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This strikingly original modern house evokes the spirit of the 19th century barns that you will find scattered throughout the land of Brandywine. And inside, you’ll even find Brandywine Creek.
This farm appears to have reused the ruins of a 19th century bank barn, but it does not. Everything is a quarter of a century old, totally modern and located at 220 Hunting Hill Lane, West Chester, PA 19382 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors
When I first looked at the aerial photo of this West Chester horse farm, I thought to myself, ‘Why hasn’t the Preservation Alliance given this place an award for excellence? “
Then I started going through the other photos on this list and realized that this wasn’t adaptive reuse at all.
What I was looking at was a totally modern West Chester farmhouse for sale, but still capturing the spirit of those old bank barns that can be found all over the Brandywine Valley.
As it should be, as this spectacular and sophisticated house overlooks the general area where the Battle of Brandywine was fought in 1777, including the roads used by General William Howe’s troops to outflank the American forces of General George Washington.
Aerial view from the back
Take the tour. Pay attention to the clearance between topiary hedges and stone and stucco walls and cornices. Notice the play of shapes and voids. It is not a house, it is a work of sculpture.
But it is sculpture that is designed to live.
Foyer
This should become evident the moment you step into its foyer lit by a two-story skylight. Bulky spaces like this and lots of glass give the ground floor a feeling of openness, while the placement of the walls and variations in ceiling heights make some of its spaces very intimate.
Salon
View of living room from balcony above showing rug with Brandywine Creek printed on it
The living room combines these two qualities. It also pays an unusual tribute to its setting with its carpet whose pattern follows the course of the Brandywine stream.
Dining room
You also get a wonderful view of the rolling countryside from the dining room looking out its wraparound arched window. According to the listing, the flooring in this room is from the 1906 Sears Building in Chicago.
The dining room
The windows of the two story family room offer an equally attractive view of the countryside and the pool and patio of the house. Its fireplace uses modern materials to produce a traditional look.
Family room bar
The family room bar has direct access to the kitchen behind.
Dining kitchen
This kitchen includes both bespoke and imported Italian cabinetry in its workspace and dining area.
Home office
And finally, the home office on the ground floor, beyond the living room, is entirely traditional in its woodwork and fireplace mantle.
Master bedroom fireplace
The master bedroom is located directly above the dining room. Its bow window surrounds the bed and has automatically adjustable blinds that you can gradually open to let in the morning sun.
Main bathroom
It also has a private balcony, a spacious living area with a fireplace, and above it is a cathedral ceiling loft that inspires meditation and contemplation.
Two other bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom and balcony, and the guest bedroom above the office has its own fireplace.
Gym
Overlooking the pool and patio at the end of the second floor of the garage wing is a spacious gym and steam room. And 20 feet underground, in the basement, you’ll find a temperature-controlled wine cellar by nature.
Pool
Back patio and pool
A modern colonnade frames the swimming pool.
Horse boxes in the barn
And in addition to a three-car garage, you’ll find three more garage spaces for your gear in the bank barn. The barn also has 10 horse boxes and a hayloft with direct access from the outside.
So here we have a very urban and very modern house that takes its hat off to its historic surroundings and gives you amazing views. And there is also a working horse farm! I would definitely be ready for this if I was the horse type.
THE FINE PRINTING
BEDS: 4
THERMAL: 4 full, 1 half
SQUARE FEET: 8,538
SELLING PRICE: $ 2,450,000
220 Hunting Hill Lane, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 [Holly Gross | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]
