4216 PINE

West Philly’s Spruce Hill community is said to be one of the most intact Victorian neighborhoods in the country, and 4216 Pine St. is one of its crown jewels. In the very heart of University City, it’s just a few blocks from the University of Pennsylvania on a sedate, tree-lined street. The 4-story semi-detached approximately 4000 s.f. property was totally restored by its current owners when they purchased it in 1988, and they’ve cared for it very well ever since. The elegant exterior is faithful to its original design and up to date in its maintenance, and the interior is both stunningly original AND laid out in a way that works well for 21st century living./ All of the c.1906 features remain: natural woodwork, leaded glass, window seats, pocket doors, working fireplaces, bay windows, crown molding, wainscoting, and hardwood flooring. The many windows on the east side bring in loads of light, and there’s an open front porch looking out on the block. The timeless eat-in kitchen has double glass doors opening onto the deck, overlooking the private landscaped rear yard. The second floor front family room is glamorous, and there are plenty of other upstairs rooms for uses in addition to bedrooms: a study, dressing room, nursery, home office - whatever, the space is there. The bath styles range from old-fashioned to recent, and the basement is high and dry with lots of usable space./ Located in the Southeast Spruce Hill Historic District, it’s 3 blocks from the award-winning Penn Alexander K-8 grade school* and 2 blocks from Baltimore Avenue, Spruce Hill’s “Main Street” with its eclectic shops and small neighborhood restaurants and bars. The T2 trolley on Baltimore Ave whisks riders to center city in 15 minutes, stopping at UPenn, Drexel U and the 30th St. transportation hub along the way. (*Location in the Penn Alexander catchment area doesn’t guarantee admission.)