Hot House: 26 Blythewood Road, Roland Park, Baltimore 21210
Cape Cod style house, circa 1951, brick exterior with Hardiplank siding and slate roof. Six bedrooms, 8 baths, 9,912 sq. ft. over three levels, with guest wing, two family rooms, gourmet kitchen, den, wine room, main floor luxury master bedroom, ensuite, with separate soaking tub, glass shower, walk-in closets. Finished lower level. Central a/c. Patios, fire pit, heated pool, pool house, on 1.84 acres: $3,295,000
What: From its humble origins as cheap and efficient shelter from New England storms, the Cape Cod-style home has earned an iconic place in American architecture. Like the little green houses in your Monopoly set, they are familiar, cozy, and plain. Not so on Blythedale Road, however, where this once basic, single-engine Cape Cod has been ramped up to a Ferrari-caliber home. Several additions have added both style and bulk, and they’ve done a fine job. Virtually everything that could be improved, has been improved here, from the Hardiplank siding on the outside to the 1,200 bottle, temperature-controlled wine room on the inside. Various additions, and a whole house redesign by the noted architect Peter Ratcliffe, have produced a smart and elegant layout. This includes a luxurious ground floor master, separate guest wing and childrens’ floor, along with mudrooms, offices and laundry rooms exactly where you would want them. French doors take you from a big, casual family room out to the pool. Add the Trish Hock-designed kitchen, the Bob Jones lighting and you have what is virtually a custom home. Foxborough Nursery did such an awesome job on the landscaping that total strangers have been known to stop and ask about it.
Where: Next door to a former Ravens cheerleader on Blythewood Road. And that’s all we’re saying about that.
Why: Comfort is the new luxury, and we’re happy to pay for it.
Why Not: For $3 million, we want more bling. Heck, Tyrconnell went for that much.
Would Suit: Bond trader, fixed income specialist….
NB: An ideal hangout house for kids. Besides the pool and patio with fire pit, there’s a backyard ball field with pitchers mound, and downstairs rec room.
