The Gables, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Gables is nestled in the middle of Philadelphia in a section known as University City. This is a residential community developed around the turn of the last century. It boasts an eclectic grouping of Victorian homes and Edwardian townhouses. The University of Pennsylvania, The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and Drexel University are all nearby as are the University Hospital, Children's Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Scheie Eye Institute and the Civic Center. University City's location makes it a neighborhood for people from all walks of life, many of whom not only live but also work in the area. Center City Philadelphia is only minutes away by easy public transportation that stops right in front of the house. Philadelphia's Convention Center, downtown shopping, museums and historic sites can all be reached in less than 15 minutes.

The Gables was designed and built in 1889 by prominent Philadelphia architect Willis Hale and became the home of Dr. Egan and his family. After the doctor's death in 1901, his widow made an extensive renovation of the home, probably eliminating his offices. It was passed on to a second generation of Egans, their daughter who was married to a Broadway show producer. When she died in 1936, the home was willed to the Catholic Church. The Church renovated the home to become a boarding house for the elderly. In the 50's the use changed to accommodate a group of laywomen known as "The Grail." Then in the mid 60's the Jesuits moved in and extensively renovated the home again, taking out the Victorian influences and "modernizing." Their modernization included wall to wall carpeting, flourescent lighting, painting much of the cherry woodwork, and even building walls where walls never exited. In 1991 a local real estate agent and her husband purchased the home from the Jesuits with the idea that a bed and breakfast would be good for the neighborhood. It would also be a way to restore and save this beautiful edifice. The current owners bought the home in 1993, continued the restoration of the home and created one of the finest bed and breakfasts in Philadelphia.

The home features natural chestnut and cherry woodwork throughout the first floor parlors, dining room, and entrance foyer. Each room has oak floors with remarkable inlay of mahogany, ash, and cherry. Deep rich gemtone colors have been chosen for the walls to accentuate the woodwork. Some rooms are finely adorned with true Victorian stenciling, others with exquisite period wallpaper. An extensive collection of fine antique furniture from the late 19th century, plush oriental carpets, and minute detailing create a rich treasure for the eye in each room of the house. Guests are taken back to the beauty of the Victorian era while at the same time they can enjoy 21st century comfort of new bathrooms, cable television, internet access and much more. The gleaming oak floors with inlays invite guests into the warm, welcoming rooms. Oriental style carpets accentuate the rich pallet of color chosen for the walls. Each guest will be delighted in the comfort and beauty of the lavishly furnished and sparklingly clean rooms. Most rooms have private baths and some even have working gas fireplaces to add an ambiance of romance.

Room rates range from $115 to $185 depending on room and number of people. Rates include off-street parking on the premises and a full breakfast. All the rooms have private phones, cable television, cd player, VCR, alarm clocks, hair dryers, fine linens and plush towels. Guests can access e-mail and the internet through either the available wireless network or by using the phone for dial-up access. A computer station is also set up for guests to use who are not traveling with their personal laptop.

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