pennsylvania real estate

Vezelay, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

Today Concierge Auctions takes you away to Vezelay, a sprawling equestrian estate in Unionville, Pennsylvania. This home on 51.9 acres goes up for sale on May 10. The property includes a six-stall custom barn and a more than 9,000-square-foot residence. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with Brett Jones and Karen Nader of Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby's International Realty. The property was originally listed for $6.969 million.

"Vezelay is a true escape, offering rural relaxation, panoramic views, a custom barn and direct access to the Laurels Preserve, a permanently protected natural area," Nader stated. "This property is not just a residence, it's a lifestyle. We look forward to working with Concierge Auctions to find its new owners."

The main home has open, cathedral ceilings leading to a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Laurels Preserve. Also on the first floor, the chef's kitchen offers arguably some of the best views of the property, and the master bedroom suite is complete with a sitting room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a fireplace. On the second floor of the main home, two bedrooms each offer convenient en-suite bathrooms for guests. The lower level is home to a media room that looks out to the large heated pool. Another bedroom suite includes a walk-in closet and a full bath.

The home was enlarged in 2007 with a two-story addition with additional rooms and amenities. Accessible from the courtyard and the garage or from the main home's interior sunroom and nearby hallway, is the mud room. The addition also has an office and an assistant's office. The office is equipped with two desks and has direct access to a half bathroom between it and a 400-square-foot studio space, which features cathedral ceilings and ample storage below. The second floor of the addition includes a kitchenette, two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom. Two very unique additional spaces include a dollhouse room and a Breyer horse room for children to play.

Outside there is the pool and Jacuzzi spa. Designed by resident Charlotte du Pont Donaldson D'Arcy, the barn has a large tack room, feed room, heated wash stall, main level hay storage, workshop and three oversized garage bays while the second level of the barn has air-conditioned and heated squash court and a small basketball court.

The "live" auction of the Vezelay Estate will be held on May 10. The property is available for preview daily by appointment. For more information call 866-822-0874 or visit www.VezelayAuction.com.

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Condos in Philadelphia's Waterfront Square Project Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Waterfront Square, a luxury condominium project on the Delaware River in Philadelphia is the site of a new condo auction. The Philadephia Inquirer reports that this is the fourth time in a little more than a year that units in this building are being auctioned off. A total of 35 condos are being put up for auction at an event being held by Accelerated Marketing Partners. The condos are located in a formerly industrial area and the nearest neighbor is the SugarHouse Casino, a fact which according to the article, is actually a boon for local residents.

The first two towers at Waterfront Square, which were completed in late 2005 and early 2006, are sold out, except for one unit but the newest tower, a 179-unit high-rise called the Reef is the one that has faced difficult times. It was 72 percent presold when September 2008 rolled around and one of the lenders was Lehman Brothers. The completion of the tower was delayed for a year and the bulk of buyers who had signed contracts backed out.

Waterfront Square is a gated community on 10 acres. A grass-covered parking garage forms the largest green roof in Philadelphia. There is a fitness center, pool, clubhouse and a concierge in each tower building.

The 35 units include one-bedroom and two-bedroom units and minimum bid prices range from $195,000 to $415,000 which is over 50 percent off the original selling prices. The auction takes place November 21, at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.

Tags: pennsylvania real estate, philadelphia real estate, philadephia, waterfront square

The Top of the Touraine, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Looking for an unusual place to dwell? How about an adobe penthouse atop a landmark Philadelphia building?
Today's estate sits on top of The Touraine. Located in Rittenhouse Square, the Touraine was built in 1917 and has been revamped into a luxury building. Atop the building is this incredible bit of the Southwest designed by architect Adolph deRoy-Mark. The home is surrounded by large gardened terraces with city views.

A piece in The Bulletin last year offers more details about the home, including the fact that it has a basement, a foundation dug into the thick room. The home was built in 1981 and the terraces are covered with plants and tall Southwest style grasses. The owners have filled the home with antiques from around the world. The space itself is undeniably quirky but has a feel that really takes it far away from the urban landscape, until you notice that the wide window show skyscraper views. The property is a lease-hold estate property and is listed at $2.9 million.

