On The Market: A hideaway home with a secret oasis in Queen Village
The three-bedroom, 2,475-square-foot-home is set apart by a distinctive feature out back: a semi-in-ground pool and hot tub surrounded by a deck with a swim-up bar.
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Not many people know about the 800 block of South Swanson Street.
"You don't know about that street unless you're lost or you know about a shortcut to Columbus Boulevard," said Dana Tenuto.
When she and her husband Anthony were on the market for a new home in 2009, she spent some time driving around the neighborhood to look for a quiet street.
"There were two homes that weren't on the market yet," she said.
She contacted a realtor who was a friend of hers, and she and Anthony bought the property and moved into the completed home in November.
The three-bedroom, 2,475-square-foot-home was subsequently decorated by Dana, who practices interior design in her spare time.
"I love interior design and I do love the art behind it," Tenuto said. "I like creating more of a sanctuary."
The home features original art on many of the walls, including one that she and her husband put together using remnant wood.
In addition to the art, the home is set apart by a distinctive feature out back: a semi-in-ground pool and hot tub surrounded by a deck with a swim-up bar. Tenuto said she and her husband used the equity from selling a North Wildwood condo to work with noted contractor, the late Kevin Belmonte.
"We utilized [the proceeds] and built that little oasis in the back," she said.
The space is among her favorites in the home, because it provides year-round entertainment.
"We close the pool in winter and open the hot tub, so you have access to jumping in some sort of body of water 12 months out of the year," she said.
Last winter the couple built an igloo during a snowstorm around the hot tub.
"We stocked all of our wine and our beer and stayed in there for hours," she said. "It was amazing."
The couple has decided to sell the property and move on to new ventures. Tenuto said there has already been overwhelming interest in the property for its unique features.
"It's not going to last long," she said. "There's definitely nothing like it in the city."
The home is currently listed by Mike McCann for $800,000.