42 W Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118 - Photo 1

1/1

$2,550,000

Sold
Closed
Single Family
7 Beds
4 Full Baths
1 Partial Bath
5,175 Sq. Ft.
2 Car Garage

1/1

Property Description

Welcome to "The Firs," an iconic 1922 George Howe masterpiece on Bells Mill Road in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. This beautiful Norman manor sits on 2.7 acres abutting Fairmount Park and Wissahickon creek. Howe, a world-renowned architect and Chestnut Hill resident, studied at L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Paris and designed this house as a smaller, more functional replica of his own home "High Hollow" above it on Hampton Road. A cobblestone-paved courtyard removes you from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The house revels in a light-filled southwestern exposure, and in addition to offering an incredibly functional floor plan, you'll find a stable, a two-car garage with studio apartment, fabulous patio, rustic springhouse and gorgeous landscaping as far as the eye can see. On the first floor, you'll find a lovely living room and dining room, each with floor to ceiling windows and gas fireplaces, a study, a wonderful kitchen with granite island, countertops and kitchen table and a kitchen garden and first floor powder room. Downstairs you'll find a gym with sauna, a workbench and mudroom. The second floor boasts a primary bedroom suite with floor to ceiling windows and a stunning bathroom, along with three other bedrooms/studies and two full baths. The third floor offers three additional bedrooms and one full bath. Exquisite Yellin iron work on the staircase connects all the floors. The property is fenced for privacy with direct entry into Fairmount Park for access to trails and the Wissahickon. Come see for yourself, why inside and out, "The Firs" is a treasured Chestnut Hill gem.

Full Property Details

Full Property Details for 42 W Bells Mill Rd

General

Sold For: $2,550,000
Taxes: $32,265 (2024)
Status: Closed
Type: Single Family
Source: BrightMLSPhilly
MLS ID: PAPH2400306
Added to Site: 499 day(s) ago

Interior

Interior Features: Bathroom - Soaking Tub, Crown Moldings, Floor Plan - Traditional, Formal/Separate Dining Room, Kitchen - Island
Fireplace: Yes
Number of Fireplaces: 2
Fireplace(s): Gas/Propane, Gas/Propane
Appliances: Cooktop, Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Oven - Double, Refrigerator, Washer
Flooring: Partially Carpeted, Stone, Wood

Rooms

Bathrooms

Total Bathrooms: 5
Full Bathrooms: 4
Half Bathrooms: 1
Upper 2 - Full Baths: 1
Upper Floor Baths: 4
Upper - Full Baths: 4
Main Floor Baths: 1
Main - 1/2 Baths: 1

Bedrooms

Total Bedrooms: 7
Bedrooms Upper: 7
Bedrooms-Up2: 3

Other Rooms

Laundry: Upper Floor

Exterior

Exterior Features: Exterior Lighting, Lawn Sprinkler
Porch/Patio/Deck: Balcony, Patio(s), Terrace

Parking

Garage: Yes
Garage Spaces: 2
Total Spaces: 9
Parking Type: Detached Garage, Driveway
Garage Description: Garage - Front Entry, Garage Door Opener

Location

Area: 19118 (19118)
Municipality: PHILADELPHIA
County: Philadelphia
Development Name: Chestnut Hill
Subdivision: Chestnut Hill
Driving Directions: Germantown Avenue to Bells Mill Road
Direction Faces: North

School Information

School District: The School District Of Philadelphia

Heating & Cooling

Central air: Yes
Cooling Type: Central A/C
Cooling Fuel: Natural Gas
Heating Type: 90% Forced Air, Hot Water
Heating Fuel: Natural Gas
Water Heater: Natural Gas

Utilities

Sewer: Public Sewer
Water: Public

Structural Information

Architectural Info: Normandy
Architectural Style: Normandy
Structure Type: Detached
Architect: George Howe
Construction: Stone
Basement: Yes
Basement Desc.: Daylight, Partial, Connecting Stairway, Workshop
Foundation: Stone
Roof: Slate
Stories/Levels: 0
Stories Description: Main, Upper 1, Upper 2
Square Feet: 5,175
Sq. Ft. Source: Assessor
Living Area: 5,175 Sq. Ft.
Finished Above Grnd: 5,175 Sq. Ft.
Year Built: 1922
Year Built Source: Estimated
Property Condition: Excellent

Lot Features

Lot Size (Acres): 2.7
Lot Size (Sq. Ft.): 117,612
Lot Size Source: Estimated
Lot Dimensions: 468.00 x 362.00
Zoning: RSD1

Financial Considerations

Price Per Sq. Ft.: $482.13
Assessment Year: 2024
School Tax: $18,068
City/TownTax: $14,196
City/TownTax Freq: Annually
County Tax Freq: Annually
Tax w/Assessment: $2,305,000
Tax Amount: $32,265
Tax Year: 2024
Terms: Standard Sale
Tax Total Finished Sq. Ft.: 5175

Disclosures and Reports

Ownership: Fee Simple
Inclusions: All concrete garden statuary and planters and bronze urn in lower garden.
Lot Number: 63

Listed by Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty, Ellen Hass
Sold by Keller Williams Realty Devon-Wayne, Alex Coates

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Listing agent

— 42 W Bells Mill Rd —

Ellen Hass

Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty

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Schools

Schools serving 42 W Bells Mill Rd

School District:Philadelphia City School District

Name	Grades	Distance
Jenks John S School 8301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118	K-8	1.1 mi
Roxborough High School 6498 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128	9-11	2.9 mi

Disclaimer: School attendance boundaries provided by Pitney Bowes and are for reference only. Contact the school directly to verify enrollment eligibility.

Price & Sales History for 42 W Bells Mill Rd

Date

Details

Price

Change

Source

3/28/2025

Sold

$2,550,000

2.2%

MLS

10/10/2024

Listed

$2,495,000

—

MLS

Disclaimer: Historical sales information is derived from public records provided by the county offices. Information is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

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42 W Bells Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118 (MLS# PAPH2400306) is a Single Family property that was sold at $2,550,000 on March 28, 2025. Want to learn more about 42 W Bells Mill Road? Do you have questions about finding other Single Family real estate for sale in Chestnut Hill? You can browse all Chestnut Hill real estate or contact a Coldwell Banker agent to request more information.

42 W Bells Mill Rd Philadelphia, PA 19118