Off the Market: 807 St. George's Road

This great stone house on St. George's Road in Roland Park never even made it to market before it was sold!

So sorry that there aren't more images of this terrific house!

A Visit to 5504!

I was fortunate to be invited to visit friends for lunch last week and it was an amazing experience. I first mentioned 5504 here, in 2023. 

The house is rather simple from the exterior, built in stone, with lovely details around the front entrance, both from the inside and the outside. 

When I asked the homeowner who had done all of the painting, he told me "Happy Hands at Home" which took me a minute to understand that they had done all of the work themselves!

The house is filled with beautiful artwork, gorgeous furnishings and incredible musical instruments. 

I loved the murals in the dining room, which were framed by silver leafing.

But honestly, it was the painted ceilings in the house that blew my mind.

Thanks so much to my friends for a delightful afternoon!

On the Market: 3305 Bancroft Road

Bancroft Road is just a few blocks long, starting (or finishing) at Cross Country Boulevard. The house at 3305 Bancroft Road is currently on the market with a price cut of $210,000, bringing the price down to $990,000. 

This house is similar to ones in Guilford, with features including the downspouts as a design element framing the front.  Sadly, the house has been "rode hard and put away wet" as they say. 

The interior is pretty ghastly, and we counted 16 beds! In order to fit all of those beds, there are bedrooms everywhere. 

And oddly, the terrace off the second floor is listed as a theatre.

I am very curious as to whether this house was something other than a family home. It's devoid of any decoration or personal items, and they certainly haven't staged it to sell. 

Fortunately, many of the original details remain, especially in the bathrooms, including the below-grade tub!

And what looks like the original deco-style railings. 

Honestly, the rest of the house is fairly dire. Take a look for yourself and hope that whoever buys it restores it to its original elegance.

The listing is here. 

Also, this is what the listing says:

***MAJOR PRICE REDUCTION FOR QUICK SALE! ***Rare opportunity to own a grand stone Colonial in Baltimore’s historic Bancroft Park neighborhood. Situated on a 2/3 acre lot , this elegant home offers timeless architectural charm, spacious living, and exceptional privacy. Features include 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a finished lower level, garage, fireplaces, a huge sunroom and a large private porch. Located on a quiet, tree-lined street among distinguished custom (what???) homes known for their oversized lots and established community charm. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind house!

Howard Head's House

The late Howard Head's house on Blythewood road was last on the market in 2023 for $3.17 million, and just sold in June of 2026 for $3.9 million. 

Below is the Fishbowl article I wrote about the house in 2023. At the end of the piece are some notes the architect David Gleason sent me about some revisions that were done on the house in the 1970s.

What: In the olden days, tennis racquets and skis were both made out of wood. Then aircraft engineer, Howard Head, came along and changed these sports as we knew them. He re-designed skis and the over-sized Prince tennis racquet and made them out of laminated woods and metals.  

The Head’s house at 21 Blythewood Road looks contemporary, but the property was purchased in 1925, and the house was built and occupied by February of 1926. There is no architect of record, but knowing them as I do, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a Palmer & Lamdin design.

The house is deceptively small from the road, but expands to more than 9,000 square feet. While some of the traditional details remain, the Heads updated, modernized and expanded this house which you enter the house through a walled courtyard and then into a traditional wainscoted hallway.

The house opens up to window-walled rooms with a view over the back gardens, pool and the Stony Run woods beyond. The living room features a large traditional fireplace, paneled rooms, and the window wall. The huge modern kitchen, designed by Trish Houck, has a large island, a large seating area, and built-in cabinet to display your china collections. The traditional dining room, with its marble fireplace surround, classic mill-work and trim, parquet floors, and window wall, is adjacent to the kitchen. A wood-paneled study, beautiful powder room and family room complete the first floor.

The large hall on the second floor is centered around a seating area which overlooks the main staircase and the entry hall. The main bedroom suite contains a large window wall with a balcony which overlooks the koi pond below. Also in the main suite are a large walk-in closet, a heated floor and a double, cantilevered vanity. There are additional en-suite bedrooms, one of which has a fireplace.

The two-acre property features a swimming pool, a hot tub, a built in teak bar, a two-tier, 11,000 gallon koi pond, and of course, a tennis court. The plantings on the grounds are considerate of both the parkland surrounding the property and are lit to enhance the landscaping. Additionally, there are stone walls, a man-made stream and waterfall and woodland gardens.

Where: This house is on Blythewood Road, which winds from Charles Street around to Wyndhurst Avenue. It backs up to Stony Run Park, with its trails and wildlife, which is prefect for long walks. It’s close to all of the amenities on Roland Avenue, including restaurants, schools, and the library.

