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737 Harvard Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
The Lodge
Co-listed by Becky Hansen Welsh and Dave Welsh with marketing copy by Carrie Piccard
In the year 1900, silver manufacturer F.M. Simons commissioned a magnificent American Shingle Style residence on Harvard Avenue. Nestled on the hillside between the Strath Haven Inn, which Simons had built in 1892, and the Presbyterian Church, whose land he had donated in 1895, The Lodge was intended to be a men’s club. However, Simons and his family could not resist moving into it as their summer residence, and three years later they chose to make The Lodge their year-round home.
The exquisite setting, circular drive, clean lines and airy interior of the original structure are as impressive today as they were the day it was built. A full restoration, completed this year, brings The Lodge every modern comfort without compromising its historic charm. This extraordinary home now boasts state-of-the-art efficiency and finishes, while its commodious, light-filled rooms and breathtaking vistas retain the warmth of happy summers all year long.
A sweeping flagstone patio and two large covered porches welcome you home. Enter the foyer for a taste of the open American Shingle Style floor plan, soft neutral colors, and new warmly stained, rift sawn white oak floors. A handsome, two-sided, stone fireplace with gas inserts provides a visual anchor for the light-filled entry, living room and library. Beautifully restored original windows on every side bring the outdoors in. The spacious living room is open to the library, with its built-in bookcases, door to the screened porch and a charming window seat overlooking the woods and creek. 
The formal dining room has working pocket doors and a handsome restored corner cabinet with custom interior lighting to illuminate the original Strath Haven coat of arms. The magnificent open gourmet kitchen is an inspiration to enjoy both cooking and entertaining. The large island, custom Goebelwood Industries cabinets with organizers, snowy quartz countertops, dove gray, subway tile backsplash with leaf motif detail, and customized lighting join with high-performing appliances like the Jenn-Air gas cooktop and wifi-connected oven-microwave combo, the recessed Samsung Family Hub smart refrigerator, and beverage center to make meal preparation a magical experience.
A powder room with cabinet-style vanity, hammered silver bowl sink, and The Lodge’s signature leaf motif completes the first floor.
Upstairs, the spacious master suite begins with a large bedroom with doors to a romantic sleeping porch overlooking the trees. The luxurious master bath boasts in-floor radiant heat. Natural Carrara marble surrounds the glass stall shower with a seat, and a marble topped double bowl vanity completes the spa-like setting. The dressing room has one wall of custom closets, one wall of built-in organizers, and two gorgeous windows with treetop views. The gleaming new red oak floors in the master suite can be found throughout the second and third floors.
The second bedroom suite is home to the bay of arched windows seen from the façade of the home, ample closet space, and an en suite bath featuring in-floor radiant heat, a glass door stall shower with dove gray random width subway tile surround. The third bedroom has a large closet and overlooks the woods and creek. A hall bath with in-floor radiant heat, random width subway tile bathtub surround, and a laundry room complete the second floor.
The third floor opens onto a massive sunny sitting room. The fourth and fifth bedrooms each offer beautiful views and ample closet space. The sixth bedroom is large enough to be used as an extra family room. A full hall bath with heated porcelain travertine floor tiles, and a glass door stall shower with random width travertine subway tile surround completes the third floor.
The hillside construction of The Lodge allows daylight views for the sunny walkout lower level. The open family room is a fun spot for casual entertaining, and boasts a bar area with custom cabinetry and a beverage center, a door to the patio, and windows overlooking the woods. A bonus room with a closet, and a full bath with stall shower complete the lower level. Outside, priceless Japanese maples adorn the large, sheltered front yard. Choose between the open porch and the screened porch for summertime meals and watching the sunset over the creek and hillside.
This wealth of space and sanctuary is located a stroll from all the wonderful things Swarthmore Borough has to offer. The library, shops, restaurants, Inn, and residential rail station are all just blocks from the front door. Take the train to reach downtown Philadelphia in thirty minutes, or drive to Wilmington in that same half an hour. The Philadelphia International Airport is just a fifteen-minute drive away.
Restored with an eye for comfort and efficiency in mind, The Lodge boasts many green upgrades including: state-of-the-art triple zoned heat and Central Air, an Energy Star gas hot water heater, spray foam insulation and LED lighting throughout the home, and restoration with energy efficient jamb liners and low E glass for all original windows.
Extras like whole-house audio and network wiring, high-tech security features, exterior landscape lighting, and smart appliances add a touch of luxury to everyday life. A full list of amenities is available for your perusal. Join us at the open house, or schedule your private tour today.
Are you new to the Swarthmore area? My blog (accessed from my home page here) has an A Day In the Life in Swarthmore article here archived weekly Activities in Swarthmore, Wallingford & Media like the one here which may provide more specific details about things to do in our vibrant community! The Community Links page here will give you one-stop access to relevant links to our top-notch local schools, arts community, SEPTA (our regional rail system) and more!
Photography:
Historic photos of The Lodge and its owner provided courtesy of Officer William Thomas. * Modern photos of The Lodge shot by Jack Zigon. * Swarthmore Borough photographs by Carrie Piccard
No offers will be reviewed until noon on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
carrie piccard 