A condo in a historic building in Wayne for $825,000

Growing up in Wayne, Joanne Lewers was always intrigued by the 1867 mansion nestled in the midst of downtown.

Built by J. Henry Askin, one of the founders of Wayne, it was named Louella House, after his daughters Louise and Ella.

The mansion would go through several incarnations — summer residence, girls’ school, and apartment building. But when the Main Line builder Cass Holloway planned to renovate it into condos, Lewers pounced.

“As soon as the unit became available, I was in there,” says Lewers, a lawyer practicing in Philadelphia. “I thought [the mansion] was kind of imposing. A little bit of mystery always surrounded it.”

Lewers has lived there for eight years, but now she is trading the intriguing for the familiar: She is buying the house she grew up in from her mother’s estate.

The first floor of the two-bedroom, two-bath condo has plantation shutters and dark oak floors throughout. Living room ceilings are more than 10 feet high with custom millwork and a gas fireplace, with easy access to an outdoor covered flagstone patio.

The eat-in kitchen has an exposed brick accent wall from the original mansion, an island with seating, stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and granite countertops.

The primary bedroom has a large walk-in closet, marble bath, and a sitting area with floor-to-ceiling built-ins.

The second bedroom has a full bath and a stackable washer/dryer in a laundry closet.

Total square footage is 1,500.

The unit includes two deeded underground parking spaces and a separate storage unit in the basement with convenient elevator access.

Common areas include a pool table, fitness room, wine storage, and bike storage.

The unit is listed by Marie Gordon of Compass Realty for $825,000. Condo fees are $1,014 a month.