Hot House: 4622 Keswick Road, Baltimore, 21210
Unusual wood shingled church, circa 1894. 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, kitchen. 3,241 sq. ft. over one story, with large loft area and bell tower, with bell. Needs total rehab, sold as is: $250,000 (Currently under contract)
What: Picturesque historic church, decommissioned, owned by Tylden Streett, a well-known Baltimore sculptor. Mr. Streett, who taught at MICA for 53 years, lived until recently on one side of the church, using the other for his studio. A stone marker, still there, records that the church was built in 1894 as the Evergreen Methodist Protestant Church (a splinter sect later reunited with the United Methodist Church).
The photos pretty much tell the story here. Soaring ceilings, a huge skylight, hardwood floors. Ecclesiastical details mostly intact – gothic windows with a scattering of stained glass, bell tower, choir loft, alter rail and organ cabinet. The roof is fine, systems are basic, and living areas are rudimentary — comfort has been a low priority here. At a guess, it might need $75K to $100K of work. Lots of fun for the right people, though. And the estimated values of this house online are much higher than asking price. The average house price in Evergreen is $400K. This house is under contract, but things happen – keep checking.
Where: Keswick Road is a long street that runs from Wyndhurst Avenue in the north, down the side of Hampden to 25th Street at its south end. Number 4622 Keswick is in the Evergreen neighborhood, a few blocks north of Cold Spring Lane, near Video Americain and The Evergreen coffee house. Evergreen is both less expensive and older than Roland Park, and many of its homes were built for the craftsmen and builders who came to work there. Recently, it’s been discovered by young families, who can attend the top-ranked Roland Park public school, join the Roland Park Swim Club, walk the dog on Stony Run, and eat at Miss Shirley’s — all with great access to Johns Hopkins, downtown and I-83.
Why: Unique and charming property, unusually wide for an Evergreen house – enormous potential. Especially on Halloween.
Why Not: Current Baltimore zoning laws unfavorable to possibility of turning it into an ultra-hip-nightclub-in-decomissioned-church, a la Limelight in NYC.
Would Suit: Boy who dreamed of being a priest.
NB: There is hardly any real yard. A postage stamp-sized garden in back has just about room for a grill and a table.
Hot House is sponsored by Towson-based American Land Title Corporation, commercial and residential settlement agents.
