Three Whitfield Road, Baltimore.
Hot House: French Normandy-Style House in Roland Park-ish. 5 Beds/6 Baths. 5,494 Square Feet. Asking price: $1,899,000.
What: Although the listing says this house is on the Roland Park side of Guilford, I think it’s on the Guilford side of Roland Park, because of its 21210 zip code and it’s on the west side of Charles Street. Of course, I also think it’s more French Normandy-style than Tudor! It is also possible that it’s a Palmer & Lamdin house, as it has several of their signature details, including mixed materials (stucco, stone and brick), what were probably originally casement windows, and diamond-style chimneys.
As you approach the house, you will notice the details, including the mixed materials, a beautiful Juliet-style balcony with detailed stone corbels supporting it, and the house’s situation in a garden setting.
When you enter the house, the enfilade of doors takes you back into the garden. There is a convenient powder room on one side of the hallway, and a coat closet on the other. The wide hallway contains the broad staircase, and the entry to the living room with its fireplace, long windows, and French doors leading to a sun-room. There is also a den/library on the first floor.
On the other side of the living room is a beautiful dining room, with built-in sconces for lighting, and another fireplace. There is a built-in china cabinet to display your collections of china, silver, and crystal. Again, there are several sets of French doors leading to a bluestone terrace across the back of the house.
The kitchen, filled with high-end appliances, is bright with the light from numerous windows and the white marble countertops with an inset Belfast sink. Two islands provide space for working and entertaining while you’re cooking. An adjacent breakfast room with bench seating can be used for lounging or eating.
You can head upstairs via the back staircase or use the lovely main stairs with a window seat and windows overlooking the front gardens.
The primary bedroom with built in shelves and cabinets, has an adjacent dressing room and full bath with a slipper tub. One of the other bedrooms is currently used as an exercise room. The top floor has been given over to a large open space with peaked ceilings with the original beams.
The outside space features a gated driveway with a parking area and a garage. There is a large bluestone terrace with both sunny and shady sections, and access to both the kitchen and dining room. Extensive plantings watered by a built-in irrigation system fill the outdoor space.
Where: Whitfield Road is a one-way street, leading out to Charles Street, which greatly lessens any traffic. It is just south of Cold Spring Lane along Charles, close to Loyola University. It’s just a short walk to Linkwood Park.
Final Appraisal: This 1925 house is beautifully built with all of the details you’d expect from a house built in that golden age of building. The other houses along Whitfield Road are equally gorgeous. The listing for the house is here.
All photographs from the listing.
