House of the week: A one-of-a kind modern house in Germantown for $604,000
The three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home is in what was originally built as an auto repair shop.
Lucas Pipkin thought he had the perfect house in Manayunk — until he didn’t.
He was leafing through an architecture periodical, he recalled, when he spotted an unusual, modern structure in Germantown and thought to himself, “This is my dream house.”
It was 2002, and what Pipkin saw was a three-bedroom, 2½-bath home in what was originally built as an auto repair shop.
The conversion was done by the C2 architecture firm of Philadelphia as part of a redevelopment project for the entire block.
“I liked the modern, clean lines,” Pipkin said. And the rooftop deck was both very large and private.
But Pipkin, who holds a leadership position with a major retailer, also loves the mountains and will be moving to Asheville, N.C., to work remotely.
The garage dates back to the 1950s, Pipkin believes, and was converted to a residence in 2001. He’s the only person to have lived there.
The open floor plan integrates the living, dining, and kitchen areas.
There is solid oak flooring throughout and 15-foot vaulted ceilings.
Real estate agent Lorraine D’Ulisse describes it as “industrial chic aesthetic,” with exposed ducts and refurbished beams.
The large foyer area has built-in cabinetry, and there are electronic shades throughout the house, most of them operated by remote control.
The primary bedroom is on the main level with an en suite bathroom with a slate tile floor. The bedroom has access to the private patio.
The kitchen has solid oak cabinetry, butcher-block countertops, a stainless-steel sink, outside cooking ventilation, and a French door refrigerator.
The main level also includes a powder room and laundry room.
The upper level has a second bedroom with en suite bath and two large closets, and a third bedroom currently being used as an office.
The front roof deck is 25 by 20 feet and accessed from the upper hallway, and there is an additional rear deck.
There is parking space for one car and a tax abatement of about eight years. And there are original pavers from Germantown Avenue alongside the house.
The 2,000-square-foot house is listed by Lorraine D’Ulisse of Keller Williams Blue Bell for $604,000.