Hot House: 12 Club Road, Roland Park, Baltimore 21210
Colonial style stucco house with slate roof, circa 1907 (possibly 1900). Corner wrap-around porches with views, large bluestone patio, 6/7 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 5,557 sq. ft. over three stories. Original carved exterior and interior moldings, hardwood floors, multiple built-ins, window seats, fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, wet bar, mudroom, new double-paned windows. Central air, unfinished basement, detached garage on rear lane: $1,195,000
What: A penciled note, found hidden in a wall here, says that the first owner of this house was a Caton. It goes on to apologize for some changes made to the original architecture, and wishes the new owners all the joy the writer himself found here. They did find the joy, although they had to tear down a few more walls to get there.
This house, like many big Roland Park homes, was once divided into apartments. In the process of being put back together, about 10 years ago, it was beautifully and expensively modernized. There’s a big, cozy family room with fireplace. The adjoining wet bar/butler’s pantry has it’s own Sub-Zero and wine fridge. The mudroom is a thing of beauty. The kitchen is white, with oak floors, tons of storage, Sub-Zero (again) and Thermador appliances, plus a skylight that lights up the room. There’s a a den, an exercise room and a powder room on the main floor. And, original to the house, an enormous wall safe (in an undisclosed location) made by the Hull Safe Company of Cincinnati, Ohio — still in use, with a sturdy combination lock. Upstairs, many good size bedrooms and four full baths, all modern, all with big glass showers, some with whirlpool. The second floor has a separate wing that houses the roomy master bedroom and its sleek bathroom. Down the hall is a nice “mom’s office”cum dressing room. A third floor bedroom has floor-to-ceiling built-ins for clothes or toys. There’s a sunny laundry room up here too, and the long, carpeted playroom has several built in beds – “it’s the sleepover room.”
Where: Sitting high off the street, facing west, overlooking the lovely old in-town Baltimore Country Club and the steep sledding hill beyond. There’s a nice breeze on the porch, a stand of tall tulip poplars, views of the sunset, and lots of fun to be had watching guests at the club argue (and make up) as they come and go from weddings. Club Road is a long street that runs from Roland Avenue north to Deepdene Road. It becomes a one-way street in front of the club, and visitors might need to be reminded of that. On the other hand, it’s a pretty quiet little road. Johnny’s and Petit Louis are just up the street, also the Bank of America and St. David’s Church. Schools and Eddie’s are a long walk or short ride.
