Description

The original Darlington house (Darlington street in West Chester), built in 1761 and thoughtfully refined in 1950 and 1997, this classic stone farmhouse perfectly balances the gravity of history with the grace of modern comfort. Originally a land grant to the Darlingtons from William Penn, only two families have owned this property. Inside, the home unfolds with grand-scale rooms featuring original woodwork and period features. The current 6-bedroom layout offers incredible flexibility, including a sprawling primary suite that could easily be re-imagined into four separate bedrooms—creating a 9-bedroom home for the ultimate family compound or guest retreat. The first floor has a modern kitchen is warm and welcoming, with freshly refinished floors, beautiful wood cabinets, skylights and banks of windows in the dining area plus a huge dining room, living room, family room, mudroom and powder room. The second floor boasts three large bedrooms including a primary has two huge rooms separated by a large pocket-door, a closet big enough to be a bedroom, a flex room (office/ nursery/ second huge closet), private stairs, and a full bath with a clawfoot tub. Moving up to the third floor you have another three bedrooms and a full bathroom, perfect for a kids-only space, office, storage, or just space to expand to when needed. Heritage details abound from the authentic root cellar, intricate metalwork on the doors and exterior lights, two fireplaces, and deep-set windows. Plus you get modern amenities like pure drinking water provided by a dedicated distiller, four-zone central air (high velocity system), public water and sewer, and a new metal roof. With an incredible number of rooms, all sizeable enough to allow you to spread out and arrange yourself in any number of ways, there is no concern about everyone fitting and having their own space. Whether you want nooks to escape to or large areas for gathering and entertaining, this home has it all. Plus there is more storage than you will know what to do with, with a detached garage, full dry basement, large third floor with dual staircases, and closets galore!

The grounds provide the backbone to create your dream garden. Just off the kitchen is a matching historic stone smokehouse leading to stone walls draped in fragrant wisteria. Make this your sanctuary featuring a mini orchard of apple, cherry, plum, fig, and native paw paw trees. Perhaps the most intriguing feature is the original ice house foundation—a 20-foot diameter and deep circular stone well that serves as a stunning architectural focal point. This could be incorporated into a redesign of that portion of the property as the driveway could be moved to Raspberry Lane. All of this just outside West Chester borough, a quick hop to dining, entertainment, and shopping and an easy drive into Philadelphia or Wilmington.

For those seeking a true multi-generational estate, a second residence on the adjoining parcel is available exclusively with the main home for an additional $750,000. 525 Raspberry Lane is a 2,400 SF 3 bedroom/2 bath carriage house featuring a soaring great room with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, a massive three-season room, fenced-in yard, and gorgeous gardens. This house is currently rented, please do not disturb tenants. Pictures with furniture are virtually staged which may have altered room features.Please note that half of the fenced in yard for 525 Raspberry lane is part of this property, the fence can be moved to the correct property line before settlement.