48 West Queen Lane

3 beds | 1 baths | 1 half bath

$1,000,000

Listing
Description

Presenting the Jos E McGuirk and Son Moving and Storage Building, one of Philadelphia's finest examples of adaptive reuse, offering the most discerning buyer a glorious melding of old and new, industrial and cozy, vintage and modern.

Built in 1899, this handsome red brick building stands high above Queen Lane, its gloss black carriage house doors flanked with flourishing planters. Ghost signs harken the past and the building's former life. Once inside, find everything you'd expect from such a commanding structure: sun-soaked open spaces, soaring ceilings, limewashed brick walls, wood beams, exposed ductwork and burnished metal. The patinaed hardwood floors and exposed ceiling joists honor the building's previous lives and history, both fascinating and important. A manual Otis-Fensom elevator uses a traditional rope and pulley system and is a nod to turn-of-the-century industrial design. At ground level, find a creative's dream. Currently used as a woodworking shop, this wide-open blank slate with exposed brick walls, a sink and task lighting have endless uses. A workshop, painting gallery, ceramics studio, fabrication showroom and gym are just a few ideas. Scooter and motorcycle parking offer off-street convenience and a full basement below with 4' footings add an additional level of workspace. On the second floor, find a gracious floorplan filled with incredible architectural detail, yet uniquely suited to comfortable everyday living. Offering design-sensitive renovations and vintage restorations, this main living floor has defined, cozy spaces while remaining open and loft-like. Here, pottery and mid-century candlestick collections take center stage against a backdrop of colorful textiles and plants. A pellet stove centers the room and offers a reprieve from the chill of crisp winter evenings. A powder room boasting a refurbished sink, a restored door from a local church, raw brick and reclaimed transom windows adds convenience and elegance. The kitchen is practical and functional with soapstone countertops, Edison bulb industrial light fixtures and matte grey cabinetry melding seamlessly into the design of the room. Quiet elegance awaits in the third-floor primary loft with original details that have been blended with modern comforts, creating a truly inspirational sanctuary. Open to allow light to bounce throughout the space, the bedroom merges modern influences and the innovative design of a five-star hotel. With exposed brick, southern yellow pine floors, shelving sourced from a sugar house in Vermont, and an enviable walk-in closet that raises the standard from an ordinary closet to a boutique-like space, this bedroom is everything you'd expect from a home of the highest caliber. The spa-like bath features marble penny tile floors, a vintage pedestal sink, and an oversized shower with classic subway tile. Two additional enclosed bedrooms, a reading nook, space for yoga and a second living room space create a relaxing, magazine-worthy masterpiece. The crowning jewel of the home is ladder access to the roof where the sunsets are breathtaking. The home boasts a new roof, new front windows, and a 3-zoned HVAC system, all completed using the finest materials while respecting the architectural essence of the original structure. Nestled in the Penn-Knox neighborhood, historic Grumblethorpe and the Trinity Lutheran Church anchor the block on cobblestoned Germantown Avenue. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books, Maker Artisan Pizza and Howell Park are within a few blocks. Nearby, the revitalized Wayne Junction, which dates back to the 1880s, houses Attic Brewing, Merzbacher's Bakery and Deke's Barbeque. Wissahickon Park offers 57 miles of trails among 18 acres of lush parkland and Center City is just 20 minutes away by train or car. In a neighborhood rife with historic architecture, this adaptive reuse is an architectural marvel. A truly exceptional property with charm and thoughtful renovations in a soul-filled building. Welcome home.