328 Greenwood Ave

Wyncote, PA 19095

Welcome to wonderful Wyncote!This idyllic suburban community began originally as farmland just 12 miles outside of Philadelphia in the 18th and early 19th centuries. As the railroads began connecting far distant towns in the mid-19th Century, wealthy Philadelphians began constructing estates with easy access to the downtown Philadelphia markets, yet far removed from the crowds & smog of the industrial city. Names like Wanamaker, Curtis, Barker, Hewett & Wharton built grand estates along the banks of the Tookany Creek within easy walking distance to the North Pennsylvania Railroad.Henry K. Walt is one such person that originally purchased a 9 acre tract of land along Greenwood Avenue. He constructed his estate (Bend Terrace) in 1892, high on a hill overlooking formal gardens & ponds, surrounded by a lovely stone wall. Mr. Walt was a successful financier & President of the Jenkintown National Bank. Tucked at the very corner of the estate, he constructed 2 sets of lovely Victorian Tudor Twins, likely to provide housing for the workers who were coming to service all the larger estates.328 Greenwood Avenue was designed by the architectural firm of Heacock & Hokanson and constructed in 1899. My clients have an original photograph of the house just after it was completed! These were very ample properties for workers of the day, offering the same timber & stucco details one finds on the significantly larger estates of the time. With over 2,500SF spread over 3 floors, it remains as beautiful today as when built.The Walt estate was sold, yet the majority of the lands became what is now Robinson Park! This 7-acre park surrounds 328 Greenwood Avenue and provides the most remarkable vistas & privacy (without the taxes!). There is even a community vegetable garden in the park should one wish to become actively involved in the park & community.One enters the property through an opening in the stone walls to a brick driveway ample enough to hold 3 cars. The current owners constructed a 2-tiered patio along the side of the house to maximize the entertaining space & views of the park. A large deck also flanks the rear corner to provide a great space for al-fresco dining and an elevated sightline of the park.In the 1930 s, the front porch was re-constructed & enclosed to provide a great 3-season space. Enter into the foyer, and the original details remain, including a delightful butterfly staircase, scalloped arches between the rooms, crown moldings & the original h/w floors. A highly efficient wood stove was added into the living room and this significantly reduces the overall heating costs for the entire house! The dining room has a large bay window overlooking Robinson Park & two corner built-ins. The kitchen has been completely updated with S/S appliances (including gas cooking!), quartz counters, glass-fronted inset upper cabinets & great southerly exposure with direct access to the rear deck. The basement (while un-finished) has very high ceilings and direct access to the rear yard.Both full bathrooms upstairs have been completely renovated (the 2nd floor bath has radiant floor heating!). The master suite has a total of 5 closets and a small dressing area just outside the bath. Two additional large bedrooms occupy the remainder of the 2nd floor, while 2 more bedrooms (One with a full wall of closets) and the 2nd full bath are on the 3rd floor.The entire roof was just completely replaced in 2018.One cannot describe the convenience of the location, with a park surrounding the house, 3 other parks within walking distance and just a 2-block walk to the Jenkintown SEPTA station with the best scheduled service to downtown Philadelphia. It s a wonderful home, retaining all the best attributes of the architects designs yet fully updated for modern living. a one year 2-10 Home Warranty is being offered to the buyers, providing further peace of mind on this delightful home!