Award-Winning Historic Renovation at Charles Thomas Residences

As a real estate development company, we are passionate about preserving historic buildings.

Our work at the Fairview Manor House, a Gothic Victorian-style mansion built in 1877 by noted architect Addison Hutton, was recognized with West Whiteland Township’s Historic Preservation Award. Hutton designed many prominent residences in the Philadelphia area, as well as courthouses, libraries, hospitals, and significant additions to campuses including the Westtown School, Swarthmore College, Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, and Lehigh University.

Fairview, which sits on over 5 acres in Exton, PA, was a wedding gift to Charles Thomas, a gentleman farmer, hunter and horticulturist. The mansion was crafted of blue limestone from Thomas Bros. Quarry. Additional buildings on the site include carriage house, which was completely rebuilt, as well as a small building called the “doll” house, which most likely provided servant living spaces at some point.

Above: Charles Thomas stands in front of the blue limestone mansion built in 1877.

When Core Development purchased the building, it was in need of full interior gut renovation. We embarked on a multi-year renovation process, working closely with the historic commission and maintaining as many of the original features as possible while rehabilitating the stone mansion into upscale residential apartment units now known as the Charles Thomas Residences.

Learn more about the history of Fairview here.

Above: The Charles Thomas Residences offer original historic details with luxurious modern updates.