Bleecker Hall, a historic 1870s mansion in West Chester, recently underwent a long renovation to balance history with functionality, writes Eileen Smith Dallabrida for The Hunt Magazine.
Property owners Patrick and Dava Murray collaborated with interior design firm Holley Alley to overhaul the 7,500 square foot home. In the grand reimagining, the team hoped to build a modern, family-friendly interior while maintaining the home’s vintage charm.
In the 24-month process, the historic estate saw a new parlor, a modernized kitchen, a rolling library ladder, an expanded entry hall, and larger bathrooms, to name just a few additions. The expansion also included adding the property’s back apartment to the main building.
In curating furniture, the team prioritized salvaged materials and Pennsylvania artists to keep Bleecker Hall a truly local gem. 93 percent of furnishings came from American manufacturers, including 34 pieces from Pennsylvania businesses.
The cabinetry was built in New Holland by Bluebell Fine Cabinetry & Design. The dining table was also made nearby in Lancaster County.
As for reusing materials, the team used salvaged serpentine stone in redoing the garage. They also kept the original floorboards to work into the new kitchen.
The Bleecker Hall redesign went beyond the Murray’s personal joy about their new home. The history-conscious process earned the project a Historic Preservation Award from the West Chester Downtown Foundation to honor this piece of Chester County history.
Read more about Bleecker Hall and the West Chester mansion’s recent renovation in The Hunt Magazine.
_____
