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 19th 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. The easy access to public transportation makes center city only minutes away. Philadelphia's Convention Center, downtown shopping, and the historic sites can all be reached in less than 15 minutes.

The Gables is an award winning Victorian mansion that provides the choice of ten guest rooms most with private baths. Each room features magnificent period antiques and wireless internet, phones, dataports, cable TV along with room controlled air conditioning and heat is also featured. A full breakfast is served each morning. Free parking is available on the premises. Easy public transportation gets you in center city in 12 minutes.

The owners and innkeepers Don Caskey and Warren Cederholm are dedicated to making your stay in their home as comfortable and gracious as you might expect when you step back into the era of Victorian Splendor.

History and Décor:

The Gables was designed by prominent Philadelphia architect Willis Hale in 1889 and became the home for the Egan family from its construction until about 1936. This exuberant red brick 16 room Queen Anne Victorian sits convenient to transportation on the corner of Chester Avenue at 46th Street in the University City section of Philadelphia.

The home features natural chestnut and cherry woodwork throughout the first floor sitting rooms, grand entry hall and large dining room. Guests may relax and socialize in these rooms decorated in period furnishings. Each day homemade muffins, fruit, cereal and other breakfast goodies are served along with juice, coffee, and hot tea.

Guests are often found sitting on the magnificent wrap-around porch or in the garden reading the morning paper or perhaps a good book selected from the many available throughout the house. The yard with its ever blooming perennial garden is a favorite spot shaded by a stately old Norway maple and blossoming dogwood, Japanese cherry, crab apple and magnolia.

The gleaming oak floors with intricate 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.

Rooms:

Room rates include off-street parking on the premises and a full breakfast. All the rooms have private phones and easy hookup to the internet, cable television, alarm clocks, fine linens and plush towels. Public transportation is available right in front of the house. Shuttle or taxi service to and from the airport or train station is easily arranged.

The Victorian Suite:

Boasts a queen sized brass bed, the original tile bath with soaking tub, shower and pedestal sink, and a private glassed in sitting porch with wicker furniture and television. Second floor.

The Tower Room:

This room has a working gas fireplace and private bath. Queen sized brass bed, oak armoire and glass bookcases with a Victorian settee and rocker set in the sunny turret. Second floor.

The Garden Room:

The Garden Room features a high Victorian double bed, intricate walnut dresser, comfortable Morris chair and tapestried rocker, private bath with glassed in shower. Second floor.

The East Room:

Victorian brass double bed, a reading area set in front of the decorative fireplace, complete with victrola, private sink, shares the hall bath. Second floor.

The South Room:

Two single antique brass beds and a sofa is very large and cheery. There is a Victorian armoire and dressing table. This room shares the adjacent hall bath. Second floor.

The Blue Willow Room:

Located on the third floor, has a private bath, queen sized bed, gas fireplace and grand turret windows. An antique armoire and wrought iron table and chairs adds to the charm and beauty.

The Country Willow Room:

Also located on the third floor is decorated in Country Victorian. It has a queen sized wrought iron bed with mahogany armoire and Italian marble bath.

The Library:

Features oak furnishings including a double bed, dresser and tables and an upholstered sofa. This room also has a marble bath. Third floor.

The Egan Room:

Named for the family that built the house is furnished with a wrought iron double bed, armoire, dresser and comfortable chair. There is a sink in the room and a private bath in the hall. Third floor.

The Christmas Room:

A spacious third floor room decorated year round for a Victorian Christmas. Mahogany armoire and dresser, antique queen sized brass bed, sitting area and a private bath.

The First Floor:

Private parties, receptions, and seminars may be hosted in the sitting and dining rooms or in the yard using your own caterer. The rental fee for such an occasion is determined by the number of guests.

Directions:

The Gables is a short taxi or shuttle ride from either the Philadelphia International Airport or from the train station at 30th Street.

The #13 trolley of SEPTA's Green Line stops right out front of the house and is just 5 minutes to the University and 12 minutes to Center City and the historic district.

By car, it is less than 5 minutes from South Street, exit #346A, The South Street Exit. From the exit, head away from Center City toward The University of Pennsylvania. Keep straight on Spruce Street. Turn left at 42nd Street. Proceed 3 blocks. At the stop sign turn right on Chester Avenue. Continue on Chester through Clark Park.

The Gables is at 4520 Chester Avenue, on the left at the end of the first residential block after the park. It can easily be recognized on the corner of 46th by the large wrap-around porch and glowing candles in the window.

For convenient off-street parking, turn left onto 46th Street and left into the driveway behind the house. Walk through the side yard to the front entrance via the wrap-around porch to ring the front door bell. There you will be welcomed by the hosts.