Hot House: Some Updates and a Classic House in Guilford with a Stunning Paneled Library. 7 Beds/5 Baths. 6,430 Square Feet. Asking price: $1.3 million.
Updates: Three spaces I’ve written about in the past few months have had significant price adjustments.
- The church on Keswick Road has had a $105k price drop, reflecting a more realistic price.
- The charming Palmer & Lamdin stone house on Paddington is back on the market since October, and the new price has dropped by $44,000.
- The three-bed, three-bath apartment at Washington Place has had a $96,000 decrease in its price.
Because interest rates continue to be several percentage points higher than in the past decade, people are reluctant to give up their original low rates and are just staying put. The housing stock has slowed in the past year, although there are still plenty of people looking.
What: Because they were built later than Roland Park, both Homeland and Guilford list the specific architects who designed each house, while Roland Park lists them as being designed by the Roland Park Company. All of that is to say that this gorgeous house in Guilford was designed by the noted architect Lawrence Hall Fowler, whose houses hold an air of gravitas, as well as a classic beauty. He designed 15 houses in Guilford.
As you enter the house, you are greeted first by a classic black and white checkered marble floor and then by the original hardwood floors, a sweeping staircase and a huge pier mirror. The living room/library and dining room lie to either side.
The stunner in this house is the incredible wood-paneled library. The paneling is English walnut, circa 1830. The stunning fireplace, one of seven in the house, is a marvel of English carving skills. It is of Jacobean, Carolinean, and Tutor [sic] design. Clearly, the house was designed around this paneling. The room is warmed by a series of floor-to-ceiling windows/French doors. At the last appraisal (2011), the room itself was valued at $150,000.
But in all honesty, there is no replacement value for it, as the craftsman and footage of walnut wood no longer exist.
The kitchen has been updated with new cabinets, appliances and beautiful quartz countertops. It’s perfect for someone who likes to cook and entertain. Thankfully, the original butler’s pantry remains pretty much intact. A large sunroom brings the light into the house, and opens onto a spacious slate patio.
The owner’s bedroom has a functioning fireplace and en suite bathroom. The additional bedrooms are all of an expansive size, and the bathrooms have retained their original charm, with thoughtful updates.
The landscaping on the property reflects the manicured elegance of the surrounding neighborhood. There is a small garage tucked into the back of the property, as well.
Where: The house is located on the small part of Charles Street just after its split into St. Paul Street, a very quiet section of the road. It’s within walking distance of Calvert School and Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus. The shops and services along St. Paul Street are just a few blocks away.
Final Appraisal: This house reflects the grace and elegance of turn-of-the-century Baltimore and the work of architect, Lawrence Hall Fowler. It has beautiful details which have stood the test of time, while having the conveniences of today’s life-styles. The listing for the house is here.
All photographs from the listing.
