Just a mile from downtown Reading, PA, sits a seven-bedroom Victorian mansion with more than 7,000 square feet.

While the house is large, the $497,000 price tag seems more than modest.

Perched at 742 Centre Avenue, the home’s location and condition make it a remarkable opportunity for the next owner.

Outstanding features in the historic dwelling include a grand foyer with a curved, oak staircase; a sandstone, gas fireplace; and the music room’s elaborate, hand-painted murals, which were completed in the 1920s by Hungarian-trained muralist Paul Daubner.

“When entering the home, you feel like you have just stepped back in time,” says listing agent Sean DeVine. “What stood out to me is that the same beautiful hardwood flooring can be seen on all three levels—not just the main floor.”

Storied estate

The building’s origins date back to 1888.

“The building was originally designed by the well-known Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, for one of the founders of The Reading Hardware Company,” DeVine says. “This property has been featured in the Centre Park Historic District’s annual garden tour, for its beautiful, private gardens.”

And while the home is more than a century old, several modern upgrades have been made throughout its storied halls.

“The heat was updated to gas, and the electric wiring—including the home’s 45 antique light fixtures—have all been updated as well,” DeVine says. “The second-floor kitchen contains modern Miele appliances.”

Accessible, ADA-compliant chair lifts were also installed at street level and to the second floor to provide better access to the multilevel residence.

Besides its spacious interiors and well-preserved craftsmanship, the home’s convenient location is another notable perk.

“Centre Avenue provides direct access to other major highways for easy commuting to surrounding cities like Lancaster and Philadelphia,” DeVine says. “Downtown Reading is a short drive and offers plenty of fine dining, concerts, and even sports events.”

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