The Gables was designed and built in 1889 by prominent Philadelphia architect Willis Hale and became the home of Dr. Egan and his family. After the doctor's death in 1901, his widow made an extensive renovation of the home, probably eliminating his offices. It was passed on to a second generation of Egans, their daughter who was married to a Broadway show producer. When she died in 1936, the home was willed to the Catholic Church. The Church renovated the home to become a boarding house for the elderly. In the 50's the use changed to accommodate a group of laywomen known as "The Grail." Then in the mid 60's the Jesuits moved in and extensively renovated the home again, taking out the Victorian influences and "modernizing." Their modernization included wall to wall carpeting, fluorescent lighting, painting much of the cherry woodwork, and even building walls where walls never existed. In 1991 a local real estate agent and her husband purchased the home from the Jesuits with the idea that a bed and breakfast would be good for the neighborhood. It would also be a way to restore and save this beautiful edifice. The previous owners, Don Caskey and Warren Cederholm, bought the home in 1993, continued the restoration of the home and created one of the finest bed and breakfasts in Philadelphia. In October 2016, the legacy of The Gables continued with the new owners and innkeepers.
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 home features natural chestnut and cherry woodwork throughout the first-floor parlors, dining room, and entrance foyer. Each room has oak floors with remarkable inlay of mahogany, ash, and cherry. Deep rich gemstone colors have been chosen for the walls to accentuate the woodwork. Some rooms are finely adorned with true Victorian stenciling, others with exquisite period wallpaper. An extensive collection of fine antique furniture from the late 19th century, plush oriental carpets, and minute detailing create a rich treasure for the eye in each room of the house.
Guests are taken back to the beauty of the Victorian era while at the same time they can enjoy 21st century comfort of new bathrooms, cable television, internet access and much more.
The gleaming oak floors with 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 owners and innkeepers Rick, Cesar, John, Jose, and Jeannette 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. Lastly, we are forever indebted to the generosity of Don, Warren, and Oscar.