Former South Philly firehouse turned luxury residence hits market for $2.5M
The property was originally home to the horse-drawn wagons of Engine 10.
A firehouse dating to 1874 and modernized as a single-family home with skyline views of Center City has been listed for sale for $2.5 million in East Passyunk.
It was originally home to the horse-drawn wagons of Engine 10. Closed in 1953, the neighborhood landmark sat vacant for decades before undergoing extensive renovations that began around 2018.
The property was listed Tuesday.
“This is the place where you would want to do some serious entertaining,” said agent Nancy Haas with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Fox & Roach Realtors.
“It’s got the cool factor, and it’s got the privacy,” she said. “The roof deck has a 360-view so you can see the fireworks on New Year’s and Fourth of July.”
Grand arched French doors
The home, which has 4,200 square feet of living space, as well as a three-car garage, occupies what would typically span four lots in the neighborhood.
The living space is marked by 13-foot ceilings, exposed brick, reclaimed barn wood floors, and a floating staircase.
The three-bedroom, two-full-bath home also includes two powder rooms. The main level features a formal dining area, custom office, and kitchen with a 10-foot leather-finished granite island, Wolf range, and Sub-Zero refrigerator.
Upstairs, the primary suite includes a custom-built walk-in closet and en suite bath with a soaking tub imported from France.
The finished basement includes a wet bar and fully equipped home gym with equipment included in the sale.
The living room is notable for three grand arched French doors that open into a private 600-square-foot open-air atrium, which leads to a detached garage.
Soundproof windows
Built for privacy, the residence incorporates soundproof front windows and a multiscreen security monitoring system.
Haas said the home, situated near East Passyunk Avenue and the Italian Market, combines secluded living with convenient access to dining, the sports stadiums, and Philadelphia International Airport.
Haas, whose husband, Michael Blowney, is assisting her with the sale, said he thinks the unique property would appeal to young couples with children, empty nesters, or professional athletes seeking a high level of privacy but access to convenience.
A ‘unicorn property’
“In real estate, we would refer to this as kind of a unicorn,” Blowney said. “It’s a unique property. … You can’t comp it to anything within half a mile.”
Haas has listed the property on behalf of a relative who purchased it in 2022 for $2.75 million.
“We talked to them about the market, and they understand that we’re in a different market than when they bought it,” Haas said.
