Open House previews luxury flat at former Moose Lodge

At a private open house preview of luxury renovations to the former Moose Lodge on Saturday, December 3, more than 75 visitors toured the upstairs flat, including Doylestown Borough’s mayor Ron Strouse, contractors who contributed to the project and members of the borough’s Historic & Architectural Review Board, which had reviewed aspects of the proposed plans before borough council signed off on such things as replacement windows and the new carport.

The event was hosted by Ernst Brothers Designers & Builders of Spring House, the niche custom design-build firm that oversaw the exterior's restoration and interior's renovations into two upscale residences.

Completion of the second floor marks the finish of a two-year renovation of “The Moose,” the iconic 1913 A. Oscar Martin brick structure that has been a Doylestown Borough landmark for over 100 years.

The second floor is a stunning 4,000sf light-filled aerie featuring two fireplaces faced with Moravian Tile, honed marble counters, high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, hardwood, tile and marble floors and spacious, well-appointed baths. Casement windows set into curved embrasures that softly pull light into every room look out to the treetops and roof lines that grace this block of East State.

“This renovation has provided us with a satisfying challenge from start to finish,” says Jake Taylor, partner with Ernst Brothers. “It allowed us to work with a piece of borough history and enhance its value to the community and future generations.

“As we took the interior down to its bare walls and brought it up to 21st century codes and standards, it’s been exciting to discover so much about Oscar Martin—one of the area’s premier architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—through his workmanship and materials.”

One discovery was the original Moravian Tile fireplace on the first floor, which contains custom-made moose tiles. That fireplace in a front room has been preserved, along with the large brick fireplace at the back of the former dining room that many guests at the Moose will remember.

The second-floor flat retains its original front-room fireplace, which has been refaced with Moravian Tile, and a new fireplace in the new den, also faced with the familiar Henry Mercer-designed tiles.

In returning the exterior to what Oscar Martin envisioned over a century ago, Ernst Brothers replaced all but one window with modern black casements. The preserved window faces west from the stairwell and makes the most of a deep sill, cast-iron muntins and a graceful arch.

The building’s façade still has the familiar moose head looking west toward Main Street, the “127” in glass above the front door and now, restored white block where stucco most recently covered the front.

The first-floor apartment is occupied by its new owners; the second floor is under contract.