3 Homes With Ballrooms To Dance Through The Holidays: How Much House

ACROSS AMERICA ? Some people go out on the town and dance their way through the holidays. Other people have their own ballrooms for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year?s Eve and other seasonal celebrations.

Private ballrooms flourished among prosperous families during the rise of Victorian architecture in the 1800s. They were considered an essential part of the house and were the principal place couples met and courted, or found their entry into society.

Before the aristocracy began building houses, most ballroom dancing occurred in public halls, but they had fallen out of favor by the 1840s. Hosting a ball was a sign of a society matron?s ?arrival,? according to a history of ballrooms in America.

The pendulum swung back, and the elaborate ballrooms gave way to generously sized parlors and large dining rooms. A house with a ballroom is a rare commodity. This week in How Much House, we?re featuring three such homes in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Michigan | $2,500,000

150 W. Boston Blvd., Detroit
Listed by: Austin Black II | @PropertiesDetroit
Square feet: 11,103
Acreage: 2.16 acres
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 6 (4 full)
Year built: 1915

This Albert Khan-designed limestone Italian Renaissance Revival mansion was built for upscale women?s clothier Benjamin Siegel and is located in the Boston-Edison Historic District in the heart of Detroit.

Known for exceptional details, including the huge third-floor ballroom, it has stunning woodwork, marble, Pewabic tile work, lavish paneling, muraled ceilings, stained-glass and other dramatic elements.

A fabulous wood-clad entry foyer with intricate ceiling welcomes your arrival in the main home with seven bedrooms, four full bathrooms, two half baths, and six stately fireplaces. This expansive level, perfect for entertaining, also features a reception room with curved glass doors, a generous living room and a den/library, both open to an outdoor terrace.

A gracious parlor, formal wood-paneled dining room, spectacular chef?s kitchen with granite counters and marble floors, a butler?s pantry, and two lovely sunrooms are also on the main level. The primary suite, with a sitting room, ensuite spa bath, and walk-in closet, finish the main floor.

An elevator provides access from the basement to the second floor. Along with the grand ballroom, the third floor features a game room, a sewing room, a bonus bedroom, a storage room and balcony.

A 1,303-square-foot carriage house has room for three cars, but also space for guests with two bedrooms and two full baths. A greenhouse added in 2022 boasts vaulted walls of glass and handsome brick floors in a herringbone pattern. Peek inside for more photos.

New Jersey | $3,750,000

628 Windsock Way, Moorestown
Listed by: Anthony Wilson | Agent06, LLC
Square feet: 10,924
Acreage: 0.85 acre
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 9 (5 full)
Year built: 1819

Constructed by one of Moorestown?s founding citizens, Josiah Lippincott, the hallway connecting the dining room to the grand ballroom has a replica of Paul Gauguin's iconic 1897 masterpiece, ?Where Do We Come From? What are we? Where are we going?? ? a striking, feminist interpretation of the cycle of life.

The grand ballroom itself is a sight to behold with its coffered ceilings, Tiffany crystal dome, ornate crystal chandeliers and a private mezzanine. The room exudes luxury, but the fireplace steals the show.

Meticulously revitalized over the years to maintain the original shutters, windows and doors, this iconic gem features luxurious amenities that surpass even the finest new construction. The exterior is timeless, a harmonious blend of board siding, stone and brick.

In 2002, the entire structure as relocated to its current site and substantial renovations and additions in 2007 resulted in a multi-million dollar project that makes it a one-of-a-kind home with exquisite craftsmanship, intricate mill work and stunning light fixtures in every room.

For sports enthusiasts, a carriage house has a regulation half-court basketball court complete with a digital scoreboard, breathtaking wood-paneled vaulted ceiling, and retractable walls for open-air play.

The home has two kitchens, complete with a butler?s pantry and custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances. The basement is an entertainment haven with a fully equipped bar featuring a beer tap, heating lamps and Sub-Zero appliances. There?s also a regulation two-lane bowling alley with a dedicated shoe room and a private, all-season golf simulator. Also notable are a three-floor elevator, study and office spaces, two laundry rooms and a living area above the garage. Peek inside for more photos.

Pennsylvania | $770,000

310 W. Market St., Marietta
Listed by: Vic & April Jarunas | Iron Valley Real Estate of Lancaster
Square feet: 5, 565
Acreage: 0.79 acre
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 3 (2 full)
Year built: 1853

This Italianate style house known as the Clark-Mehaffey Mansion was built by Col. John W. Clark, who sold it to lumber baron George W. Mehaffey, under whose ownership the interior was fully remodeled in the Victorian fashion. The lyre grills on the third-story windows and the brick cornices are highlights of the exterior of this home with a brick facade and hipped metal roof.

The house opens to formal reception hall with a wide-open turned and curved oval staircase. On the right is the formal parlor and ballroom with double marble fireplaces and mantels, and on the left is a family room, dining room, side entrance and kitchen.

The second floor is large and spacious with five bedrooms and two full baths. An ensuite bath brings modern comfort to the primary suite. The laundry is also on the second floor, bringing more functionality to this well-loved home.

The third floor has a full-length playroom with the inside view of the ironwork lyres in the windows, along with two more bedrooms.

Less tangible is the chance to become a steward of the past by continuing to preserve and celebrate the rich architectural heritage of a bygone era, according to the listing. Peek inside for more photos.

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