Meridian Bank House of the Week: A Unique Doylestown Property amid Real Estate’s Current Three-Ring Circus
If you’re a Bucks County house-hunter looking for something special amid what feels like a three-ring circus of property visits, inspections, offers, counteroffers, and paperwork, a local listing may be of interest.
The home at 2512 Durham Road, Doylestown, offers a wholly appropriate opportunity.
It once belonged to Howard Yonkers Bary, a circus proprietor and agent who gathered attractions and animals for various circuses — including Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey — from the 1940s to the 1960s.
In fact, several animals were housed onsite here, giving it the unofficial nickname the “Buckingham Zoological Garden.”
The 1920s stone manor — the benefactor of numerous updates since then — is surrounded by 8.5 acres of woodlands.
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Its solid construction reflects its heritage, with solid-wood paneling and original wood floors.
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The light-filled family room used to be a paddock with two-foot stone walls between the house and the garage, and in 1967, it was enclosed. It has beamed ceilings, a huge stone wood burning fireplace and access to a half bath and the rear yard and built-in pool.
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The updated kitchen offers granite counters, newer cabinetry, and stainless appliances and sits next to the roomy first-floor laundry room.
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The dining room is a warm place to entertain, with its stained wood paneling, wood floors, and rustic chandelier.
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Past there lies the sun room/solarium with beautiful stone walls and windows overlooking the woods. Through double doors lies the living room with a gas fireplace flanked by built in bookshelves and offers glass doors leading to a large front porch.
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Upstairs there are five good-sized bedrooms. The main bedroom has a full bath and an additional adjacent bedroom that has ben turned into a dream walk-in closet.
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The other bedrooms offer charm, privacy, and flexibility (evidenced by one’s use as an office).
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Given that the natural surroundings shield the property nicely, the pool becomes perfect for both relaxation and rejuvenation, far from the bustle of nearby life.
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.Given that animals were a large part of the original owner’s life, it’s not surprising that the barn is spacious enough for a horse owner. And the home has an on-property dog run.
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2512 Durham Road lists for $1,200,000, which means that interested buyers will need to hurry-hurry-hurry with an offer.
More details on this opportunity are at Realtor.com.
Additional installments of the Meridian Bank House of the Week are in the BUCKSCO Today archives.
