Margate’s priciest home for sale | Real Estate Newsletter
Plus: Rittenhouse’s secret art collection
Greetings! Michaelle is off, so I’ll be here to talk real estate with you for the next few weeks.
Last weekend’s spring weather has me fantasizing about trips to the Shore. I’m an Ocean City girlie (my pizza loyalty is with Prep’s), but no Shore trip is complete without a visit to Lucy the Elephant in Margate. You could be Lucy’s neighbor if you happen to have $11 million.
Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:
Summer fantasies: Peek inside the priciest home in Margate and imagine a summer at the Shore.
Someone else’s stairs: See the spiral staircase one homeowner bought on Facebook.
Historic building’s future: Learn which historic Old City building was sold to a developer known for Central Park skyscrapers.
Look up: Meet the people living in all those tall buildings in Center City.
📮 I love rowhouses with vestibules between the front door and living room — especially when they have colorful wallpaper or tile. It’s a so-Philly detail that appears in this week’s home tour. Does your home have a vestibule? If so email me some pics and tell me what you love about it.
— Erica Palan
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Recently listed: a six-bedroom, 4,250-square-foot, beach-block home in Margate. At $10.9 million, it is the priciest home currently for sale in that Shore community, according to Zillow.
The Mediterranean-style, stucco exterior home was inspired by the owners’ love of Palm Beach architecture. The pink door was recently added.
If any newsletter readers buy it, I’m expecting an invite to take a dip in the pool when the first heat wave hits. (I’ll bring the pizza.)
Get in the mood for those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer and take a look inside.
As a lifelong Philadelphian, I pride myself on knowing a lot about this city. But this story from my colleague Bedatri D. Choudhury taught me something new.
Hidden behind the door of a Delancey Street home is one of the best collections of minimalist art in the world, curated by Henry McNeil Jr., son of Tylenol magnate Henry Slack McNeil. Even the bathroom has a Picasso.
Christie’s will be auctioning major pieces from the collection in May, if you happen have a bare wall and money to burn.
Peek inside this exquisite home gallery and learn what it was like for kids growing up around priceless art.
The latest news to pay attention to
One of Center City’s oldest historic high-rises is becoming an apartment building.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier moves to restrict zoning for four West Philly schools slated to close.
In a rare move, Philly landlords sued to delay a City Council vote on legislation meant to protect renters.
How much does it cost to buy a post office? On the edge of Fishtown, $5.5 million.
Insurance giant Chubb is sellling a historic Walnut Street office building to a New York developer known for Central Park skyscrapers.
Deed delays in Philly Sheriff’s Office have prompted lawsuits. “The problem is unique to Philadelphia,” according to one suit.
House of the week: A century-old barn turned three-bedroom house for $799,999.
Home tour: Charming and handmade in Port Richmond
As someone who looks at beautiful homes for a living, sometimes I can be a tough critic. But this sweet Port Richmond reno has me smitten. Florist Hadassah Stoltzfus worked with her dad to renovate the rowhouse and added so many personal details.
I love the handmade tiles in the kitchen and the cozy nooks for dining and entertaining throughout the first floor.
Most impressive is the spiral staircase Stoltzfus purchased on Facebook Marketplace and added to create access to a brightly lit loft, just big enough for her keyboard. Did you even know you could buy someone’s used stairs? I didn’t.
Take a tour of the space and let me know if you’re as charmed as I was.
📷 Photo quiz
Do you know the location this photo shows?
📮 If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter.
Shoutout to Nicole C. for correctly guessing that last week’s photo showed the Schuylkill River Trail.
📹 On the street
Strolling down Center City streets, it’s easy to forget that there are thousands of homes sitting in the sky above. But since 2023, about 3,500 new apartments have been built downtown, mostly in high-rise buildings.
My colleagues Jake Blumgart and Erin Reynolds tell us who lives in those units and what they like about residing in the heart of Philadelphia.
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