A reader checked in recently, asking about an unusual building in the Fairmount neighborhood. In a neighborhood full of classic, lovely homes, 765 N 26th St. definitely catches your eye as you’re passing by due to both its architecture and its lovely hanging greenery.

The building

According to an old listing, this property was designed by architect Frank Weise, one of the people responsible for the depression of I95 as it passes through Center City. In addition, Mr. Weise was involved with the renovation and restoration of Head House Square in Society Hill in the 1970s. Weise designed several other modernist structures around town, and was known for using curved surfaces, according to his obituary from 2004.

Curved entranceway

Behind this front wall is apparently a former blacksmith’s shop, a stone barn and a Victorian house which are all connected by a glass atrium. Also in the courtyard, we’d suspect, are some trees, which you can see poking above the roofline of the front wall when standing south of the building.

Trees peeking out

The home sits on a lot that’s more than 6,000 sqft in area, and the combined living spaces exceed 3,000 sqft. The property was most recently purchased back in 2005 for $1.3M, and we can only imagine what it would be listed at if it hit the market today. It has changed hands a couple of times in the past ten years, so we’d guess that at least a couple of readers have had the chance to take a look at this property first hand. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any interior photos.

Has anyone out there had the chance to check this place out? Can anyone share some more details on what this place looks like behind the front wall?