509 Lore Ave, Wilmington, DE 19809

The Chambers Mansion, c. 1894, is a glorious example of the Victorian Queen Anne style. Built by Miss Marion Clark on 16 acres running down to the Delaware River, it was on the trolley line from Wilmington to Downingtown PA. With a wrap-around porch, 2 turrets, 2 balconies and a widow's walk on the roof, the home has 2 parlors, a library with oak paneling. There are also ceiling medallions and plaster crown molding, as well as a side entrance leading to a porte cochere. The graceful mahogany stair rail leads up to 4 bedrooms, a large central hallway, 2 baths and an anteroom or dressing room. An enclosed staircase leads up to the English Tudor style great room with Mercer tile fireplace (there are 2 in the house) once used as a performance space. A great house just gotten greater! If you ever saw this house pre-2016, be prepared for a total basement renovation! Yes, there are still the original stone walls, but they have been parged and coated with a smooth white surface. The old concrete floor is gone, replaced with a modern new floor, French drain, and sump pump. All the old wood room dividers are gone, leaving one glorious large space. There is a new deck and the pond in back has been removed and grass planted. And don't forget original Queen Anne architecture, an all new electrical system, gas heating and air conditioning on the first floor, and the second and third floor rooms with individual mini-splits which control heat and A/C for that room.