House of the week: A historic two-bedroom Trinity near Rittenhouse Square for $649,999

The two-bedroom Trinity near Rittenhouse Square dates back to 1850, but co-owner Noelle Smith said that “very few homes in the city look like this.”

She and her husband, Todd Bouchard, were intrigued by the blend of Spanish and Italian influences in the house, part of the eight-home Sansom Gardens cluster that shares a courtyard along a brick path.

The complete 1922 renovation by architect William F. B. Koelle features Juliet balconies and arched doorways, and the homes in the cluster are listed on the city’s historic register.

Smith and Bouchard had been living in University City when they bought the house in 2021 after considering another home in the cluster.

While their previous house had been new construction, Smith said the switch to a historic home was very appealing.

But they and their two small dogs, Rafi and Tucker, are moving to South Jersey for easier access to New York City, where they have an apartment and Smith is studying for her MBA. The move will also maintain Bouchard’s easy commute to Philadelphia and around South Jersey as a realtor. Previously, Smith was a management consultant.

Smith calls Sansom Gardens “kind of a community living situation,” and a tight-knit community.

And while the couple did some interior renovation to the 1,080-square-foot home, including a new kitchen, “You don’t want to strip away the character,” Bouchard said.

While the current layout has the kitchen on the first floor and living room on the second, the second floor could provide an additional bedroom, an entertainment space, or office. It has a full bath with a claw-foot tub and Juliet balcony.

The primary bedroom is on the third floor, with an en suite bathroom.

There is a fully-finished basement with a half bath.

The home is in the Greenfield School catchment area.

It is listed by Bouchard, of Compass Realty, for $649,999.