Gallery: The Top Of The Touraine

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Luxury Philadelphia Condo Building Could Face Foreclosure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Another luxury condo project could be headed for foreclosure. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the senior lender for the 10 Rittenhouse Square condo project is seeking to foreclose on it and put it in receivership. The 33-story project has 135 condominiums priced from $600,000 to $15 million as well as retail and restaurants space. So far a total of 41 units have either been sold or are under contract with another five currently in negotiation. The luxury building has a 24-hour doorman service, a concierge, indoor pool, fitness center, garden area, guest suite and other amenities. The units have massive windows with city views, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and private balconies and terraces.

Istar Tara L.L.C., of New York originally had about $251 million in two loans but with recent sales that number is closer to $190 million. The project's mezzanine lender, Delaware Valley Real Estate Investment Fund, which has $57 million invested in the project, sued Istar back in July and its subsidiary, Rittenhouse Pension Investors L.L.C., assumed management of 10 Rittenhouse from developer ARCWheeler Inc. Istar Tara appears to be in major trouble and might see bankruptcy protection. It has a total of $8.6 billion in debt.

Istar also was the senior lender for another Philadelphia-area project, Aria, which then went into receivership, but eventually was revived when a new investor GoldOller Aria Associates of Philadelphia bought the unsold units and commercial space at a sheriff's sale in November.

Tags: 10 rittenhouse square, istar, istar tara, pennsylvania real estate, philadelphia real estate, rittenhouse, rittenhouse square

Bergdoll Mansion, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a piece of Philadelphia history, and 1882 Italianate style brownstone that belonged to the Bergdoll family. The Bergdolls made a fortune by making beer and the 14,000 square foot mansion is a testimony to their status as one of the city's most wealthy families. Grover Cleveland Bergdoll was considered one of the great playboys of the early 1900s and was one of the first private owners of an airplane in the U.S. Philadelphia Reflections reports that he was a draft dodger, his mother hid him in the mansion to prevent his participation in World War I. He eventually ended up in exile in Germany. Even after World War II, when he finally returned he was apprehended and tried, and spent a brief time in jail. The mansion was later turned into apartments.

The home has now been restored with newer plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electric. The details and craftsmanship have been preserved in architectural details like the mosaic tile, ceiling frescoes, carved woodwork, ornamental plaster and more. It has a formal drawing room, huge dining room, library, sunroom and a total of eight bedrooms. There are two cook's kitchens, one for the home cook and one for entertaining. The entire .38 acre property is fenced and has a courtyard that can accommodate eight cars. It is listed at $6.995 million.

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Chef Boyardee's Mansion Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Auctions

It's the house that sauce built. A home known as the Chef Boyardee mansion is going up for auction. Ettore "Hector" Boiardi was an Italian immigrant who came to the U.S. at the age of 16 and later moved to Cleveland where he opened up a restaurant. His sauce became so popular that he bottled it and eventually opened up a food factory (the spelling was changed so that Americans would be able to pronounce the name correctly). His business rapidly expanded and he moved to central Pennsylvania in 1938 to be closer to the tomato growers. The Milton, Pennsylvania home up for auction on June 26, 2010 was built in 1941-42 for Boiardi and his wife, Helen. The lavish mansion represented the achievement of an American dream to the Italian chef.

The home has leaded glass windows, a curved staircase and brick fireplaces. A front portico features white pillars and a half-circle stone patio. The 2.8 acre property has an inground pool and a bath house. A report from The Daily Item says that even after Boiardi sold the mansion he could be seen in the area walking the grounds. The mansion has only had two owners, Boiardi and the current owner. It was purchased by Harvey and Rozella Follmer in 1965 and Mrs. Follmer is now downsizing.

The auction is being run by Hassinger & Courtney Auctioneers and includes some furniture owned by the Boiardis including a Spanish revival dining room set and the living room chandelier. More details are available at the Hassinger & Courtney auction site.

Gallery: The House That Boyardee Built

Tags: chef boyardee, hector boiardi, pennsylvania real estate, real estate auction

Felicity Farm, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Auctions

You have to love a picturesque estate with the happy name of Feilcity Farm. This home in Wawa, Pennsylvania is being auctioned off on June 9 through Concierge Auctions. The home is a 15.8 acre estate located a half hour's drive from Philadelphia.

