1600 Monk Rd, Gladwyne, PA 19035

Legend has it that "River House" was built for Leopold Stokowski, director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and his lover, famed film star, Greta Garbo, but following a disagreement, they never acquired the home. Instead, River House was purchased by Helen Tyson Madeira and Louis C. Madeira IV in 1940, and the Madeira family lived there for nearly three-quarters of a century. As one of the original Monk Road families, the Madeiras were able to choose their own address, and they chose 1600, after the address of the White House. Offered to the market for the first time since their initial purchase, this magnificent 7+ bedroom 7 full bath home offers exquisite detailing in both its formal and family spaces. Spectacular step down Living Room with plaster moldings, pickled trusses and exposed beams is bathed in natural light by floor to ceiling windows and French doors. Handsome library is highlighted by hand crafted American cherry paneling and a hide away wet bar. Enjoying an eastern exposure to a wide bluestone terrace, the library welcomes morning light and long views of the property's varied topography and specimen plantings. Following a wide stone hall, find an oval shaped formal dining room, with hand pegged wood floors, two exposures of light and deep storage closets, one out fitted for silver storage and the other for hanging linens. This dining room is as elegant today as when it hosted notable guests throughout the homes history. Second level provides a deluxe master suite with his and her baths and dressing rooms, three additional family or guest rooms each with en-suite baths and three additional bedrooms or sitting rooms located off the back stairs with two full baths. An exit to the outside, steps away from the four+ car garage makes this space ideal for independent living quarters. Enveloped by 25 acres of conserved pastoral, groomed and naturally landscaped grounds which connect to the bridle wild trails, the homes is a study in gracious country mansion style architecture.