615 W Hartwell Ln

Philadelphia, PA 19118

Extraordinary and iconic mid-century modern home , built in the International Style in 1958-59, and designed by the firm of Montgomery and Bishop - Architects. Listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2011 (p.76 of 259), this "glass" house epitomizes the philosophy of "organic architecture" in which structures were designed in harmony with nature. One of the home's architects, Robert F. Bishop, worked with Frank Loyd Wright at Taliesen in the 30's. The house is sited below the road into a hillside in the front and cantilevered in the back over a stream. Seen from the drone footage, the house consists of three large rectangular spaces: the main living area, the family bedrooms, and, originally, a third wing designed as a mother-in-law suite. The two family areas are joined by a long corridor with floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows, looking out over the creek and the adjacent hillside. From the front entrance, which is recessed between two wings, the house opens to a light-filled, slate floored entryway, separated from the living room by a floating rectangle that houses three closets. Turning left, from the foyer, you enter a wing comprised of four bedrooms and two full baths. One of the baths is a jack-n-jill. The other is accessed from the hallway. Turning right out of the foyer, you enter the main family living space with grand, high-ceilinged living room; an open kitchen; and adjoining dining room. The originally designed "mother-in-law suite" now serves as the master wing, made up of a serene living room with second wood-burning fireplace, the master bedroom, master bath, dressing room, and private office area. There are two staircases to the lower level which offers more desirable and flexible living space. One comes off the master wing and enters into a studio space, currently used for music. From the music room, you walk into a lounge and exercise area equal to a five-star spa. A series french doors give you easy access to the outdoors from the lower level. A beautiful laundry room, a capacious "work room" , two more bedrooms and two more baths complete the lower level. The accompanying photos hardly capture the beautiful outside space, but, certainly words won't accomplish it.