The main house has a brick and stone exterior. There are six bedrooms including two master suites. It was built in 1936, expanded in 1938 and then again in 1948. The home has a large lower level area for entertaining. The formal entry hall has gold leaf wall finishing and lighted sconces. The main staircase has a painted sky ceiling above and a crystal chandelier. A grotto, accessible through pocket sliding glass doors from the formal living room, adds a unique architectural feature to the home. The home also has several beautiful tiled fireplaces including one with an "Alice in Wonderland" motif. Outside there is a barn, paddocks, a indoor riding arena and a separate apartment.

It was originally listed for $3.7 million but is is selling with a reserve of $1.5 million and a pre-sale estimate of $1.9 million to $2.49 million. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with Debbie McCabe of Prudential Fox & Roach

Gallery: Felicity Farm

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Benchoff Estate, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate offers you the chance to be somewhat distant neighbors with the Presidential retreat of Camp David. On June 12, Concierge Auctions will host a luxury real estate auction of a 150-acre equestrian estate. The J. Martin Benchoff Estate is a family compound located on Old Route 16 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, only a 90-minute drive from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and 3 hours from Philadelphia.

The compound has four residences including the main house, a 15,000-square-foot custom home built of native stone and positioned for beautiful views. The main house has five bedroom, two kitchens, a master suite with a Jacuzzi room and separate redwood sauna. The great room on the lower level can accommodate more than 100 people for entertaining and has a wet bar, kitchen with wine cellar, and a library with built-in bookshelves. Outside a flagstone patio circles the house and leads to an in-ground swimming pool with pool house and a fenced tennis court.

The property includes mature forests stocked with wildlife including deer and wild turkey and there is also an equestrian facility with stables and outbuildings and a working farm on the property. Access to the Appalachian Trail is an estimated 100 yards away.

The home was originally listed for $7.9 million and is selling with a reserve of $3 million and a pre-sale estimate of $4 million to $5.8 million.

UPDATE: This auction has been moved to June 25.

Gallery: Benchoff Estate Auction

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Dunminning Estate Carriage House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate is a splendid renovation of an old carriage house. It was built in 1887 as the carriage house to the Dunminning Estate in one of the Main Line's most desired neighborhoods in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The stone structure underwent an extensive renovation from 1995-1998 creating a unique home with all sorts of fun details. The main room has dramatic high ceilings with huge stable doors and areas for formal dining, hanging out by the bar and watching television. It's an impressively huge space, loft-like in its sprawl. The carriage house details remain with the wide doorway openings and the original hitching posts still in place in several rooms. The home has diamond windows and a huge chef's kitchen with custom cabinetry, granite counters and a large fireplace. There is also a library with custom mahogany cabinets and shelving. The master suite has a fireplace and skylights, large sitting room and French limestone bath with European soaking tub and walk-in shower. This home is listed at $4.6 million.

Gallery: Dunminning Estate Carriage House

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Lion's Crest, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

What is it about the name Lion's Crest when it comes to modern castles? We saw one in Virginia last year now check out the Pennsylvania version. Lion's Crest is a custom home in Newtown, PA on 10 acres that include also include a two-bedroom guest house and a pool complex with an infinity heated pool with a limestone pool surround, fire pit and pool house with a large stone fireplace and full bathroom. The five-bedroom home is done in a French manor style with hand-cut stone, stucco and brick, Inside it has 10-foot ceilings oak flooring and exposed stone walls. The lower level and third floor are unfinished which may be why there aren't interior pics on the listing. It is listed at $12.995 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Lion's Crest

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Brooke Mansion, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Love the Victorian era? Then this estate of the day, located in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania will make your heart beat faster. The Brooke Mansion is a 13,000 square foot home which has recently been used as a bed and breakfast. The home was built in 1888 by Edward Brooke II as a wedding present for his bride. It was designed by architect Frank Furness and the cast iron work in the doors and fireplaces was created at the E. and G. Brooke iron foundry. Victorian details abound including custom fireplaces, window seats, clawfoot tubs and most of the original tile and woodwork. It is listed at $3.75 million. Much quaintness after the jump.

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