About 228 Church Rd
Architectural Elegance Meets Artistic Inspiration
Discover a rare retreat where architectural innovation, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, blends seamlessly with modern luxury and artistic vision. This custom-designed mid-century residence, crafted by architect Walter J. Magill, offers an extraordinary fusion of design sophistication, creative energy, and purposeful functionality.
Today, the home serves as much more than a residence. It is a vibrant sanctuary for internationally acclaimed artists and creative communities from New York City and Philadelphia. Functioning as a home, event venue, professional art gallery, and broadcast-quality recording studio, the property provides a dynamic and inspiring environment. The expansive wall space is ideal for curators, collectors, and visual artists to showcase large-scale works, making this a truly expressive and versatile setting.
From the moment you enter, you’re immersed in thoughtful architectural detailing: a sunken living room with soaring 20-foot ceilings, two beveled fireplace walls that dramatize vertical space, graceful archways, a sculptural rounded centerpiece column, and custom curved walls upstairs that evoke the home’s fluid, almost liquid architectural flow. These elements are grounded by hand-selected Brazilian teak wood floors, prized for their resilience and beauty, and framed by exposed high-contrast ceiling beams for an added artistic edge.
The gourmet kitchen is equally impressive—both a culinary workspace and a performance-ready stage. It’s outfitted with professional-grade appliances, including a Thermador microwave, a Dacor stove, and a professional series KitchenAid double oven and dishwasher. The kitchen has hosted art auctions, private concerts, and notable fundraising chef-table experiences. The Samsung's interchangeable color-paneled fridge (extra sets included), paired with Murano glass handles from a Venetian artisan collection, and remote-controlled kitchen blinds to fine-tune natural light and privacy.
The open-concept main level is filled with natural light, enhanced by top-of-the-line Bali blinds with versatile top-down/bottom-up functionality. Upstairs, you’ll find four spacious bedrooms plus a dedicated laundry. The primary bedroom offers exceptional storage with two large walk-in closets and an additional floor-to-ceiling 8-foot-long mirrored closet. Two of the other bedrooms also feature mirrored closet doors, expanding light and visual space.
Other interior highlights include three modern gas fireplaces, a refinished yellow whirlpool tub designed for multi-person use, electronic Mitsubishi split systems in all bedrooms, the kitchen/dining area, and the music studio, as well as a two-zone central HVAC system and full wall insulation for low utility costs and customizable comfort.
The walk-out basement is a creative haven like no other, featuring a fully insulated, broadcast-quality music recording studio, a professional art gallery with museum-grade lighting, and a private guest or in-law suite with a full kitchen, bath, and living space. It includes two separate entrances and access via a circular driveway that accommodates up to eight cars.
Outdoor living is equally versatile, with two thoughtfully designed patios. A cozy elevated patio off the living room is perfect for quiet mornings or evening unwinding, while a spacious garden-level patio is ideal for cookouts, gatherings, and open-air dining. Complemented by Italian-inspired lawn lighting on a timer, the exterior ambiance transitions beautifully into evening. The driveway was repaved in 2023, and the property also includes a substantial barn with endless potential—as a studio, gallery, performance space, or workshop.
The prime location is just a 10-minute walk to the train station, with only two stops to Center City, a 10-minute drive to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Target and only a 5-minute walk to a newly developed creekside walking and biking trail.
