Upper Level: 3

Upper Level 2

# Bedrooms Count Upper Level: 2
# Bathrooms Count Upper Level: 2

# Bathrooms Full Upper Level: 2

Rooms

Stories: Main, Upper 1, Upper 2

Building Info

Total Finished SQFT: 6,702.00
Total Finished SQFT Source: Estimated

Total SQFT: 6,702.00
Total SQFT Source: Estimated
Main Entrance Orientation: West
Construction Materials: Stone
Roof: Slate
Ext Main Mid-res: http://bright-media01.prd.brightmls.com/bright/images/0000/8026/4353/9096/802643539096_512_384_WM_9MvE5mvLkM-_KZMu.jpg
Flooring Type: Wood, Solid Hardwood, Partially Carpeted
Basement Type: Full
Foundation Details: Stone
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, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-1, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-2, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-3, Bedrooms-Upper Level 2-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 2-2, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 2-1, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 2-2
# Bathrooms Full: 5
# Bathrooms Half: 1

Lot / Land Information

Lot Size Source: Estimated
Lot Features: Partly Wooded, Sloping

Parcel ID: 25223013

Parking

Type Of Parking: Detached Garage, Driveway
Num of Detached Garage Spaces: 3

Total Garage Spaces: 3
Garage Features: Other

Interior Features

Interior Features: Built-Ins, Butlers Pantry, Crown Moldings, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Kitchen - Eat-In, Pantry, Walk-in Closet(s), Wood Floors
Fireplace: Yes

Fireplaces Count: 5
Accessibility Features: None
Window Features: Bay/Bow, Double Hung
Laundry Type: Main Floor

Exterior Features

Exterior Features: Stone Retaining Walls
Pool: No Pool

Other Structures: Above Grade, Below Grade

Utilities

Utilities: Natural Gas Available, Electric Available
Heating: Yes

Cooling Type: None
Cooling Fuel: None
Heating Type: Hot Water
Heating Fuel: Natural Gas
Hot Water: Natural Gas
Water Source: Public
Sewer Septic: On Site Septic
Electric Service: 200+ Amp Service

Confidential Data

Listing Office

List Agent AOR: Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS

Property History for 31 West Bells Mill Road

Date	Event & Source	Price	Appreciation
Apr 8, 2024	Closed BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,500,000	—
Apr 3, 2024	Pending BRIGHT #PAPH2281676		—
Apr 2, 2024	Closed BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,500,000	—
Feb 4, 2024	Pending BRIGHT #PAPH2281676		—
Feb 4, 2024	Active Under Contract BRIGHT #PAPH2281676		—
Jan 16, 2024	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2281676		—
Dec 18, 2023	Active Under Contract BRIGHT #PAPH2281676		—
Oct 6, 2023	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,695,000	—
May 17, 2023	Expired BRIGHT #PAPH2106932		—
Feb 1, 2023	Price Change BRIGHT #PAPH2106932	$1,875,000	—
Apr 25, 2022	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2106932	$1,975,000	—
Aug 30, 2018	Expired BRIGHT #1004333991	$499,900	—
Dec 16, 2017	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #1004333991	$499,900	—
Nov 21, 2008	Expired BRIGHT #1006431232	$925,000	—
Aug 8, 2008	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #1006431232	$925,000	—

Date	Event & Source	Price
04/08/2024	Closed BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,500,000
04/03/2024	Pending BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	—
04/02/2024	Closed BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,500,000
02/04/2024	Pending BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	—
02/04/2024	Active Under Contract BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	—
01/16/2024	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	—
12/18/2023	Active Under Contract BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	—
10/06/2023	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2281676	$1,695,000
05/17/2023	Expired BRIGHT #PAPH2106932	—
02/01/2023	Price Change BRIGHT #PAPH2106932	$1,875,000
04/25/2022	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #PAPH2106932	$1,975,000
08/30/2018	Expired BRIGHT #1004333991	$499,900
12/16/2017	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #1004333991	$499,900
11/21/2008	Expired BRIGHT #1006431232	$925,000
08/08/2008	Listed (Active) BRIGHT #1006431232	$925,000

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

Public Records for 31 West Bells Mill Road

Taxable ValueLand$433,920Additions$1,012,480Total$1,446,400

Tax Record2021$20,246 ($1,687 / month)

Home Facts

Beds4Total Finished SqFt6,702 SqFtAbove Grade Finished SqFt6,702 SqFtStories3Lot Size223,730 SqFtStyleSingle Family ResidenceYear Built1925ZoningRSD1CountyPHILADELPHIAAPN092237810Fireplace TypeHas Fireplace

Schools near 31 West Bells Mill Road

This home is within The School District of Philadelphia.


Rating	School	Type	Grades	Distance
7/10	Jenks John S School	Public - Serves this home	K to 8	1.2 mi
1/10	Roxborough High School	Public - Serves this home	9 to 12	3.0 mi
NR	Widener Memorial School	Public - Choice school	K to 12	5.1 mi
5/10	Middle Years Alternative School	Public - Choice school	5 to 8	8.1 mi
6/10	Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush	Public - Nearby school	9 to 12	13.2 mi
5/10	Motivation High School	Public - Choice school	9 to 12	9.5 mi
NR	Our Mother of Consolation	Private - Nearby school	PK to 8	0.8 mi
NR	Norwood-Fontbonne Academy	Private - Nearby school	PK to 8	0.5 mi
NR	Our Mother of Consolation Catholic	Private - Nearby school	PK to 8	0.8 mi


Rating	School	Distance
7/10	Jenks John S School PublicK to 8 Serves this home	1.2 mi
1/10	Roxborough High School Public9 to 12 Serves this home	3.0 mi
NR	Widener Memorial School PublicK to 12 Choice school	5.1 mi
5/10	Middle Years Alternative School Public5 to 8 Choice school	8.1 mi
6/10	Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush Public9 to 12 Nearby school	13.2 mi
5/10	Motivation High School Public9 to 12 Choice school	9.5 mi
NR	Our Mother of Consolation PrivatePK to 8 Nearby school	0.8 mi
NR	Norwood-Fontbonne Academy PrivatePK to 8 Nearby school	0.5 mi
NR	Our Mother of Consolation Catholic PrivatePK to 8 Nearby school	0.8 mi

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

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.

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Nearby home values

Address	Sold price	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Lot (Sqft)
This home: 31 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$1,500,000	6	6	6,702	223,730
29 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	–	–	–	–	49,144
9220 Germantown Avenue, Unit 50, Philadelphia, PA 19118	–	–	–	32,597	1,314,365
32-42 West Bells Mill Road, Chestnut Hill, PA 19118	$725,000	7	5	–	87,120
15 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$2,500,000	6	7	7,335	149,417
42 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$2,600,000	7	5	5,535	108,900
30 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$1,875,000	5	5	6,318	102,687
11 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$2,000,000	7	7	5,706	140,263
22 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$2,250,000	4	6	3,990	20,475
26 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$1,200,000	5	5	5,916	156,178
20 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$550,000	4	3	3,254	20,584
99 West Hampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	–	3	1	1,160	21,890
95 West Hampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$2,650,000	4	5	4,250	20,473
18 West Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	–	–	–	–	5,307
17 West Hampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	–	–	1	2,904	26,704
35 West Hampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118	$647,000	6	4	3,400	16,082

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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.

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