42 West Bells Mill Road

Philadelphia, PA 19118

$2,495,000
Price
7
Beds
4
Baths
1
1/2 Bath
5,175 Sq. Ft.
$482 / Sq. Ft.
5,175
Sq. Ft.
$482
per Sq. Ft.

Description

Welcome to “The Firs,” an iconic 1922 George Howe masterpiece on Bells Mill Road in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. This beautiful Norman manor sits on 2.7 acres abutting Fairmount Park and Wissahickon creek. Howe, a world-renowned architect and Chestnut Hill resident, studied at L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris and designed this house as a smaller, more functional replica of his own home “High Hollow” above it on Hampton Road. A cobblestone-paved courtyard removes you from the hustle and...Welcome to “The Firs,” an iconic 1922 George Howe masterpiece on Bells Mill Road in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. This beautiful Norman manor sits on 2.7 acres abutting Fairmount Park and Wissahickon creek. Howe, a world-renowned architect and Chestnut Hill resident, studied at L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris and designed this house as a smaller, more functional replica of his own home “High Hollow” above it on Hampton Road. A cobblestone-paved courtyard removes you from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The house revels in a light-filled southwestern exposure, and in addition to offering an incredibly functional floor plan, you’ll find a stable, a two-car garage with studio apartment, fabulous patio, rustic springhouse and gorgeous landscaping as far as the eye can see. On the first floor, you’ll find a lovely living room and dining room, each with floor to ceiling windows and gas fireplaces, a study, a wonderful kitchen with granite island, countertops and kitchen table and a kitchen garden and first floor powder room. Downstairs you’ll find a gym with sauna, a workbench and mudroom. The second floor boasts a primary bedroom suite with floor to ceiling windows and a stunning bathroom, along with three other bedrooms/studies and two full baths. The third floor offers three additional bedrooms and one full bath. Exquisite Yellin iron work on the staircase connects all the floors. The property is fenced for privacy with direct entry into Fairmount Park for access to trails and the Wissahickon. Come see for yourself, why inside and out, “The Firs” is a treasured Chestnut Hill gem.
  1. Listed by Ellen Hass • Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
    P: (215)-870-8484 ellen@kurfiss.com

Property Details for 42 West Bells Mill Road

Tax ID Number
092237300
Ownership
Fee Simple
Condo Coop Association
No
HOA
No
Structure Type
Detached
Style
Normandy
Levels/Stories
4
Waterfront
No
LISTING UPDATED: 10/17/2024 11:11 AM

Property Details for 42 West Bells Mill Road

StatusActive
MLS #PAPH2400306
Days on Market85
Taxes$32,265 / year
HOA Fees-
Condo/Co-op Fees-
Compass TypeSingle Family
MLS TypeResidential / Fee Simple
Year Built1922
Lot Size2.70 AC / 117,612 SF
CountyPhiladelphia County

