An ornate $2 million Rittenhouse condo once part of a mansion built for a bishop
The Rittenhouse Square mansion was built in 1904 for an Episcopal bishop and later subdivided into 10 condominiums.
Omar Choudhri is a fan of modern architecture. So while house hunting in 2019, he didn’t expect much from a condo listed at Chandler Place. The Rittenhouse Square mansion was built in 1904 for an Episcopal bishop and was later subdivided into 10 condominiums.
But its massive living room was a showstopper, with a heavily beamed and ornately plastered 15-foot ceiling, wood-burning fireplace, wall of original cabinetry with a center bench, and inlaid walnut and mahogany flooring. The rest of the two-bedroom, bi-level unit was just as compelling, with deep windows, additional fireplaces, curved archways, and intricate molding and woodwork throughout.
“I was taken by surprise” by the Victorian-era unit, recalled Choudhri, a Penn Medicine neurosurgeon. “For the first time, I liked traditional elements.”
Choudhri — who is also a fan of transitional architecture, which marries nostalgia and functionality — envisioned interior upgrades, like bathrooms and closets, that would create a home offering modern comfort in a historic setting.
Partnering with designers from Restoration Hardware, he lit the living room with a modern, 72-inch-wide chandelier. Contemporary sofas were low enough to allow an unobstructed view of the 85-inch TV on the original wall separating the room from the galley kitchen. An immense mirror adjacent to the room’s dining area reflected more light onto his collection of large, indigenous Pakistani art, which the room’s high walls easily accommodate.
Each element manages to complement, not compete with, the other, making the space feel inviting to guests who attend Choudhri’s big parties and family gatherings (some featuring live music).
“It sparks conversation,” Choudhri said of the room, which is adjacent to a guest room with its own fireplace and luxurious bathroom.
The primary suite, accessed via a sweeping staircase off the kitchen, is a sanctuary: a serene bedroom with fireplace, cozy office area, walk-in closet with an arched ceiling, and the pièce de résistance — a spa-like bathroom with steam room, Moroccan-motif stone tiling, and gold fixtures.
“I travel a lot, and I like staying in high-end hotels — with luxurious showers and beds — and I wanted my home to feel the same way,” said Choudhri, who has also lived all over the world.
He’s now ready to transition somewhere new. He’ll take his beloved artwork with him, but is open to including his furnishings in the sale of his Chandler Place home. After all, they were selected with each room in mind.
The home is listed by Maureen Reynolds and Justyna A. Goldman at Serhant. Pennsylvania for $2 million.