1404 Ashbourne Road is a classic 19th century, late-Victorian Elkins Park stone home. The architectural details include pedimented gables, an octagonal dormer, a faceted (partially slate, partially patterned wood shingle) roof with wood shingle cladding, that is accentuated with leaded glass windows. Many large additional windows are accented with rounded-arch lintels and arched transom windows. The exterior of the home is graced with a three-sided, semi-enclosed, wrap-around porch with a porte-cochere extension entry. The semi-circular driveway loops across the front of the house (with an extension under the porte-cochere which permits home entry with protection from rain and snow) and then leads to the separate carriage house.The interior of this home is largely original, in keeping with its historical status. Grand foyer entry includes high ceilings, an elegant stairwell, a priceless chandelier (rescued from a South Philadelphia temple that was being re-purposed), functional pocket doors leading to a library (with solid oak shelving), a gracious living room, and a dining room that reminds the visitor of elegant and lively entertaining. Twelve-foot (12~) ceilings and original hardwood floors recall a sense of wealth, luxury and history. Exquisite light fixtures and solid wood panels abound. The kitchen has been renovated with durable/sustainable hardstone countertops,Brazilian hardwood flooring, a 5-burner Bosch gas stove, double sink and large capacity birch cabinets. The entire home is served by a central vacuum system that extends to the 3rd floor.The 6 bedrooms are large, and light-filled. A Master Bedroom ~Suite~ has an attached dressing room with a vast amount of closet space. The upper-most level of this home offers a ~studio~ space that is a ~wish-list~ opportunity for an artist, crafts designer, exercise gym, or media theater. The house is served with a ground-floor powder room and 3 additional full bathrooms.1404 Ashbourne has extraordinary outdoor features, as well. The gardens on this 1.07 acre parcel have been painstakingly kept and include 2 large red maples, and other rare and unusual trees that include Franklinia, Dawn Redwood, a specimen Hemlock, Ash trees, Lilly of the Valley, and American and Korean Dogwood Trees. The current owners of the property have cultivated a love for all things horticultural by adding 2 fully equipped (all-season) greenhouses where-in they have propagated world-class floral specimens. One of the greenhouses is attached to the home, the other is free-standing. This extraordinary endeavor has been extended into the basement which can be easily accessed from outside through Bilco basement doors. The basement is dry and has been adapted as a dedicated garden-workshop/tool shop/work space.William Dobbins lived in this home starting in about 1897.The property was surrounded by ~Ellerslie,~ the large estate owned by William~s father, builder Richard Dobbins, one of Philadelphia~s most prominent builders who developed much of the area around the Ashbourne Railroad Station constructed in 1856. Today, this home combines 18th century style with 21st century living, offering easy access to major hospitals/ medical centers, universities, cultural centers, restaurants, gyms, the best in private and public schools, libraries, and great access to public transportation (rail and bus), with Elkins Park Train Station within easy walking distance. Whether shopping for a home or simply interested in this unique and diverse Elkins Park community, please stop by to see this historically significant home. You will be delighted! 2019-06-21
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