The Gables
A Victorian Bed & Breakfast in University City

Featured in the December 2002 issue of Victorian Homes Magazine

Winner of The Historical Society's Outstanding Preservation Award and Philadelphia Magazine's Best of Philly Award 1996 "Best Urban Getaway"

Winner of 2009 "Best of Philadelphia Bed and Breakfast" United States Commerce Association

Winner for two consecutive years, 2009+2010, Best Bed and Breakfast in Philadelphia, US Commerce Association

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 last 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.

Philadelphia Museum of Art · Academy of Natural Sciences · Franklin Institute Science Museum · Historic Bartram's Garden · Longwood Gardens · Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library · Historical Society of Pennsylvania · Library Company of Philadelphia · Pennsylvania Horticultural Society · Philadelphia Flower Show · Morris Arboretum · Theatre · University City Historical Society

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.

Over the last 10 years, this beautiful home has undergone extensive renovations and restoration to become one of the finest Bed and Breakfasts in Philadelphia.

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.

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.

The Gables has gone green. We are now recycling, using all green cleaning supplies, supplying water (but not in those individulized plastic bottles), purchasing wind energy, using front load washers and on demand hot water in the kitchen, energy saving light bulbs where we can and being very conscious of products that we purchase. We are in discussion with a contractor to install solar panels on the roof and set that as a project for 2010.

"Breathtaking... The Gables far surpassed our expectations." Jim and Janet Hendry, Burlington, VT

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. "A lovely experience, like staying in a private home of very hospitable friends." Sara & Mohamed Cairo, Egypt

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 off of Route 76 Expressway. 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.