8840 Towanda St

Philadelphia, PA 19118

Presenting one of Chestnut Hill s premiere estates. La Primavera: the name evokes a light and happy aura spring. Robert McGoodwin s design for the idyllic site on the edge of the park reminds a viewer of an Italian hillside villa, but only when viewed from behind. From the street, a protected court shows only a discreet arched entry door and a simple rusticity with only a hint of Italian precedents. This Italianate country house sits on app3.28 acres of land with the most beautiful views of the Wissahickon Valley and Fairmount Park. With its tall trees and open tiered lawns, superbly built stone walls, multiple terraces and low maintenance planting it is an idyllic setting for any house. Meticulously maintained during their ownership, these Sellers are proud of keeping this property up to the standard that it deserves. The grounds, the trees, the pool, the tennis court, the cottage, and the systems have been painstakingly overseen over the years and it shows! This is in many ways a perfect sized house with two floors of living space, yet room for home office, storage, hobbies, and relaxation.The front cobblestone courtyard welcomes you with a newly refurbished landscape plan by Elise Geyelin. The double door entrance with arched window above opens to a lovely entrance hall with a limestone floor. The entrance to the grand formal Living Room with fireplace and three sets of French doors draw you to the spectacular green woodland view beyond. The first floor plan is balanced with a stunning Library with built-in bookshelves, fireplace, parquet floor and exquisite original detail. On the other side of the Living Room is a similar sized Dining Room, also with fireplace. Both of these rooms extend out to two separate Sun Porch Rooms which take in the dramatic views of Fairmount Park. There are all the additional spaces one needs for comfortable living including the powder room, large mud room, multiple closets, and Pantry with original glass cabinetry and every amenity which add to this perfect first floor layout. But the heart of the home is truly the Kitchen. With its four exposures, it is constantly filled with exceptional light and cheeriness from sunrise to sunset. Custom built cabinetry, granite counters, and every appliance possible including a Viking commercial six burner gas range with double ovens and hood, SubZero refrigerator/freezer, two sinks and additional wall ovens and microwave. All are in an open setting with a large comfortable Family Room. The layout of the first floor is perfect for small, medium and large scale dinner parties and entertaining. The house embraces entertaining with its intimate areas and flow.The second floor has five main bedrooms, two are suites with fireplaces, dressing rooms and their own bathrooms. All bedrooms have finished hardwood floors beneath the carpeting, summer doors and ceiling fans for warm summer nights. The Guest room wing which holds the fifth bedroom, also has a bathroom, sitting room and a laundry room. Over the garage is an apartment with a separate entrance with a Kitchen, Bedroom and Bath. Below the apartment is a three car heated garage. With two floors of generous sized rooms, the third floor has only attic storage, a cedar closet and air conditioning duct work. The basement has a finished Rec Room, a Ping Pong Room and unfinished areas of Potting/Plant room, Workshop, and storage. It is the perfect area for hobbies and gardening with easy walk out access to the outside. The grounds speak for themselves. They are immaculate and mirror the loveliness of the surrounding woods and Fairmount Park. It is hard to believe that all of this is within walking distance to the shops, galleries, farmer's market and restaurants of Chestnut Hill, as well as Fairmount Park and the train to Center City. There are very few places in the country that could offer this kind of convenience and comfortable style of living in such a luxurious setting.