Building Information for 42 West Bells Mill Road

Stories4Year Built1922Building Size-Lot Size2.70 AC / 117,612 SF

Property Information for 42 West Bells Mill Road

Location
Location
  • School District Name: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
  • School District County ID: 300200397108
  • SchoolDistrictSource: Listing Agent
  • County: PHILADELPHIA
  • MLS Area: 19118 (19118)
Waterfront / Water Access
Waterfront / Water Access
  • Water View: No
  • Water Access: No
  • Water Oriented: No
  • Navigable Water: No
  • Tidal Water: No
  • Riparian Rights Y/N: No
Association / Community Info
Association / Community Info
  • Property Manager Y/N: No
  • Senior Community: No
  • Association Recreation Fee Y/N: No
Taxes and Assessment
Taxes and Assessment
  • Tax Year: 2024
  • Tax Assessed Value: $2,305,000
  • Year Assessed: 2024
  • County Tax: $0
  • Improvement Assessed Value: $1,844,000
  • City Town Tax: $14,196
  • Land Assessed Value: $461,000
  • Clean Green Assessed: No
  • Municipal Trash: Yes
  • Land Use Code: C48
  • Zoning: RSD1
  • Tax Lot: 63
  • School Tax: $18,068
  • Automatically Update Tax Values Y/N: Yes
Rooms
Main
  • # Bedrooms Count Main Level: 0
  • # Bathrooms Count Main Level: 1
  • # Bathrooms Full Main Level: 0
  • # Bathrooms Half Main Level: 1
All Upper Levels
  • # Bedrooms Count All Upper Levels: 7
  • # Bathrooms Count All Upper Levels: 4
  • # Bathrooms Full All Upper Levels: 4
Upper Level 1
  • # Bedrooms Count Upper Level: 4
  • # Bathrooms Count Upper Level: 3
  • # Bathrooms Full Upper Level: 3
Upper Level 2
  • # Bedrooms Count Upper Level: 3
  • # Bathrooms Count Upper Level: 1
  • # Bathrooms Full Upper Level: 1
Rooms
  • Stories: Main, Upper 1, Upper 2
Building Info
Building Info
  • Total Finished SQFT: 5,175.00
  • Total Finished SQFT Source: Assessor
  • Tax Total Finished SQFT: 5,175.00
  • Total SQFT: 5,175.00
  • Total SQFT Source: Assessor
  • Main Entrance Orientation: North
  • Construction Materials: Stone
  • Roof: Slate
  • Flooring Type: Partially Carpeted, Stone, Wood
  • Basement Type: Daylight, Partial, Connecting Stairway, Workshop
  • Foundation Details: Stone
  • Room and Floor: Bathrooms Half-Main Level-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-2, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-3, Bedrooms-Upper Level 1-4, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-1, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-2, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 1-3, Bedrooms-Upper Level 2-1, Bedrooms-Upper Level 2-2, Bedrooms-Upper Level 2-3, Bathrooms Full-Upper Level 2-1
  • # Bathrooms Full: 4
  • # Bathrooms Half: 1
Lot / Land Information
Lot / Land Information
  • Lot Size Source: Estimated
  • Lot Size Dimensions: 468.00 x 362.00
  • Lot Dimensions Source: Assessor
  • Parcel ID: 930783
  • Ground Rent Exists: No
Parking
Parking
  • Type Of Parking: Detached Garage, Driveway
  • Num of Detached Garage Spaces: 2
  • Driveway - # of Spaces: 7
  • Total Garage Spaces: 2
  • Garage Features: Garage - Front Entry, Garage Door Opener
Interior Features
Interior Features
  • Interior Features: Bathroom - Soaking Tub, Crown Moldings, Floor Plan - Traditional, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Kitchen - Island
  • Fireplace: Yes
  • Fireplaces Count: 2
  • Fireplace Features: Gas/Propane
  • Appliances: Cooktop, Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Oven - Double, Refrigerator, Washer
  • Accessibility Features: None
  • Laundry Type: Upper Floor
Exterior Features
Exterior Features
  • Exterior Features: Exterior Lighting, Lawn Sprinkler
  • Outdoor Living Structures: Balcony, Patio(s), Terrace
  • Pool: No Pool
  • Other Structures: Above Grade, Below Grade
Utilities
Utilities
  • Heating: Yes
  • Cooling Type: Central A/C
  • Cooling Fuel: Natural Gas
  • Heating Type: 90% Forced Air, Hot Water
  • Heating Fuel: Natural Gas
  • Hot Water: Natural Gas
  • Water Source: Public
  • Sewer Septic: Public Sewer
  • Electric Service: 200+ Amp Service
Confidential Data
Listing Office
  • List Agent AOR: Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS

Property History for 42 West Bells Mill Road

DateEvent & SourcePriceAppreciation
DateEvent & SourcePrice

For completeness, Compass often displays two records for one sale: the MLS record and the public record.

Public Records for 42 West Bells Mill Road

Taxable ValueLand-Additions-Total-
Tax Record2024$33,850 ($2,821 / month)
Home Facts
Beds5Total Finished SqFt5,290 SqFtAbove Grade Finished SqFt5,290 SqFtStories3Lot Size108,900 SqFtStyleSingle Family ResidenceYear Built1919ZoningRSD1CountyPHILADELPHIAAPN09-2-2373-00Fireplace TypeHas Fireplace

Schools near 42 West Bells Mill Road

This home is within The School District of Philadelphia.
Rating
School
Type
Grades
Distance
Public - K to 8
Public - 9 to 12
Public - 9 to 12
Public - 9 to 12
Rating
School
Distance
Jenks John S School
PublicK to 8

Roxborough High School
Public9 to 12

Lankenau High School
Public9 to 12

Saul W B Agricultural School
Public9 to 12

School ratings and boundaries are provided by GreatSchools.org and Pitney Bowes. This information should only be used as a reference. Proximity or boundaries shown here are not a guarantee of enrollment. Please reach out to schools directly to verify all information and enrollment eligibility.

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42 West Bells Mill Road is a single family home for sale in Philadelphia, PA 19118. This property was listed for sale on October 10, 2024 by Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty, it's currently listed at $2,495,000. It has been on the market for a total of 85 days and was last sold on October 31, 2014. This listing's school district is The School District of Philadelphia. Nearby schools include Jenks John S School, Roxborough High School and Lankenau High School. 42 West Bells Mill Road is a 7-bed, 4.5-bath, 5,175 sqft single family home built in 1922.

No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of descriptions or measurements (including square footage measurements and property condition), such should be independently verified, and Compass expressly disclaims any liability in connection therewith. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Offers of compensation are subject to change at the discretion of the seller. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Listing Courtesy of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

Based on information from one of the following Multiple Listing Services: BRIGHT, Greator Scranton Board of REALTORS®. Information being provided is for the visitor’s personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties visitor may be interested in purchasing. The data contained herein is copyrighted by BRIGHT, Greator Scranton Board of REALTORS® is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited. Property information referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the MLS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site. For the avoidance of doubt, the accuracy of all information, regardless of source, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals.