Photo of 3 E Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia PA
     
3 E Chestnut Hill Avenue
Chestnut Hill
Philadelphia, PA 19118
19118 Chestnut Hill
The School District Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia County
Asking Price$2,000,000
Bedrooms3
Full Baths3
Partial Baths2
Acres0.51
Interior SqFt3,780
Age96
HeatingNatural Gas
Cooling 
WaterPublic
SewerPublic
Garages0
Taxes (2025)7,201

Description
Rich with original charm and architectural detail, this historic “Top of the Hill” gem is ready for its next chapter. Properties of this caliber, in this location, with this much character and potential do not come along often. This rare opportunity includes two (2) parcels known as “3 and 5 East Chestnut Hill Avenue.” Set on a beautiful 0.51 acre corner lot, they are just steps away from the charming shops and neighborhood restaurants on the Avenue. Two train lines into center city and the hiking trails of the Wissahickon are a few blocks away making everything walkable. Known as Philadelphia’s “Garden District,” Chestnut Hill is included in the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes the Stagecoach Theater, the Morris Arboretum and two Woodmere museums, and has its own Conservancy, community association, and public library. The district hosts dozens of street fairs and community events all year long 3 East Chestnut Hill Avenue is currently an empty lot zoned for a single-family home and a detached garage. A buyer could keep this lot as open space, build a large, single-family home to sell or rent, or perhaps build a smaller home for use by extended family or as a personal studio. A purchaser of this property has options; they can choose to build a home of their own design or utilize the city-approved plans developed by the seller in conjunction with a premier local design-build firm. This is a dig-ready project with two completed home designs of varying square footage. Both designs include a detached garage and off-street parking that lead into a large open kitchen with mudroom, Butler’s Pantry and custom hutch with coffee bar. 5 East Chestnut Hill Avenue contains the original mansion, an architectural favorite in Chestnut Hill. It is beloved for its stunning curb appeal, soaring windows, pretty 3rd-floor reliefs and spectacular roof line. Built in 1865 of Wissahickon schist, it is often referred to as the Samuel Austin house after the developer responsible for building many of the Italianate-style buildings nearby. The house was designed to overlook the prestigious corner of Germantown and Chestnut Hill Avenues, and the third floor of the home still offers sweeping views of surrounding towns and valleys. It was formerly owned by renowned architect Norman Hulme, and Chestnut Hill Academy founder Joshua Owen. Over the years it has served as a suite of physician’s offices and then residential apartments until its last sale in 2022. The purchaser of this property could restore this impressive the home using their own designs or utilize the city-approved plans developed by the seller and a local design-build team. The elegant yet family-centric home design includes an entry level a 2-car garage, a deVOL-inspired English kitchen and Butler’s Pantry, an indulgent primary suite, and a 300 sqft veranda off the second level. Theres also a bonus room with a “Speakeasy” entry that will make a great theater, fitness studio, wine cellar, or even a guest bedroom with a kitchenette. This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercial or residential buyer to bring new life to a historic Chestnut Hill gem. The properties are ready for a buyer who appreciates history, character, and the rare chance to create a dream residence in an unbeatable location. Completed and approved floor plans, elevations, renderings, material design options, construction documents, land surveys, land studies, permits and variances related to this work are all available upon request

Room Sizes
Dining Room  x   Main Level
Kitchen  x   Main Level
Storage Room  x   Lower Level
Rec Room  x   Lower Level
Office  x   Upper Level
Laundry  x   Lower Level
Master Bed  x   Upper Level
Bedroom 2  x   Upper Level
Bedroom 3  x   Upper Level
Primary Bath  x   Upper Level
Mud Room  x   Lower Level
Half Bath  x   Main Level

Location


Driving Directions
Corner of Germantown and East Chestnut Hill Ave

Details
Architectural Type - Victorian
Basement - Unfinished, Concrete Perimeter
Rooms List - Dining Room, Primary Bedroom, Bedroom 2, Bedroom 3, Kitchen, Breakfast Room, Great Room, Laundry, Mud Room, Office, Recreation Room, Storage Room, Bathroom 2, Bathroom 3, Primary Bathroom, Half Bath
Lot Features - Front Yard, Rear Yard, SideYard(s)
Exterior Features - Street Lights, Sidewalks, Porch(es), Masonry
Hot Water - Natural Gas
Sewer - Public Sewer
Water - Public

Notes
Page: © 2026 EveryHome, Realtors, All Rights Reserved.
Data: © 2026 TREND, All Rights Reserved.
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the TREND Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which EveryHome participates, and is provided by TREND through a licensing agreement.
Presentation: © 2026 EveryHome, Realtors, All Rights Reserved. EveryHome is licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission - License RB066839
Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than EveryHome are marked with the IDX icon and detailed information about each listing includes the name of the listing broker.
The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Some properties which appear for sale on this website may no longer be available because they are under contract, have sold or are no longer being offered for sale.
Some real estate firms do not participate in IDX and their listings do not appear on this website. Some properties listed with participating firms do not appear on this website at the request of the seller. For information on those properties withheld from the internet, please call 215-699-5555

Assessment : 514500
Latitude : 40.078410
Longitude : -75.210680
EveryHome Number : APH262-60515
Listing Courtesy KW Main Line - Narberth
Zoning Designation RSD3