Meticulously Restored 1882 Estate on ‘Highest Point’ in Bryn Mawr Lists for $3.9 Million: ‘A Rare Jewel’

A “rare jewel” of a property that boasts a fascinating lineage dating back to 1882 has been put on the market in the historic Pennsylvania enclave of Bryn Mawr—after undergoing a meticulous restoration to bring it back to its original glory.

Set on what is believed to be the “highest point” in the neighborhood, the historic castle-like estate, which is on the market for $3.89 million offers a rare blend of timeless stone architecture and modern elegance.

Originally known as Fox Hill Farm, the four-bedroom Radnor estate remains a striking fragment of what was once a much larger property—360 acres in 1900 and about 380 acres by 1926, according to the Radnor Historical Society.

But while the property has been scaled down dramatically since those days, now offered with 5 acres, listing agent Lisa Yakulis with Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty, says the plot is still an incredibly rare delight.

“Five acres in Radnor Township is literally impossible to find,” she explains.

Built in 1881 for Rudolph Ellis, who was then the president of Fidelity Trust, the home was designed by architect Theophilus P. Chandler, best known as the founder of the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Architecture.

Later additions to the estate included the gatehouse and surrounding walls as well as extensive landscaping carried out by Paul Oglesby in 1914, which shaped the grounds into what you see today. 

But some, if not all, of the property also reflects the careful attention to detail paid by its current owners. Yakulis describes their restoration as nothing short of painstaking.

“They meticulously restored the entire property, updating the infrastructure including all new systems, a full-property generator, restored plaster, millwork, floors and roof, as well as extensive hardscaping and landscaping by Terren,” she says. 

However, their work wasn’t just about modernization, but about ensuring that every historic detail remained intact.

“The architectural designs here are just incredible,” Yakulis adds. “They were executed back in the late 1800s, and everything was perfectly preserved.”

That sense of lineage is palpable the moment you enter the 6,567 square foot property. A walk-in stone fireplace anchors a great room with its soaring beams, while carefully restored plaster and millwork speak to the original architect’s craftsmanship.

Those traditional touches are married with the home’s more modern features—including a finished basement with a gym and a media room, with a space for an additional bedroom.

Expansion opportunities abound in the gatehouse too, which offers “private living or working spaces with a potential fifth bedroom, full kitchen, and living room,” the listing notes.

The gatehouse, long considered a local landmark, still welcomes visitors to the estate, just as it did a century ago.

Though the acreage has diminished from its original footprint, the setting remains as commanding as ever. From its hilltop perch, the views stretch wide, and the property feels worlds apart from the bustle below.

“When you’re up on that hill, you don’t know anything else is around you,” Yakulis says.

Little would you know that several top-ranked Radnor schools, Bryn Mawr village, and Center City Philadelphia are all just minutes away.

The landscape also reflects the same balance of history and renewal. Terren’s hardscaping and plantings build upon Oglesby’s early vision, creating a series of outdoor rooms that include stone terraces, winding paths, and quiet garden corners.

“The owners invested in the land as much as the structures,” says Yakulis.

For buyers, the appeal lies not only in the scale of the property but also in its pedigree. That’s because this Bryn Mawr estate is more than just a house—it’s an enduring monument to history, and the art of preservation.