By Jessica Flint | Photographs by Will Figg for WSJ

Just west of Philadelphia is the Main Line, a roughly 15-mile-long stretch of suburbs where, around the turn of the 20th century, wealthy Philadelphians built grand country estates near the Pennsylvania Railroad as its Main Line rail line expanded outside the city. Today, this region still exudes affluence, as evidenced by Gladwyne, an approximately 5-square-mile community with historic mansions on large acreages. With a median home listing price of $3.7 million in February 2025, Gladwyne's 19035 ZIP Code has Pennsylvania's priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com. ( News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates Realtor.com.) As one of the first Main Line communities outside the city, Gladwyne's desirability is buoyed by its easy access: to good schools, to other Main Line points of interest, such as shopping, and to trains, including those to New York and Washington, D.C.

Gladwyne has a small commercial center with a grocery store, post office, pharmacy and hardware shop.

Homeroom

Chef Henry Morgan opened this neighborhood cafe in 2022. The interior design is simple, but the breakfast and lunch food is artfully plated. Its small boutique, Shoproom, stocks minimalist design objects.

Cleopetras of the Main Line

This all-breed dog grooming salon offers custom shampoo and conditioning baths followed by blow-drying done by hand. Dog visits can also include nail trimming and ear cleaning. It's a no-crate environment where pets can free roam.

Gladwyne Free Library

Founded in 1931, this library is in a two-story stone building built in 1921. It houses a Pennsylvania Collection, which has 1,400 books dedicated to local and state history.

The Union League Guard House

This restaurant dates back to 1790. In 2017, it was purchased by the Union League of Philadelphia, a private club founded in 1862. It now serves as a members-only dining room.

Saunders Woods Preserve

This 25-acre wooded nature preserve, owned and managed by the nonprofit Natural Lands, has pedestrian and equestrian trails that meander through woods, a meadow and by a creek. A few are part of the Bridlewild Trails system, which is a network of paths through Gladwyne.

Membership to have

Gladwyne's Philadelphia Country Club was founded in 1890. It has 27 holes of golf, a pool, racket sports, trap and skeet shooting, a gym, bowling, dining and children's programming.

Events of the year

Gladwyne has old-fashioned traditions. On Memorial Day, the Gladwyne Civic Association hosts a classic parade, which includes children riding on or in decorated bicycles, wagons and strollers as well as classic cars and fire trucks. On Christmas Eve, members of the Gladwyne Fire Company accompany Santa Claus through community streets while passing out candy canes and fruit to children and adults.

Gladwyne's approximate population: 4,000

Median List Price: $3.7 million (up 21% year-over-year)

Median days on market: 136

Median price per square foot: $479

Active Listings: 12 (up 50% year-over-year)

Source: Realtor.com (February 2025)

This house was built in 1920. The primary suite has his and hers baths, a sitting area and a library balcony overlooking a two-story family room. The walk-out lower level has a bar, gym and home theater with stadium seating. There is a two-bedroom guesthouse. The grounds have a pool, pavilion and a golf green with three separate tee boxes. There is a four car garage. Agent: Robin Gordon, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices -- Fox & Roach Haverford.

This house was built in 2024 using glass, stone, wood and steel. The foyer has an interior pool within a two-story atrium. The first level has retractable glass walls and stone floors imported from India. A wellness area has a sauna, wet room and gym. Outside, there is an infinity pool and landscaped gardens. Views are of the Philadelphia Country Club's golf course. Agent: Lavinia Smerconish, Compass.

Built in 1885, this house has historic craftsmanship is apparent throughout. The living room's original paneling was sourced from an 18th century German castle. The dining room has a fireplace and ceiling with plaster detailing. A paneled study has a hidden passage to the kitchen. A stone terrace has a swimming pool; there are manicured gardens. Agent: Lavinia Smerconish, Compass.

Advice for the buyer

"Gladwyne used to be thought of as old Main Line mansions and estates, and it still is that, but there is more architectural diversity now," says Lisa Yakulis, a real-estate agent with Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty, based in Main Line's Bryn Mawr. New builds over the last 30 to 40 years have created different ages and styles of homes. Additionally, since the pandemic, the Main Line has seen an influx of out-of-state buyers. "You can get more for your money than you can in the metro areas of cities outside of the state," says Yakulis, who notes that some homeowners commute into New York and D.C. As such, Gladwyne's inventory is tight. "Properties can move within a day if they are priced right," she says. "You want to be well-educated on the market so you can move quickly."

Write to Jessica Flint at Jessica.Flint@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 30, 2025 21:00 ET (01:00 GMT)

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