THE BARNHOUSE PROPERTY. Custom made or hand made is used to describe every inch of the interior and exterior of this marvelously converted barn only 5 minutes from downtown Emmaus. The property is 5 acres. The northern section of the property, just over 2 acres, is south facing slope. It is forested primarily with tulip poplar, oak, maple, hickory and dogwood. In the early spring, you might find morel mushrooms hidden amongst the leafy forest floor. The south sect. is approx. 2 acres, is mostly grass field with an assortment of oaks, maples and dogwoods adjacent to Vera Cruz Rd at the bottom of the lot. Tucked in a hollow, you’ll find solar panels that provide power to cover nearly 2/3 of annual electric costs. The property has an agricultural feel, yet, just over There are many bird species present, including cardinals, red tailed hawks, hummingbirds and the occasional oriole. The land is situated in a mostly wooded Conservation Zoning District along South Mountain with designated 5-acre minimum parcels. This special zoning designation is intended to preclude development and maintain the hillside in its natural state.
The residence is a converted stone bank barn that was built sometime around 1810. It includes 3 stories on the southeast facing side and 2 on the uphill, bank side. Starting in 1998, the owners conceived and designed the conversion of this historic structure with energy efficiency and sustainability as guiding principles. It is a unique living space. The interior is spacious with exposed timbers and ceiling joists employing natural and reclaimed materials, largely sourced from the property. There are many windows, most of which are set in the stone walls and characterized by deep window sills with room enough to sit in. The building is approximately 2700 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. There’s one bath on each floor, 2 beds upstairs, one on the main floor and one on the bottom floor. The spacious main floor includes the kitchen, dining area, the living room and the primary bedroom and bath. Much of the main floor is open ceiling, 27 feet high at its peak. The heating and cooling source is a geothermal system, which is highly efficient. Radiant floor heat makes the downstairs and main floors slightly warm to the touch in the winter. In the summer, cold water is sent to an air handler on the top floor which cycles air across copper coils and sends the cool air out into the main space and into the bedrooms. There is an efficient free-standing wood burning on the main floor as a backup in case the power goes out or if you just want to watch the flame on a cold evening. There’s enough seasoned wood from the property, already split and stacked, to cover 2 winter seasons.
The driveway runs from the street, across the front of the residence to a large garage that is plank wood painted barn red. The driveway is composed of approximately 7000 reclaimed cobblestones, most of which came from the Hoboken Rail Yards and the rest from the streets of Philadelphia. Surrounding the house on all sides is landscaping composed mostly of native plants that exhibit year round interest. Witchhazel blooms in February, followed by crocus, narcissus, hellebore, dogwood, service berry, lilac and much more. There’s an outdoor seating area in the former barnyard that is surrounded by low stone walls and shaded by a cantilevered trellis of concord grape. The view out the large dining window towards the south east encompasses the field and a wooded ridge in the distance. The scene is spectacular in the fall. The road at the base of the property, Vera Cruz Road, was initially a route used by indigenous people of the area.
The Barnhouse Property is the kind of place you are happy to return to no matter where you’ve been. It is a perfect place to entertain large groups or small. Anyone who visits, appreciates the s