UPDATED:
Key Details
Property Type Single Family Home
Sub Type Detached
Listing Status Coming Soon
Purchase Type For Sale
Square Footage 5,542 sqft
Price per Sqft $92
Subdivision Not In Development
MLS Listing ID 776136
Style Victorian,Historic/Antique
Bedrooms 6
Full Baths 3
Half Baths 1
HOA Y/N No
Abv Grd Liv Area 5,542
Year Built 1880
Annual Tax Amount $14,068
Lot Size 0.705 Acres
Acres 0.705
Lot Dimensions 141x195x190x171
Property Sub-Type Detached
Property Description
Step into living history. Known as The Elverson House, this magnificent 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath Queen Anne granite manor is one of the crown jewels of Catasauqua's iconic Mansion Historic District — a neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1890 and constructed of native green West Chester granite, this extraordinary residence was commissioned as a wedding gift by industrialist James W. Fuller Jr. for his daughter and her husband, Joseph Sketchley Elverson — a prominent Lehigh Valley engineer, chemist, and executive whose name was literally immortalized in the industrial alloy "Elverite." The deed conveys two individual tracts of the original Fuller family estate, adding a layer of historical and legal significance rarely found in a single residential transaction.
This is a true diamond in the rough — a rare opportunity for the visionary buyer ready to restore one of the valley's most storied homes to its full glory. The property has most recently been configured to accommodate the accessibility needs of its owner and will benefit from updating and the removal of those modifications, allowing the next steward to reveal the spectacular bones and period details that lie beneath.
From the moment you arrive, the home commands attention: a sweeping wrap-around porch, a dramatic turret, and an air of Victorian grandeur simply unmatched in the valley. Enter through oversized double doors into an elegant vestibule, then pass through leaded-glass doors into a breathtaking grand foyer anchored by a tiled fireplace, rich natural woodwork, and gleaming original floors. A magnificent oak staircase rises from the foyer, anchored at the base by a beautifully crafted ornate pier mirror — a showpiece that has welcomed guests for over 130 years.
The home offers an impressive 5,542 sq. ft. of above-grade living space, plus an additional 1,781 sq. ft. of basement — over 7,300 total sq. ft. of potential. The interiors are a masterclass in Victorian craftsmanship: stenciled pine floors, a stone fireplace in the master suite, a gracious center hall plan, and generously proportioned formal rooms throughout. Five spacious bedrooms and 3.5 baths provide both grandeur and everyday livability. The leaded glass, tiled hearths, and original millwork reflect the quality of a home built to endure — all awaiting your personal restoration touch.
Major capital improvements have already been completed for you: a recently updated furnace and a new roof provide peace of mind and a solid foundation for your renovation investment.
Outside, mature trees and lush landscaping frame a park-like presence befitting the property's estate origins. The turret, wrap-around porch, and granite façade make this an unmistakable landmark along one of the most coveted blocks in the historic district.
Catasauqua Borough requires no municipal resale inspection. Minutes from Routes 22 and 78, the Lehigh Valley corridor, and all area amenities. Properties of this scale, history, and architectural integrity rarely come to market — and none come with greater potential. Bring your vision. The Elverson House is ready for its next chapter.
Location
State PA
County Lehigh
Community Curbs, Sidewalks
Area Catasauqua
Direction Howertown Rd to West on Bridge St to Right on 4th St to house on the right, or From Whitehall Pine St to Right on 4th St to house on the Left
Rooms
Basement Full
Interior
Interior Features Attic, Breakfast Area, Dining Area, Separate/Formal Dining Room, Entrance Foyer, Eat-in Kitchen, Home Office, Kitchen Island, Mud Room, Storage, Utility Room
Heating Baseboard, Electric, Oil, Steam
Cooling Ceiling Fan(s)
Flooring Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, Resilient, Softwood, Tile, Vinyl
Fireplaces Type Living Room
Fireplace Yes
Window Features Screens,Storm Window(s)
Appliance Dishwasher, Electric Water Heater
Laundry Upper Level
Exterior
Exterior Feature Fence, Porch, Patio
Parking Features On Street
Fence Yard Fenced
Community Features Curbs, Sidewalks
Utilities Available Cable Available
Water Access Desc Public
Roof Type Asphalt,Fiberglass
Street Surface Paved
Porch Covered, Patio, Porch
Road Frontage Public Road
Building
Lot Description Corner Lot, Flat, Not In Subdivision
Story 2
Sewer Public Sewer
Water Public
Level or Stories Two and One Half
Schools
School District Catasauqua
Others
Senior Community No
Tax ID 640900612638 1
Security Features Closed Circuit Camera(s),Smoke Detector(s)
Special Listing Condition None
Virtual Tour https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=yFxkNjWmEBh&mls=1