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On the Market: Family home with generations of renovation in Northern Liberties

Living in Northern Liberties so long, Geraldine Swindells has witnessed changes firsthand. "The neighborhood is very trendy with new restaurants and stores," she said.

Melissa Razler

Geraldine Swindells grew up on Bodine Street in Philadelphia and has spent much of her life on its 700 block.

"My parents moved onto that block of Bodine Street in 1938 when I was 2 years old," she said via email. "We lived in an authentic trinity house until 1947 when we moved to 718."

Her parents raised six children in the three-bedroom home, where Swindells lived until marrying and moving to Mayfair. She and her brothers inherited the home, where she returned after buying out their portions.

She estimates the home to be about 200 years old and said it was converted to a single residence between 1920 and 1930. As a result, she's done a lot of updating.

"I had a fair amount of work done to the house, such as upgrading it on every floor," she said.

The 1,260-square-foot home once had only one bathroom but now features two full baths and a powder room. Swindells also added storage in the dining room and updated the kitchen.

"I had a lot of modernizing done to the house, being careful not to ruin the original charm," she said.

The kitchen now features stainless steel appliances and counters in granite and butcher block. Swindells also updated windows and added central air, hardwood floors, and a security system.

She said the dining room storage has been one of her favorite parts of the home. "I had built-in closets installed, and it contains much of my collected art work."

Living in Northern Liberties so long, Swindells has witnessed changes firsthand. "The neighborhood is very trendy with new restaurants and stores," she said.

After spending so much of her life on Bodine Street, Swindells said it's time to list her family home for sale as she prepared to move to a retirement community in Center City.

"My experience growing up in that neighborhood is one that I will never forget," she said.

The home is listed by David Leipert at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Prime Real Estate for $399,000.

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