On the market: A semi-detached rowhouse in Passyunk Square for $725,000
The house was built in 1987 and improved along the way by neighbors, friends and relatives.
Kathryn and Stephen Dunne’s house is truly a team affair.
It was built in 1987 by Frank Martorano, father of a Passyunk Square neighbor, Michael Martorano, who grew up there and is now a master plumber.
Michael Martorano has done a lot of work on the house since the Dunnes bought it in 2016 after several years of apartment-hopping while Stephen paid off graduate student loans.
Stephen’s brother Patrick, a master electrician with Philadelphia Local 98, upgraded the electrical system.
Kathryn’s brother’s father-in-law contributed a modern cedar door in the back yard, a modern barn door on the second floor, and custom oak shelves in the master bedroom.
Another neighbor, Paul Benson, installed new appliances.
Stephen, who was a landscaper before becoming a consumer bankruptcy lawyer, likes to pitch in — up to a point.
“I get my hands dirty helping out,” he says. “But I know enough not to do it myself.”
Still, the team has been unable to provide the one thing the couple now needs: more space for themselves and their three young children.
So the Dunnes plan to move to a suburb within about 20 miles of Philadelphia.
“We’re going to rent for a year to figure it out,” says Kathryn, a paralegal who works with her husband. “We only know the city.”
The three-bedroom, 1½-bath house has an open floor plan and hardwood floors. The chef’s kitchen has granite and white quartz countertops, modern cabinetry, and top-grade appliances.
The adjacent living room area has a powder room and door to the backyard, which has a new privacy wall.
The courtyard has rain-absorbent pavers and a custom-designed iron gate.
The second floor has a main bedroom with a deck area overlooking the courtyard and two additional bedrooms.
Off the main bedroom is a spiral staircase leading to a third-story loft with a door to a possible future roof deck.
There is also a second-floor laundry room and a finished basement.
The house is blocks from the Italian Market and stores including Acme, CVS and Whole Foods.
It is in the K-8 Andrew Jackson School catchment area.
The house is listed by Joseph Nestor of Patterson-Schwartz Greenville for $725,000.