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On the market: A Victorian-style facade, modern interior and roof deck in Queen Village for $870,000

Queen Village is a great neighborhood, the owner says. “Diverse in terms of ages and everything else.”

The house is built around a four-story industrial “floating staircase.”
The house is built around a four-story industrial “floating staircase.”Read moreGary Schempp

The pandemic has brought housing lifestyle changes for many people, including Steve Picco and his family.

Picco, a retired environmental lawyer, and his wife, Ada, a retired drug and alcohol counselor, have joined their daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren in what he calls “a new generational arrangement.”

They are together in a large house in Chestnut Hill that gives the grandchildren more room to be outside and the parents readily available grandparent supervision.

“COVID was clearly the tipping point for my daughter,” Steve says.

They are leaving behind a three-bedroom, 2½-bath house in Queen Village that he says was “the best move we had ever made.” The Piccos bought the place in 2009.

“It’s a great neighborhood,” he says. “Diverse in terms of ages and everything else.”

The couple happened upon the house by accident while looking for a house for Ada’s sister.

The house is built around a four-story industrial “floating staircase,” and Steve says that as soon as Ada saw it, “She said, ‘You have to look at this place.’”

Built in 1915 and completely renovated in 2008, the house has a Victorian-style facade with a modern interior.

The first floor has two large bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and there are Brazilian cherry floors throughout.

The second floor has the living room with a gas fireplace, dining room, and kitchen with modern Ultracraft cabinetry, a KitchenAid stainless steel appliance suite, and a wine refrigerator set in the island.

The main bedroom is on the third floor, along with a large bath with Duravit soaking tub and separate tiled shower. There is a laundry center between the third and fourth floors.

The fourth floor has a solarium/pilot house that can be used as an office.

The rooftop patio has two sections, with views of both the city and the river.

The basement has a second washer/dryer and a two-person sauna.

The house is in the William M. Meredith (K-8) School catchment area.

It is listed by Kathy Krebs of Elfant-Wissahickon-Chestnut Hill for $870,000.