HOT HOUSE: 5 Club Road, Baltimore, 21210
Brick Federal Revival home in Flemish bond, circa 1900. Six bedrooms, five and a half baths, six fireplaces, two kitchens. 6,800 square feet on a half acre in Roland Park. Underground tunnel leads to garage: $949,500
What: A Cadillac of a house. Restrained in design, finely crafted and very comfortable. This is architect Noel Wyatt’s signature house, built for himself in 1900 as he was designing many of the grand houses of Roland Park, including Evergreen House and the original Baltimore Country Club. Dr. Henry Wilson, a Baltimore eye-doctor, lived and practiced in this house for over 50 years. With his wife, he raised seven children (and had seven weddings) here. Dr. Wilson bought the house from Mr. Wyatt himself, so the buyer will be just the third owner.
A fire in 1997 resulted in a major renovation, including a new roof, furnace, wiring, trim, floors and new windows on the first and second floor. The entrance hall sets the tone for the home, with a rare (and valuable) Roman style mosaic tile floor. There are deep coffered ceilings, crown moldings, medallions, handsome columns, bookcases — something around every corner.
All fireplaces work, realtor says, but all-but-one are capped. Upstairs are nice bedrooms with smallish windows, large-ish closets. Master bath needs to be redone, but there’s plenty of room. The kitchen is also not much, but again, plenty of room to work with, lots of potential, and there’s another downstairs, while the work is being done. Basement is roomy and dry, with lots of light. The tunnel is fantastic, leading from the first floor down through covered brick archways into the garage at the bottom of the hill.
Where: 5 Club Road sits on a small rise at the leafy corner of Club and Goodwood Gardens — a stone’s throw from the Baltimore County Club. Walking distance (along wide sidewalks) to the shops, schools and services of Roland Park. .2 miles to Petit Louis, .6 to Eddies. Driving south on Roland Avenue from Northern Parkway, Club Road is one street past Upland, on the right hand side.
Why: Tunnel to garage alone would do it, but this is a very unique property. Amazing craftsmanship. Structurally sound.
Why Not: Much of its beauty is on the inside. Exterior is dignified, rather than gorgeous.
Would Suit: Man whose home is his castle. Appreciator of architectural ingenuity and found objects — house has original cast iron wood-burning stove, fun house mirror and player piano that will stay.
NB: There’s no A/C, and the owner claims they “never needed it.” This is actually believable: On an 85 degree day the house was breezy and cool.
See full listing at Baltimore Fishbowl Real Estate
