On the Market: Room for two grand pianos and a recital space in West Mount Airy
On the Market profiles homes for sale in the Philadelphia region.
Marja Kaisla had already been living in West Mount Airy for three years when she saw her dream home on Pelham Road.
"I saw the house and said 'that's it, that's the home where I want to live,'" she said.
Kaisla marched up to the home – which was occupied and not for sale at the time – and began negotiating.
"One thing led to another," she said. "Eventually when [the owner] let me into the house, I took literally three steps into the central hall and I said I knew this was my home."
Six months later, she was moving in.
Kaisla, who is a concert pianist, had been looking for a home where she could practice, record and teach her music as well as give performances. Today her piano room accommodates two grand pianos and seats up to 70 people.
The rest of the nearly 8,000 square-foot mansion is perfect for entertainment, out-of-town guests, and even multi-generational living. "The possibilities seem limitless," adds Kaisla.
Apart from the performance space, Kaisla said her favorite room in the home is the billiards room, which features a pool table and sauna.
"It's so hard to pick," she said. "Everything is just magnificent and beautiful."
The six-bedroom property sits on an acre of land and features a wraparound porch and a private horseshoe driveway. Inside, stained glass and mahogany finishes allude to the home's nearly 120-year history.
"It's just one warm, beautiful space after another," Kaisla said.
With a busy concert schedule, she said that it's time to let someone else steward the estate.
"I feel that it's time for someone else to sort of take over," she said. "And continue to share the house with many, many people."
The home is currently on the market for $1,099,000 with realtor Christopher Plant at Elfant Wissahickon.
"Home ideally should not be a commodity, but a part of your identity," Kaisla said. "I hope that I can find a likeminded new owner."