Final Appraisal: Blythewood is one of the most beautiful streets in Baltimore, with a range of house styles, and gorgeous old landscaping. This house would suit an active family who love swimming and tennis. It’s a traditional house which has been tastefully and thoughtfully modernized while keeping some of its classical elements. The listing for the house is here. 

From David Gleason, FAIA:

I saw where Howard Head’s house at 21 Blythewood sold for $3,900,000.00 in June. I read the write up in the Baltimore Business Journal that credited Head with all the updates and modernization that he did when he moved into the house in the early 1970’s. I also read your Hot House piece in the Fishbowl that was published in April which again cited the alterations and addition with no mention of any other party than Head being involved in the modifications. I would like to infill in the gaps as to where the credit for the improvements should also be listed.

 

I worked for Peterson and Brickbauer from 1969 to 1971 and it was they who served as architects for the project with Head giving them direction. They were responsible for the design of the Garage/Studio built at the front of the house, laying out the terraces, swimming pool, and tennis court areas. They were instrumental in the impeccable detailing of the house. In addition, they worked closely with the well-known landscaped architect, Kurt Blummel, in organizing the terrace water features well as the general landscaping of the house and grounds. In all, it was a wonderful example of the Architect, Client and Landscape Architect working to transform a 1920’s eclectic house into one of the premier residences in Baltimore. For me, just staring on my architectural career, it was a tremendous learning opportunity seeing this talented and experienced team transform this undistinguished residence into a landmark of architectural distinction.  

Guilford Today (1914) Sun Articles

The incredible Baltimore historian, Fred Shoken, just posted some great photos on the Baltimore Old Photos page on Facebook. They come from full page spreads in the Baltimore Sun this week of July in 1914. I have highlighted the Edward Palmer projects in GREEN.  

5310 St. Albans Way

Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Palmer & Lambdin [sic], this attractive stone residence occupies a beautifully landscaped double corner lot in the heart of Homeland, offering exceptional space and timeless architectural character. 

People in the neighborhood refer to this property as “The Forsythia House” because of the colorful blooms in the spring. The thoughtfully designed interior features a unique multi-level floor plan that creates both visual interest and functional living spaces.

The upper levels offer four bedrooms, three full baths, and a private office, providing flexibility for today’s lifestyle needs.

The main living areas include a remodeled kitchen with an island, custom cabinetry that was designed and built by Amish craftsmen, a fiveburner Thermador cooktop, double ovens and plenty of additional storage and prep space.

In addition, there is a spacious dining room ideal for entertaining as well as an impressive 24 foot living room highlighted by a wood-burning fireplace. A bright sunroom with a wet bar and adjacent powder room extends the living space and provides the perfect setting for gatherings.

The lower level features a comfortable clubroom, an additional half bath, and a dedicated laundry room. Outdoor entertaining is effortless on the two-tiered stone patio, complete with two awnings and overlooking a picturesque, park-like landscape.

With energy efficiency increasingly important, the seller thoughtfully enhanced the home’s existing hot water radiator system by creating eight separate heating zones, allowing for greater comfort and control throughout the residence.

Additional amenities include an attached one-car garage with interior access and a highly desirable location within walking distance of several area schools and the six decorative Homeland lakes. 

A rare opportunity to own an architecturally significant Homeland home that seamlessly blends historic character, thoughtful updates, and exceptional outdoor living.  

It's always a good thing when the floor plans are included!  Link here

101 Witherspoon Road

This architecturally unique stone home, designed by the renowned Palmer Lamdin Architects and built in 1928, offers a rare blend of timeless craftsmanship and modern luxury.

With an expansive square footage and gracious room sizes, the home sits on an unusually large lot, spanning over half an acre, providing plenty of living space plus outdoor enjoyment.

Boasting five true bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half baths, this residence offers the perfect balance of comfort and functionality. The home has undergone incredible renovations, with every bathroom beautifully redone, a stunning primary closet, and thoughtfully redesigned main living areas.

These enhancements seamlessly combine historic charm with contemporary style.

Step outside to experience a tranquil setting perfect for entertaining, where you can dine al fresco under the stone loggia while listening to the majestic bells of the Cathedral in the distance.

The outdoor space, combined with the home’s graceful interior, creates a harmonious atmosphere for both relaxation and entertaining.

Modern conveniences abound, including an attached garage accessible from the interior, a large driveway, a practical mudroom, two laundry rooms, and a finished basement.

This residence not only preserves the character of its original design but also caters to today’s needs, making it an extraordinary home for those who appreciate both history and modern luxury.

The listing is here.